Discover Patras by Hire Car
Patras, with a population of just under 180,000 in an area of just over 125 square kilometres, is a large city in southwestern Greece on the southeastern side of the gulf of the same name, the Gulf of Patras.
The city’s impressive port is one of the most important in the entire country, with Patras itself being the fourth largest place in Greece after Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki.
It is picturesquely nestled between the foothills of the Panachaiko Mountains and the Ionian Sea.
History of Patras
Patras was settled by the Phoenicians as early as the pre-Christian era. Later, the first Christian communities on mainland Europe were established here and the city became the starting point for the Christianization that began worldwide.
The apostle Andrew is said to have died a martyr’s death in Patras and is still venerated here as a saint.
During its history, the city experienced many different rulers, all of whom left their mark on the cityscape. These included Germans, French and Turks. Patras was almost destroyed in 1821, when the Greek Revolution began here. But because of its exposed seaside location, it was very quickly rebuilt with straightforward architecture.
Leisure activities in Patras
With a hire car, you have the opportunity to cross the second longest cable-stayed bridge in the world, the 2,252-meter Rion-Antrion Bridge, not far from Patras, which today connects the Peloponnese with the mainland.
Once a year, however, the city is in a state of emergency, the length of which makes even hard-boiled Rhinelanders pale. For no less than two months in the winter, some 50,000 carnivalists celebrate the biggest party in Greece here in the carnival stronghold of Eastern Europe.
In 2006, Patras was even named European Capital of Culture.
Patras is worth a visit all year round.
hire car price comparison Patras
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