Patras City
Dubbed as Greece's Gate to the West, Patras is a commercial hub, while its busy port is a nodal point for trade and communication with Italy and the rest of Western Europe. The city has two public universities and one Technological Institute, hosting a large student population and rendering Patras a major scientific centre with a field of excellence in technological education. The Rio-Antirio bridge connects Patras' easternmost suburb of Rio to the town of Antirrio, connecting the Peloponnese peninsula with mainland Greece.
Every year, in February, the city hosts one of Europe's largest and most colourful carnivals: notable features of the Patras Carnival include its mammoth satirical floats and extravagant balls and parades, enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors in a pleasant Mediterranean climate. Patras is also famous for supporting an indigenous cultural scene active mainly in the performing arts and modern urban literature. It was European Capital of Culture in 2006.
If you have decided to visit Patras you will certainly enjoy close Patras excursions and meet places of exquisite beauty.
Patras Tours: Kalavryta - Odontotos
Kalavryta is the most beautiful and tourist developed resort of Achaia. At a distance of one and a half hour by car, it combines the city (with restaurants and cafeterias) to the best ski center of Peloponnese. So, an excursion at Kalavryta, may contain coffee and food, or ski, snowboard, visit to the museum areas of the city, the Monasteri of Agia Lavra, the Mega Spileo etc. An ideal way to reach Kalavryta is by the famous railway Odontotos. We arrive at Diakofto and from there we pick the train, enjoying one of the most beautiful routes in Europe for unforgettable Patras tours.
Patras excursions: Nafpaktos – Mountainous Nafpaktia
Having the bridge to connect us, nowadays Nafpaktia consists a different suburb of Patras, as there are less than 20 minutes that tear us apart.
The small port of Nafpaktos is one of the most beautiful corners of the whole Western Greece and it is ideal for a winter sunny day for coffee and food. With many choices, from cheap students food, to glamorous food especially at night under the light of candles and the lightening of the picturesque port, for special occasions!
