Car & Van Hire - Patra

Patra was named the European Capital of Culture in 2006, and it's not hard to see why. This ancient Greek city can trace its roots back thousands of years, and it's been a cultural hub since the days of the Romans. Local events include the Patras International Festival, which brings together musical performers and theatre groups from across the country and the wider world. Just like the rest of Europe, this city celebrates carnival season in style. Every January, the Patras Carnival gets into gear. It's one of the oldest carnivals on the continent and the largest in Greece.

If you're looking to arrange car hire in Patra, you've plenty of historic sights to discover. The Roman Odeum is one of the most famous historical landmarks. Older than similar sites found elsewhere in Greece, this amphitheatre was lovingly restored to its former glory in the 1950s. In recent years, it's become a staging ground for live performances and can comfortably hold crowds of more than 2,300 people.

Patras Castle is hard to miss. This mediaeval fortress overlooks the city. The castle itself was constructed in the 600s, but it's actually constructed on a much older acropolis. This local landmark has a storied history. It served as the home of Byzantine emperors and survived an attack during the Crusades. It was even used as a staging post for military operations during the Second World War.

With car and van hire in Patra, you can also explore some of the best museums in Greece. The New Archaeological Museum of Patras only opened in 2009 but has quickly amassed an impressive collection of exhibits that date back to the Bronze Age. The Museum of Science and Technology will also appeal to inquiring minds and younger visitors. The Folk Art Museum is another great attraction, with an eclectic collection of photographs, garments and furniture that celebrate the unique character of Patra and the wider region of Achaia.

If you're looking to soak up some sunshine during your stay, you'll find plenty of pristine beaches within easy reach of Patra. When it comes to sea and sand, the Peloponnese coast offers rich pickings. Rodini Beach and Psathopyrgos Beach are located around 16 kilometres east of Patra. However, these can become crowded during the summer season. Pining for some alone time? Lambiri Beach is a little further out, but this pebbled stretch of coastline tends to be quieter.

Although it's an old city, Patra has enjoyed extensive redevelopments in recent years. The city's road network is incredibly user-friendly, making car hire in Patra a great option, even if you've never driven in Greece before. The city has its own ring road, the Bypass of Patras, which spans more than 20 kilometres. This not only provides easy access to Patra itself but also goes a long way in reducing congestion. A second ring road was completed in 2019 to further alleviate traffic in the city centre.

Patra is broadly separated into two sections. The second ring road has a two-way motorway that bridges the two halves. On most days, you can zip from one side of the city centre to the other in just a few minutes.

Thinking about travelling further afield? Two major highways connect Patra with the Peloponnese coastline. The first highway crosses the Diakoniaris River, while the other runs along the Glafkos River before merging with the city's harbour district.

There are also highway routes connecting Patra with the Greek capital. The Olympia Odos highway runs for 220 kilometres, offering an easy route to Athens. If you're planning on making the trip to the Greek mainland, the Rio-Antirio bridge is your best bet. While it's possible to island hop with a car in Greece, ferry charges are generally quite expensive.

There's plenty of parking available in Patra, but you'll struggle to find many free spots. Most public parking is metered during the week between 08:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00. You'll also need to pay for parking on Saturdays, though charges only apply between 08:00-14:00.

In Patra, you'll need to drive on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits are also enforced here, with the same restrictions applied as in the rest of Greece. In the city centre, you'll need to keep your speeds below 50 km/h. Outside of Patra, speed limits rise to 90 km/h. On highways, maximum speed limits of 130 km/h are commonplace.

Thankfully, you don't need to be fluent in Greek to make sense of the local road network in Patra. All highways and major route routes include English signs, as well as those written in native Greek. This doesn't apply to more rural areas, where caution is recommended.