Patra

Introducing Patra

The largest city in the Peloponnese and Achaïa’s capital, Patra is named after King Patreas, who ruled Achaïa around 1100 BC. Despite an eventful 3000 years of history, Patra is not considered the most compelling destination in the Peloponnese; most travellers pass straight through, boarding or disembarking from boats that sail between here, Italy and the Ionian Islands.

Yet those who do stay a night or two will find a cosmopolitan city with a vibrant café and clubbing scene (helped by the presence of Patra’s 40, 000 university students), plus a busy arts and culture community.

Patra is not beautiful – the cityscape is dominated by bland 1950s concrete tenements that squat between the few surviving 19th-century neoclassical buildings – but behind the scruffy port, Patra scrubs up better these days.

The city has attractive plazas and architectural landmarks, such as the Apollon Theatre and, nearby, the impressive, shiny Rio–Andirio suspension bridge, linking the city with western continental Greece.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009