Patras is the capital city of the Prefecture of Achaia and of the Region of Western Greece. The region covers the North-Western part of Peloponnese and the Western part of the mainland and due to its geographical position is the transportation centre between the European Union and the East. Patras is a major port for Greece and the Mediterranean as a whole, and it is considered as the Greece's gate to the West. It is also the main commercial and administrative centre for Western Greece with rail and road links to Athens and other major cities.
he new Rio-Antirio bridge, the longest suspended bridge in the world links Patras with the coast of Western mainland of Greece and offers an impressive view from the Conference Centre.
Patras is a vibrant city with a population of around a quarter of a million. Along the very attractive coastline, there are many picturesque seaside villages with taverns, offering fresh fish and traditional dishes. The city has a range of hotels, restaurants, indoor and open-air cafeterias, late nightclubs with live music or just a good atmosphere, all within easy reach from the centre. Also the city is close to important monuments of classical times, most notably ancient Olympia, host of the ancient Olympic Games, Delphi, Epidaurus, Mycenae. Also, connection with mainland of Greece is established by the newly built Rion-Antirion bridge, the longest cable bridge in the world with a continuous deck of 2,250 meters. |
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