Patras (Greece)

In 2015, Port of Patras handled only few small cruise ship calls, with a total of 1090 passengers. The port's new authority took over in December 2015. The offered from Patras excursions and activities include archaeological sites visiting, river rafting, mountain hiking, shopping in the city's commercial center (located at 5-min walking distance from the ferry terminal).

Due to its strategic position, Patras seaport handles over half of the country's foreign sea-passenger shipping. The port serves regularly scheduled daily ferries linking mainland Greece with Ionian islands (Corfu, Kefallonia, Zakynthos). Via Igoumenitsa, Patras is ferry-connected with Italy's largest Adriatic Sea ports (Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, Venice). Since 2011, all ferries to Italy dock at the new harbour (Patras' south port). Seaplanes and fast ferries are also operated.

In July 2018, the Turkish company UN Ro-Ro (subsidiary of DFDS SEAWAYS) started regularly scheduled weekly freight ferry service between Pendik Port (Istanbul) and Port Patras. Departures from Turkey are on Fridays (evening), arrivals in Patras are on Sundays (morning). Aslo was introduced new Italy-Greece cargo ferry line from Trieste to Patras. Departures from Trieste are on Saturdays (morning), arrivals in Patras are on Sundays (afternoon). GRIMALDI LINES offers regular crossings from Patras to Italy (Venice, Bari, Ancona, Genoa, Ravenna), and via Italy to Spain, Tunisia and Morocco.

Patras City is Greece's 3rd-largest (after the capital Athens and Thessaloniki) with population around 215,000 (metro around 740,000). The city's economy is largely based on services, with main economic activities being retailing, logistics, finances. Among the largest businesses are major Greek banks, Titan Cement Company (large factory with its own private seaport in Psathopyrgos), timber manufacturing companies,, Shelman (wood distribution center), paper factory, packing and industrial equipment companies (including Antzoulatos, Vianex, and Frigoglass / Coca-Cola subsidiary, the bike producer Ideal Bikes, dress production companies.

The Spanish corporation Acciona (specializing in renewable energy) completed in 2017 the largest in Greece wind park. The facility is located on the mountain Panachaiko (overlooking the city)

Patras cruise terminal