Cidade Turismo
Greece

Before you go

Your trip to Patras.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Patras – Grécia Ocidental Destination Peloponeso Capital

How to get there

  • Aeroporto Internacional de Atenas Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) Atenas · 220 km
  • Aeroporto de Araxos (GPA) Araxos · 40 km
  • Rodoviária KTEL de Patras (KTEL Achaias) 1 km
  • Porto novo de Patras, terminal das balsas (Neo Limani Patron) 3 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. The most used international airport is Athens, about 220 km away; from there you can take a KTEL bus or drive via the Olympia Odos motorway, in about 2h30 to 3 hours. Araxos airport, around 40 km away, has seasonal flights. Ferries from Italy—Bari, Brindisi, Ancona and Veneza—arrive at the new port, south of the center. From northern Greece you reach Patras by the Ionian road and via the Rio–Antirrio bridge.

How many days

One day is enough for the church of Santo André, Georgiou I Square, the Roman odeon and the castle. With two days you can add the archaeological museum, the Achaia Clauss winery and the Rio–Antirrio bridge, with Rio Castle. Patras is also a good base for Olímpia, about 2 hours away.

When to go

From April to June and from September to October the weather is mild, good for climbing to the castle and walking. July and August are hot. The carnival takes place in the weeks before the Orthodox Lent, usually between February and March, and the city fills up.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For the city centre, no: the lower town, the stairways, the castle and the church of Santo André are all within walking distance, and city buses cover the rest. A car helps for the Achaia Clauss winery, the Rio–Antirrio bridge and Olímpia, but the bridge and Rio Castle can also be reached by suburban train or bus.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Patras
  1. Morning
    Church of Santo André

    Start at the new church of Santo André, on the seafront, which houses the apostle’s reliquary and the X-shaped cross. Beside it is the old 19th-century church and the well at the site of the martyrdom.

  2. Afternoon
    Roman odeon and castle

    Climb the stairways to the upper town to the Roman odeon, restored and still used for performances, then continue to the castle atop the hill, with views over the gulf and the mountains on the far side.

  3. Late afternoon
    Agios Nikolaos stairway and Georgiou I Square

    Descend the stairway on Agios Nikolaos street, with the sea in the background, down to Georgiou I Square, featuring the Apollon theatre and the fountains.

  4. Evening
    Riga Feraiou Street and waterfront

    Dine in the tavernas in the centre, around Riga Feraiou Street and the pedestrian streets, or on the waterfront near the lighthouse.

2 days in Patras

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Church of Santo André

    New and old churches of Santo André, with the apostle’s relics.

  2. Afternoon
    Roman odeon and castle

    Ascent to the upper town, Roman odeon and castle.

  3. Late afternoon
    Georgiou I Square

    Descent via the Agios Nikolaos stairway to Georgiou I Square and the Apollon theatre.

  4. Evening
    Centre

    Dinner in the pedestrian streets of the centre.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Archaeological museum

    Visit the archaeological museum in the north of the city, with Roman mosaics and rooms about public and private life in ancient Patras.

  2. Afternoon
    Rio–Antirrio bridge and Rio Castle

    Head north to Rio, about 8 km away, and see the cable-stayed bridge that crosses the Gulf of Corinth. Next to it is Rio Castle, a waterside fortress.

  3. Late afternoon
    Achaia Clauss

    By car, drive up into the hills southeast of the city to the Achaia Clauss winery, with stone buildings and old cellars. Check visiting hours in advance.

  4. Evening
    Rio waterfront

    Have dinner at one of the fish tavernas on Rio’s promenade, with the illuminated bridge.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Athens to Patras?

By KTEL bus or by car via the Olympia Odos motorway, in about 2h30 to 3 hours. It’s roughly 220 km.

Can you go from Patras to Italy by ferry?

Yes. Ferries depart from the new port to Bari, Brindisi, Ancona and Veneza, some stopping in Igoumenitsa. Check schedules and operators before you go.

When is the Patras carnival?

In the weeks before the Orthodox Lent, generally between February and March. The date changes each year; check before you go.

Is Patras a good base for Olímpia?

Yes. Olímpia is about 2 hours by car along the coastal road. You can also go by bus, with a change in Pyrgos.

What to see in Patras in one day?

The church of Santo André, the Roman odeon, the castle on the hill and Georgiou I Square with the Apollon theatre.

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