Achaia
Capital city: Patras Main areas of the province are: Aigio, Akrata, Aigeira, Araxos, Diakopto, Kalavryta, Patra, Rio, Psathopyrgos.
Patras is the capital of the prefecture. It owes its name to Patreas , chief of the Achaians.
The city is the third city in population in Greece and the largest in Peloponnese. It is very easy to access Patras from Athens. It is connected with a national highway. It combines exceptional natural beauty, a long history and unique sights, never boring its visitors. It is blessed with a mild climate, fertile land, and monuments of great cultural value. Patra attracts a great number of Greek and foreign visitors every year.
Patras Agios Andreas (Saint Andrew) is one of the largest in the Balkans with Byzantine pictures and parts of the cross upon which Saint Andrew became a martyr.
The first site to visit should be the Roman castle , the Roman Bridge , the ancient conservatory, the Mycenean cemetery, Dasyllion, Achaia Clauss and the Municipal Theatre . In Patras you can also visit Psila Alonia –the “balcony” of Patras- a lovely spacious square with slender palm trees and a sun dial.
A visit to Patras does not only offer beautiful sites of the past but a lot of beaches for all tastes, with sand or pebbles stretching along the municipality. Therefore, the area is irresistible to summer holiday lovers. Walking by the beautiful cafes and relaxing can be combined with tasting local dishes. There are a lot of picturesque restaurants in and by the city. Visitors are strongly advised to taste the local wine produced by the fertile local land.
The area is a unique tourist attraction area not only in summer but in winter, too. The mountains around it are of unique beauty for those willing to explore them.
Traversing Patras, continue along the old Patras-Pyrgos road. It is in good condition with a view of the sea and passes endless stretches of sandy beach Araxos and charming villages lapped in greenery. This little jaunt ends at Kalogria beach in time for an afternoon dip and a rest on its white sand.
Right before Patras comes Rio
The co-capital of the province, Aιgio Vostitsa , is amphitheatrically built with a wonderful view of the Korinthian Gulf . It is an ideal holiday resort, as well as the starting point for nearby trips. It is worth visiting the church of Panagia Tripiti where a lot of pilgrims go. This grand church is located by the coast of Aigio , built high up on an impressive rock. It was built by the famous Schiller who is responsible for many masterpieces that one can see as walking around the city of Aιgio. Some of them are: The tower of Psila Alonia , the church of Faneromeni , Panagiotopoulos building and others.
The Twelve Springs and the plane tree of Pafsanias make Aigio a special place. In Vostitsa near the end of January 1821 it took place the first official gathering of the priests of Peloponnese in order to start the revolution against Turkish occupation the famous “Secret assembly of Vostitsa” under the guidance of Paleon Patron Germanos.
The history of Ancient Eliki is well known. Modern research is on its way to discover the ancient city and reveal to us the hidden treasures of the wonderful culture that lies buried for thousands of years.
Near Aigio you will meet small picturesque villages like Longos Lambiri Psathopyrgos Selianitika Akoli
From Aigio on your way to Korinthos, come Platanos, Trapeza Diakopto
There are a lot of areas to visit after Aigio. It is recommended to follow the street in the east of Aigio towards Diakopto so to board on the famous Rack Railway “Odontotos” and enjoy a memorable ride through the natural beauty of Vouraikos Gorge . The ride on the Rack Railway lasts approximately 70 minutes, which is enough time to feel awe. It is certain that you will be impressed even before reaching Kalavryta .
Kalavryta
Leaving Korinth, you take the coast road all the way to Patras. It’s more scenic than the National road, since it’s right on the water’s edge.
You reach Akrata
By bus: Intercity buses run daily from Athens, Akrata, Aigio, Korinthos, Diakopto and Kalavryta to Patra.By car: In order to go to Achaia by car
From Athens the distance is 200 km
By train: There are time-tables from Athens to Patra.Coastally: There are daily time-tables from Agios Nikolaos of Fokida to Aigio. There is also connection to Eptanisa and Igoumenitsa.
Patra Municipality
2610 966200
Athens Bus Station
210 5136185
Rio Hospital
2610 999111
Patra Railway Station
2610 693102
Agios Andreas Hospital
2613 601000
Athens Railway Station
210 5131601
Karamandanio Hospital
2610 622222
Patra Fire Brigade
2610 333211
Patra Police Station
2610 420716, 2610 623061
Patra Post Office
2610 224703
Patra Traffic Police
2610 695086
Patra Radio Taxi
2610 450000
Patra Tourist Police
2610 695191
Patra Municipal Library
2610 224813
Patra Port Authority
2610 365113
Patra Archaeological Museum
2610 420645
Aigio Port Authority
26910 28888
Patra Folklore Museum
2610 276540
Rio Port Authority
2610 991203
Kalavryta Ski Center
26920 24451-2
Patra Bus Station
2610 623886-87, 421205
