Welcome to Patra
Most travellers head to Patra for the ferry port only. But there's worse things you could do than spend a night here.
Top experiences in Patra
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We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
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Patra activities
Athens to Archaia and Mycinae or Corinth: 2-Day Private Tour
Day 1 After pickup at your hotel, cruise ship or Airport by your private & informative tour driver, sit back & relax in one of our new Black Mercedes E Class, AudiA6 or Mercedes Minibus models with full leather & Wifi as you set off towards the Peloponnese with a stop at the famous Corinth canal as your guide informs you on its long and interesting role in history before continuing to either site of your choice; the UNESCO site of Mycenae or Ancient Corinth (specify during booking). At the archaeological site of the ancient city of Corinth you can see the remains of this powerful city state which once rivaled Athens in wealth & influence throughout the ancient world. Surviving remains include its Temple of Apollo, Roman baths, and the step from where St. Paul preached to the Corinthians in 52 A.D, and there is a wonderful on site museum. If choosing the site of Mycenae we will visit the ancient citadel of Mycenae and its acropolis and see the Cyclopean walls, the Lion Gates, its streets & ancient buildings, and the Palace and impressive tomb of Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks against the Trojans. The ‘Mycenian period’, from 1600 to 1100 BC, in reference to this ancient city, indicates how important its influence was in early Greek civilization & this visit provides a real connection to development of the later ‘classical period’. With all historical background and context provided along the way you will have ample time to enjoy the site before heading through the olive fields and Peloponnese coast line for the rest of the way to your boutique hotel in the historic center of the old city of Patra and a perfect location. After you are settled in you can enjoy all the sights & sounds of Greece's third largest city & regional capital, inhabited from late bronze age with ancient & modern highlights from a Roman Castle, ancient theater & lighthouse to the bustling & vibrant shopping area.Day 2 After breakfast we take the short drive to the hills above the city to the world famous Archaia Clauss Winery set in a truly beautiful location with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside among surrounding vinyards. At the winery we will have the chance to take a tour around the various historic buildings whilst the history of this winery is discussed. Set at a very relaxed pace there is also a sampling of the various wines produced with an expert guide from the winery and with plenty of time to walk around the grounds and purchase from the winery shop if desired. After lunch our return passes by the outstanding Rio-Antirio suspension bridge connecting the peninsula with mainland Greece which we finally leave in the distance as you enjoy the sea views and Peloponnese scenery as you return after one of the highlights of your experience in Greece.
7-Day Private Tour of the Peloponnese Including the Mani Peninsula
ITINERARY IN BRIEF DAY1. Departing from Athens, Corinth Canal, Epidaurus (UNESCO), Ancient Mycenae (UNESCO), Medieval Nafplion DAY2. Medieval Monemvasia DAYS 3 & 4. The Mani Peninsula DAY5. Sparta, Ancient Messini, Mystras (UNESCO) DAY6. Ancient Olympia (UNESCO) DAY7. Patra city, (Achaia Clauss Winery option), Ancient Corinth & return to Athens DAY1. From your hotel or cruise ship terminal you will travel in style in one of our new model black Mercedes E Class or AudiA6 vehicles with full leather & WiFi as your informative driver takes you north from Athens for our first stop to see the impressive Corinth Canal & learn of its short but eventful history before continuing to see many of the most significant and unique sites in Greece in your first day. Our next stop explores the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Sanctuary of Asklepios and working Theater of Epidaurus with its amazing acoustics (you are welcome to recite poetry or sing opera in the center circle if you wish!), to the UNESCO listed site of Ancient Mycenae with its palace of Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks in the Trojan war, its awe inspiring ‘beehive’ tombs & first class museum. , In the afternoon we reach the historic Nafplio & first capital of modern Greece with its dominating Palamidi castle overlooking the Venetian quarter now housing many local crafts shops which are a joy to explore. After checking into your hotel you are free to dine in one of the seafront taverns in view of the impressive Bourtzi fortress lying in the bay. DAY2. After enjoying an unhurried breakfast, we continue south for around three hours to Monemvasia. Originally separated from the mainland by an earthquake, this Gibraltar like rock was an ideal inaccessible natural fortress for settlement in the 6th century by the local inhabitants seeking protection from Slavic invaders in the 6th century. Sitting on a plateau 100 meters above sea level you will find a remarkable walled city, constructed and added to by the Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans until its liberation in the Greek War of Independence in the early 19th century. Originally only reachable by ship, we can now traverse the long narrow causeway onto the rock & up to the imposing walled entrance where we must continue on foot into the old and well preserved city. After checking in to one of the many charming converted guesthouses you are free to wander the living history of its twisting labyrinthine streets, heritage buildings, multi colored bougainvillea covered guesthouses and sea views. DAY3. From Monemvasia we travel around 3 hours deeper into the Peloponnese for 2 days dedicated to the Mani Peninsula. DAYS 5 to 7 We continue our journey & explore the sites of Messini, Mystras, Ancient Olympia, Patra city, Achaia Clauss Winery, and Ancient Corinth before your return to Athens.
