Patras

Patras is the capital of the Achaia Region. It owes its name to Patreas, chief of the Achaians. The city is among the most important in Greece, and the largest in the Peloponnese. It is also a major transportation center, linking the country with Italy and the Peloponnese with the Ionian Islands.

The city extends from the shore up to the Castle. It is divided into two parts, the upper and the lower, whose layout, parks and plazas give it a definite distinction. The old city, at the foot of the castle, still has quite a number of attractive neoclassical houses, while the lower city has many mansions, such as those housing the Municipal Theatre, the Odeon, etc. The Cathedral of St. Andrew, the city's patron, rises majestically above the lower city.

Patras' famous Carnival attracts thousands of visitors every year. The city's innumerable pastry shops, its quiet little cafes, its wide range of tavernas, its lively streets bustling with locals, foreigners and transient travelers complete the picture of Patras, beautiful and celebrated throughout Greece.