Patra

A major port and Christian shrine.

Patra, the third largest city in Greece, attracts tourists all year round: in winter and in summer there is something to do and see.

Undoubtedly, the main monument of Patras is the cathedral of St. Andrew, the patron saint of the city. The Apostle Andrew wandered extensively through the Greek land preaching Christianity and came to Patras, where he performed many miracles and cured people of many diseases. At present in the cathedral there are relics of the saint and part of the cross on which the apostle was crucified.

It is worth a visit to the medieval castle, built at the highest point of the Patras, at a distance of 800 meters from the sea. Until the XX century this castle was used as a defense structure.

Another interesting monument in Patras is the Odeon, in front of which stands a statue of Apollo. Along with the odeon all the surrounding areas are declared as a national archaeological park. At the moment, the Odeon is the main site of the International Festival of Patras, which takes place here every summer.

Also noteworthy are the new symbol of the city - the largest cable-stayed bridge of Rio Antirrio in the world, the beautiful lighthouse, located on the waterfront, the Archaeological Museum with unique exhibits dating from 3000 BC to the 4th century AD, the Museum of Folk Art, where traditional crafts master classes are organized for visitors, and much more.

Patra has always been famous for its universities, so life here is booming. There are a lot of nightclubs, restaurants, and cafes in the city. No wonder that here, for more than 180 years, the largest carnival in Greece has taken place. You can party all day long, with all sorts of costume events, contests and parades taking place until Maundy Monday.

In Patras is not only fun and interesting but also very delicious! It is a must to try the local products: Tendura cinnamon liqueur, made only here and served in small glasses in the afternoon, delicious natural lukum and sweet wine "Mavrodafni" made from black grapes.

Useful Info

In Patras you will find a lot of souvenir shops and antique stores. It is also worth noting that due to the fact that Patras is a large port city, there are many boutiques of famous brands: Christian Dior, Gucci, Raulph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and many others.

How to get

You can get to Patras from Athens by bus, which runs every 30 minutes or by train.

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