Athens to Peloponnese Wines and Ancient Corinth Private Tour
DAY-1 From your Hotel, Cruise ship, Airport or other location, start your tour in comfort in one of our new model black Mercedes E-Class, AudiA6 or Mercedes minivan vehicles with full leather & free WiFi as your informative driver takes you West towards the Peloponnese with a short stop at the famous Corinth canal to learn of its interesting role in history before continuing to the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth. Depictions of grapes, vines and wine cups that adorned coins & artwork from Corinth attest to its importance in Ancient Greek life & Corinth was a significant point of trade and connection at the time with colonies and other regions importing wine & vines for cultivation. Under the shadow of the Temple of Apollo explore its streets, temples, workshops & markets in the footsteps of the ancients before continuing to the Namea region where Viticulture has been recorded for over 2000 years. Arriving at our first winery (normally Domain Lafazanis) we join one of the skilled Oenologists for an hour’s private tour and tasting and with a ready palate take a short drive to the Medieval city of Nafplion. Enjoy wandering its pretty streets & lunch with the sea view to Bourtzi castle in the bay before continuing to our second winery (normally Domain Bairaktaris) chosen to expand on the range of the first and once again allowing you to experience the unique wines derived from the local varieties such as the aromatic Moschofilero & the noble Agiorgitiko. Finally, we arrive at the Western Peloponnese city of Patra to settle into your central 4-star or boutique hotel in the historic center of the old city of Patra and a perfect location from which to explore all the sights & sounds of Greece's third largest city & regional capital.DAY-2 After breakfast we take the short drive to the hills above the city to the world famous Archaia Clauss Winery with magnificent views of the countryside and its surrounding vineyards. At the winery we will have a guided tour around its various historic buildings whilst the history of this winery is discussed and enjoy a sampling of the various wines produced with plenty of time to walk around the grounds and purchase from the winery shop if desired.After lunch we continue eastwards to stop at the UNESCO site of Ancient Mycenae to visit the ancient citadel and its acropolis and see the Cyclopean walls, the Lion Gates, its streets & ancient buildings, and the Palace and impressive tomb of Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks against the Trojans. The ‘Mycenian period’, from 1600 to 1100 BC, in reference to this ancient city, indicates how important its influence was in early Greek civilization & our route provides a great opportunity to see yet another gem set in the Peloponnese to complete the highlights of our trip before returning you to your Athens Hotel or onward location.
4 Days Private Tour - Argolida, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora
ItineraryDay 1: ArgolidaStop At: Corinth Canal, Corinth, Corinthia Region, PeloponneseThe tour stars with a drive to the Corinth Canal following the coast of the western suburbs of Athens through Olympia Highway. On the way you will have a view of some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis (where the historical naval battle was held between the Athenians and Persians 480 BCE). Our first stop is going to be the Corinth Canal. Opened in 1892 and separating the Peloponnese peninsula from the rest of Greece and connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. You will have time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge to admire the canal closer, (if you’re game) on some days bungee jumping is an option.Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Corinth, Corinthia Region, PeloponneseBack on the road again it will be a short drive to Ancient Corinth. The old city dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth and the old Castle, which happens to be the oldest and largest castle in southern Greece. Ancient Corinth, located at the foot of the hill includes the Roman Agora of Corinth, the temple of God Apollo and a small museum. Apart from its archaeological and historical interest though the site is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece. In this amazing place the Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of that period. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Mycenaean Cemetary, Aidonia, Corinthia Region, PeloponneseContinuing, after a short drive we will reach Mycenae, the site that changed everything we thought we knew about of Mycenae, dated back to the 2nd Millennium BCE, and representing the era of Achilles, Agamemnon and Helen of Troy. In the site you will see the renowned Lions Gate (the oldest architectural sculpture in Europe), the cyclopean walls, the burial circle A and the remains of Agamemnon’s Palace. Within the site there is a modern museum exhibiting the findings of the “City Of Gold” before leaving the site we will make a small stop at the treasury of Atreus, the best preserved Tholos tomb, one of the finest examples of the Mycenaean architecture.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Nafplio National Gallery, Nafplio, Argolis Region, PeloponneseAfter that we will travel towards more recent history of Greece to the city of Nafplion, considered the most scenic city and functioned as the capital of Greece until 1834. It offers you a outstanding combination of fortresses and castle (Palamidi), Bourtzi, a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea and the unique architecture of the old city of Nafplion revealing Venetian, neoclassical and oriental elements. After walking in the idyllic old city we will stop for lunch at a traditional tavern by the sea, and drive up to the castle of Acronafplia for a panoramic view of Nafplio.