Rio Antirio Bridge at dawn, Patra, Gulf of Corinth, Peloponnese, Greece

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Patra

Greece's third-largest city, Patra is named after King Patreas who ruled Achaïa around 1100 BC. Little is evident of this busy port's 3000 years of history, during which it was an important trade centre under the Mycenaeans and the Romans. Though there's a gritty side to the city, it has attractive squares and lively pedestrian streets, and a great bar and restaurant scene filled with the young and the trendy.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • The archaeological museum of Patras.

    Archaeological Museum of Patras

    Patra

    This fabulous museum should be shouting its existence from its space-age rooftop. Its exhibits comprise regional objects from prehistoric to Roman times…

  • Kastro

    Kastro

    Patra

    Patra's castle stands on the site of the acropolis of ancient Patrai. The Romans were the first to build a fort here around AD 550, but the present…

  • Church of Agios Andreas

    Church of Agios Andreas

    Patra

    Seating 5500 people, this church is one of the largest in the Balkans. Tradition holds that the Romans crucified St Andrew here in Patra (on the diagonal…

  • Roman Odeion

    Roman Odeion

    Patra

    Patra was an important Roman city and this brick-built odeion (small theatre), built in the 2nd century AD, is one of several remains scattered about the…

  • Apollon Theatre

    Apollon Theatre

    Patra

    This nineteenth-century neoclassical theatre building designed by Ernst Ziller is a landmark on the main square of Patra.

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