Patras is the third largest city of Greece, and the capital of the Achaea prefecture of Greece and of the Region of West Greece.
The first traces of settlement in Patras date to the 3rd millennium BC, in modern Aroe. During the Middle Helladic period (the first half of the 2nd millennium BC), another settlement was founded in the region. Patras flourished for the first time during the Post-Helladic or Mycenean period (1580–1100 BC). Ancient Patras was formed by the unification of three Mycenaean villages located in modern Aroe, Antheia and Mesatis. Mythology tells us that after the Dorian invasion, a group of Achaeans from Laconia, led by the eponymous Patreus, established a colony. During antiquity, Patras remained a farming region but in Roman times it became an important port.
Today Patras is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Greece and is popular with tourists.

	Country:	Greece
	Location:	Southwest
	Country Code:	+30
	Population:	163,446
	Language:	Greek
	Currency:	Euro (€)
	Time Zone:	GMT+2
	Train Station:	Patras Station
	Tourism:	Patras Tourism

By Car From Athens and Rio. Via the national road Athens-Patras, follow the first exit after the Rio toll posts. From the west If you come from Pyrgos Olympia and western Greece, take the last exit No 5 of Patras Ring Road.

By Train There are daily services to and from Athens as well as all the major offshore cities of the Peloponnese. The trip from Athens to Patras lasts about 3 1/2 hours. In Patras, the Train Station (OSE) is located in the town centre, near the harbour.

By Ferry Patras ferry port operates services to Ancona and Bari.

• Patras Castle
• Aqueduct
• Roman Odeon
• Acropolis
• Amphitheatre

Patras Castle is an important archeological monument, constructed by Justinian in approximately 551 AD, in order to protect the area and its inhabitants from foreign invaders. Built by Romans and situated at the foot of the hill of Dassylio, is the first syste-matic aqueduct of Patras. The ruins of an amphitheatre, possibly dating back to the 1st century AD together with the nearby Roman Odeon, constitute a monument of particular archeological value in the Patras area. Situated west of the Acropolis in the upper city, the Roman Odeon is even older than the Odeon of Athens (Herodion 160 BC).