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Archaeological Site of Olympia, Olympia, Elis Region, West GreeceOur last drive for the day will be towards Ancient Olympia driving by the cities of Tripoli and Megalopoli finally reaching the western coast opened towards the Ionia Sea. At Ancient Olympia we will stop at a hotel and you will have the time to enjoy the small village in the evening.Duration: 1 hourNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 2: Ancient OlympiaStop At: Archaeological Site of Olympia, Olympia, Elis Region, West GreeceOn this day, we will visit the archaeological site and the museum of Ancient Olympia. One of the largest sites in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus.torch Walking in the site you will pass by the Gymnasium, the Palaistra, the workshop of Phidias, the temple of Zeus and you will end up at the Stadium where every four years the Greeks competed for glory and for spiritual elevation, honoring their cities. The museum is also unique as it includes the renowned statue “Hermes of Praxiteles” with its perfect analogies and tools that belonged to Phidias himself. With these tools he managed to create one of the Seven Wonders of the World “the gold ivory statue of Zeus”.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central GreeceAfter the site we will head towards Delphi, driving by the port of Patra (the western Capital of Greece), we will reach the bridge (Charilaos Trikoupis) of Rio – Antirio that connects the Peloponnese peninsula to the Greek mainland. Considered a miracle of engineering this bridge, one of the world’s longest multi-span cable –stayed bridges and the longest of the fully suspended type. Crossing the bridge we will find Nafpaktos a small town by the sea where we will make a small stop for lunch at a traditional Greek tavern having a view towards the battlefield where the naval battle of Lepanto took place in 1571, between the Ottoman Empire and the united western powers. Following we will drive up the slopes of mountain Parnassus, on our way you will have the opportunity to see the huge valley of olive trees representing the Greek olive sea. Passing through the village of Delphi we will stop at the mountainous village of Arachova to spend the night. Arachova is very close to a ski resort, full of traditional houses and shops selling locally produced products. You can walk through the village with its narrow streets and shops on the central street having a breathtaking view of the mountains full of olive trees literally in front of you.Duration: 4 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 3: DelphiStop At: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central GreeceDelphi is an ancient Greek sanctuary with a catholic character dedicated to God Apollo. It functioned as an Oracle and was considered ‘the naval’ the center of the world and is today a symbol of Greek cultural unity. The scenic location allows you to have a view of the Greek mountains and two more sites the Gymnasium and the secondary sanctuary of Athena Pronea. In the site you will visit the Temple of Apollo where Pytheia spoke to the METEORA21oracles, the theater and the stadium. While in the museum you will be able to see the famous charioteer and Gold Ivory statues. After the site we will have our lunch at the modern village of Delphi with a view of the mountains of Fokis. Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka, Trikala Region, ThessalyOur trip will continue with a drive through the mountains, not taking the national highway, to see the real Greek country side passing by the cities of Lamia, Triakala and Karditsa we will reach Kalabaka, a beautiful small city that is dominated by the Meteora rocks standing upon it. Reaching the small town we will settle at the hotel and then drive up around the hills for an evening photo tour on the rocks under the Greek sunset. Returning into town you will have free time at Kalabaka until the next day.Duration: 4 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 4: Meteora - Back to AthensStop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka, Trikala Region, ThessalyThe following day we’ll start in the morning for a visit to the monasteries and a closer look at the holy rocks. On the rocks that are like suspended in the air (that’s what Meteora means) there is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries still in use. Meteora combines natural beauty and cultural heritage a fact that make them a unique destination between the world’s monuments.Moving on after having our lunch at Kalabaka we will start heading towards Athens and to our last stop.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Battlefield of Thermopylae, Thermopylae, Phthiotis Region, Central GreeceOn our way back we will meet the battlefield of Thermopylae’s. In the historical centre of the site you will enjoy a 3D movie, travelling through time you will feel the presence of all who died for their freedom under a foreign conqueror. To complete the visit you will see the statue of Leonidas standing right opposite Kolonos Hill where the persisting Spartans left their last breath and after that we will drive back to Athens.Duration: 2 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.
Private Day Trip to Corinth Canal and Ancient Olympia from Athens/Pireaus
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Corinth Canal, Corinth, Corinthia Region, PeloponneseDepart from and drive along the coast line until we reach the Corinth Canal where we will make a brief stop.The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island. ls considered one of the great engineering accomplishments of Greece.The canal was dug through the Isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base. The canal was constructed from 1880 to 1893, however, it is something that shipowners and captains had dreamed about for some 2000 years before it became a reality.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Ancient Olympia, Olympia, Elis Region, West GreeceWe will drive by the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to Corinth Canal (sort stop). Drive on the highway, pass by Patra town and arrive in Olympia around noon.Visit the New Archaeological Museum and see among others the Sculpture Masterpieces of Hermes by Praxitelis and the Nike (Victory) by Paionios.Visit also the Archaeological Site with Temples of Zeus and Hera and the Ancient Olympic Stadium, where the First Olympic Games in 776 B.C. were held.Duration: 3 hours