With Mt Panachaikon on one side and the blue Gulf of Patras on the other, Patras strikes a regal pose of cobblestone streets weaving between ancient Greek architecture. History meets modern entertainment in this student-oriented city, where pedestrian streets reveal lively bars and a diverse culinary scene.

Things to do

Discover impressive Ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine monuments in Patras, beginning with a stroll through the Old City to the 6th-century Patras Castle. Further exploration takes you to the Roman Odeon, an open-air theatre from 160 AD, and Saint Andrew Church, the second-largest of its kind in the Balkans.

Lovers of history will likely spend hours at the Archaeological Museum of Patras, home to artefacts dating back to prehistoric times, including Roman mosaics, reconstructed homes and Mycenaean cosmetics and swords. Combine history with luxury in the city’s pampering Turkish baths, one of only a few still standing in Europe.

A population of more than 20,000 students gives Patras an impressive nightlife filled with first-class restaurants and trendy late-night bars. Clubs and bars are scattered around the city, but the ones near the port and beach resorts are favourited in summer. City-centre bars around the Square of King George are also popular.

Indulge in the local Mavrodafni wine and tentura, but don’t forget to stretch those legs with a walk or jog up the Spinney, where panoramic views of the city and Gulf of Patras await. The Wall of Dymaeans, a fortified Mycenaean acropolis said to have been built by Hercules, is also worth the 35-kilometre drive south of the city.

Getting around

Patras is a pedestrian-friendly city with numerous streets connecting dining and entertainment districts. There’s also a local bus that provides affordable transport around the city and to nearby beaches. The city’s railway and taxis can also take you further afield.