MAINLAND GREECE PORT CONNECTED WITH PELOPONNESE AND WITH BARI, ANCONA AND VENICE
The Port of Patras since ancient times has been an important hub of maritime traffic in the Mediterranean Sea. It has always connected Greece with ports in Southern Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East. Today it is a modern port of call connected with domestic and international routes, a real driver for the Hellenic economy, both in terms of cargo transportation and tourism. In fact, according to Port Authority estimates, about 700,000 passengers transit the Port of Patras each year, making it one of the Mediterranean’s leading ports in fact. The importance of this international port of call has greatly influenced the development of the city of Patras itself, which can be considered for all intents and purposes one of the major destinations in mainland Greece.
Where is the Port of Patras located?
Patras is a city of over 200,000 inhabitants in the northwestern Peloponnese, is a site more than 4,000 years old, founded by the ancient Mycenaean Greeks it retained its importance even during the Roman and Byzantine eras, later it was a colony of the Most Serene Republic of Venice and then the Ottoman Empire, before regaining its independence and becoming part of the Greek state again in the late 1800s. Today it is the third most populous city in Greece after Athens and Thessaloniki.
The Port is located a short distance from the city of Patras, in the Antheia district, which is easily accessible by public transportation, cabs, or even simply walking from the downtown areas.
Rion-Antirion bridge joins Patras to the mainland
The importance of the Port of Patras has grown exponentially since 2004, since the opening of the famous Rion-Antirion Bridge, which connects the Peloponnese peninsula to the Greek mainland. An ‘impressive structure of almost 3 km that has contributed greatly to the efficiency and ease of access to the Port of Patras.
How to reach the Port of Patras?
The Port of Patras is easily accessible by car or train from all major cities in mainland Greece and the Peloponnese peninsula, It is about 215 km from Athens, 91 km from Pyrgo, 7 km from Rio, 134 km from Corinth, 77 km from Kalavryta, and 144 km from Tripoli (Greek). Obviously through the port it is very well connected by sea with the whole of Greece and the islands and all the Mediterranean countries especially with Italy. To reach Patras by plane, however, you have to land in Athens, which is the nearest airport (about 194 km)
Main connections with Italy
The Port of Patras is excellently connected with the entire Mediterranean Sea, the Balkans and the islands of Greece, and the Middle East.
The main connections with Italy are with the ports of Bari, Ancona and Venice. Routes to and from these ports are plied by several shipping companies including Kefalonian Lines, Levante Ferries, Minoan Lines, and Anek Superfast
What to do in Patras?
In addition to being a key Hub connecting Greece with the rest of Europe and the Middle East, Patras is also an important destination for a large number of travelers to Greece each year. The city of Patras is considered a major tourist destination on the Peloponnese Peninsula. The main attractions are the historical monuments, vestiges of an ancient past beginning from the Mycenaean era during the Bronze Age to the present day, crossing the Roman and especially the Byzantine periods. In addition, traces of Venetian and Ottoman rule are also clearly visible in the city.
The Basilica of St. Andrew the Apostle, the Byzantine Fortress, and the Odeon Roman Theater are some of the most important ancient monuments, while today the imposing Rion-Antirion Bridge is to be admired. Finally, today the city is famous for its beaches that are popular with tourists and the famous Patras Carnival.
