How to spend top weekend in Patra - ideas on extraordinary attractions and sites

View the City from the Hill and the Walls of the Fortress

Panachaikon hill is 800 meters from the Ionian Sea. The fortress was built on it during the reign of the Emperor Justinian. It was used for defensive purposes. The fortress withstood many sieges. It is one of the most famous sights of Patras today. It is used as a venue for various cultural events. The building is open to tourists from 8 am to 6 pm on any day of the week. If you come here, you can climb high walls or stand on a hill to enjoy a beautiful view of the city, its surroundings, and the sea coast.

Climb the Lighthouse

There is a lighthouse in Patras. Its height is 17 meters. The locals call it "Pharos". It was erected on the embankment near the Church of St. Andrew in 1999. It is an exact copy of the structure made of stone and located on the territory of the port from 1878 to 1972. If you come to the city in the summer, you can go up to the observation deck. It is located on the top floor of the building. You can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view.

Travel to the Strofilia Natural Complex

Strofilia nature complex is a 60-minute drive from the city. You will have the opportunity to travel along its many hiking trails. You can walk through several biotopes and over the high ground during a long walk around the natural attraction. For example, you can walk through the Black Mountains. They reach a height of 240 meters. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Winter Activities in the Surroundings of Patras

If you come to Patras in winter, you will get a chance to do trekking and skiing. You should visit the famous mount Helmos for this. It has a height of 1850 meters. Kalavryta ski resort is located at its foot. There are several rental points, snowboard areas, and 12 ski trails on its territory. The total length of the trails is 20 kilometers. You can also go for a walk on the mountain slopes and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Railway Journey through the Vouraikos Gorge

There are many picturesque beaches in the town of Diakopto. The initial station of the railway with a gear mechanism and the narrow gauge is located here. Its width is 0.75 meters. It was created in March 1896. You can get into one of the 3 wagons of a tram-like train. You will have the opportunity to go to Kalavryta. You will have to overcome 22 kilometers, passing over iron bridges and several tunnels. They are cut through the rocks.

The stop in the village of Kato Zachlorou will be 40 minutes after the start of the journey. You can leave the car and walk to the Mega Spilaio Monastery. Then the route will pass through the Vouraikos Gorge. You can enjoy the mountain landscape and get an adrenaline rush, driving along the edge of the cliff. The train will arrive in Kalavryta in 1 hour and 20 minutes. You will have the opportunity to go skiing and visit the monastery of Agia Lavra.

Beaches of Patras

There are several sandy beaches in the city and its surroundings. For example, the city beach is located 1 kilometer from the central part of Patras. If you drive 29 kilometers towards Corinth, you can get to the well-groomed beach of Lambiri. The picturesque beach of Janissary is located in a westerly direction from the city. You can reach it only by a dirt road. There is Kalogria Beach not far from it.

The fishing village of Psathopyrgou with the beach of the same name is located 16 kilometers from Patras. You will be able to enjoy swimming in the waters of the Ionian Sea and the gentle rays of the sun on any of them. You will also have the opportunity to choose a suitable active entertainment related to the water element. This can be riding a catamaran, yacht, or sailboat, conquering the waves on a surfboard or a board with a sail, scuba diving, water slides.