Athens to Patras - North Peloponesse Isthmus of Corinth Xylokastro Akrata Psathopyrgos Derveni Rio Antirio Bridge Castle of Rio
On
our way back to the UK we decided to take a long and easy going
driving tour until we take the Greek ferry from Patras to
Ancona. The journey from Athens to Patras takes about 2 hours by
car ,but if you want to enjoy the amazing coasts of Northern
Peloponesse and take the old National Road from Corinth it can
take up to 4-5 hours. This road is definitely worth taking
instead of the National Toll road particularly for the driver
who is anxious about the potential kamikazi driving skills of
the typical Greek driver, speeding dangerously along the single
lane motorway that also goes from Corinth to Patras. The railway
also runs alongside this road and intermittently turns inland
and back along the coast nearly all the way to Patras. By taking
the coastal road, although longer, you will enjoy views and
tranquillity which are well worth the extra time. Olive, lemon
and orange groves are in abundance, in august the oleander trees
and roses are in full bloom and the grass was fresh and green. Starting from Athens or Piraeus you will drive through the industrial area of Skaramangas and Aspropirgos towards Elefsina. From Elefsis either you can continue on the new highway or take the old National road that goes along the coasts of northwest Attica passing from the sea resorts of Megalo Pefko ,Kineta and Agioi Theodoroi.
Isthmus of Corinth: If you are driving along the new toll highway and you want to stop over the Corinth ship Canal , be sure to take the exit towards Loutraki. The Corinth Canal (Isthmus of Corinth) is 6.3 km long and the second longest man made Canal of the Mediterranean sea after the Suez Canal. The Isthmus of Corinth connects the Saronic gulf with the Corinthian gulf and cuts Peloponnese from Sterea Ellas.During the antiquity the ships where passing over the land from a stone ramp the Diolkos.The ship Canal of Corinth it is still today a main passage for many ships up to a certain size. The Isthmus of Corinth was build between the years 1882-1893.
On the way from Corinth to Patras the old national road runs along the
coastline through the charming seaside towns and villages along the
Corinthian gulf. Among these are Kiato and a few kilometres further ins
the popular resort of Xylokastro, a favourite destination for many
Athenians due to its clean beaches and sea, pine forests that fringe the
edges of the beaches and many well run hotels and services that holiday
makers may want.
This beautiful coastal road continues always by the sea, passing through
pretty villages. If you have time you can park the car under a tamarisk
tree next to a beach tavern for a refreshing dip in the clear aquamarine
sea and sampled some of the taverna's delicious fare before continuing
onwards. However, just a few kilometres before Aegion the second largest
city of Achaia county, you can stop off and stay overnight at Akrata.
Akrata is one of the most beautiful seaside resorts of the Corinthian
Gulf.
Akrata: We reached Akrata about 5pm and found the delightful small
seafront hotel, "Antonios rooms". It was exactly what we needed because
not only were we able to have a very comfortable second floor apartment
with balconies overlooking the sea, but also Antonio has secure
underground parking facilities for his guests. With our car loaded with
our possessions safely parked we took our overnight things to the
apartment and sat drinking coffee on the balcony to admire the view and
marvel at the milky turquoise sea. Soon however, merely observing it was
not enough and we left our apartment, crossed the small promenade that
separates the hotel from the sea and had another swim in a sea that felt
like silk on your body.
As
evening approached we strolled along the promenade to eat at one of the
many taverns and restaurants that line the promenade. Although it was
late August there were still a fair amount of visitors around, 99% of
them appearing to be Greek. Consequently, we did not experience any
hassling from waiters to eat at their establishment (which you often
find on the large tourist places and islands in Greece). We chose to eat
at Lambros Grill Tavern which had tables directly adjacent to the beach.
The food was delicious but the boiled courgettes, in particular, were
exquisite - by far the best we have tasted anywhere. Not a hint of
bitterness that this vegetable often has but, instead, they were creamy
and almost avocado-like in their consistency. the evening was a
wonderful treat after our uncomfortable previous night spent sleeping on
deck on the ship from Leros to Piraeus and the hot and sweaty car
journey from the Port of Piraeus.
Akrata reminded us of a small old-fashioned Riviera town. Not bright and
trashy but clean with a good selection of bars and taverns on the
promenade, the majority of holiday makers wee Greek and watching them
take their evening stroll along the promenade made you feel it was a
real traditional holiday resort. Akrata has a campsite on the beach and
also a local winery.
The beach is pebbly and extremely clean. It is well shaded by trees and
has a good sized pavement that separates the road from the beach.
After
dinner we returned to sit on the balcony watching the gentle evening
life of the town until tiredness overtook us and we retired to have a
deep and soundless sleep, waking early and refreshed to the sound of the
waves crashing onto the pebbles on the beach outside.
the hotel was well resourced with double-glazing, air-conditioning, TV,
plenty of electric plugs to re-charge phones, computers, etc. The studio
we stayed in had a small kitchen which had everything you would need for
a longer stay with electric cooker, pots and pans and cooking utensils,
a sink and a fridge. Antoni's wife also provided us with coffee, milk,
sugar and croissants for breakfast and offered us the use of such things
as hairdryers and an iron.
the morning sea was quite different to that of the previous evening.
There was surf and exhilarating crashing waves which I was thrilled to
see as, having spent all summer on a small Greek island in the
Dodecanese with a sea that was crystal clear but glassy smooth.
Leaving Akrata the road inclines along the coast through stunning
scenery of cliffs and pine trees. The smell of the sea, pine forests and
the sound of cicadas is evocative of the region.
Although
there are many wide river beds, as this time of year they are dried up.
However, the green of the nature in this region indicates a plentiful
supply of underground water. Sadly, though, there was clear evidence
close to Aegion of the catastrophic summer fires that have plagues
Greece this year. The landscape in parts was coloured shades of burnt
umber and ash grey, with blackened tree stumps, whilst those trees that
had escaped the inferno wee left standing solitary and pathetically with
their once green leaves brown and parched. The smell of burnt timbers
filled the air. Amazingly, two beautiful old tavernas which have stood
on this part of the road (Platanies) for decades managed to escape the
inferno, with the fire being halted just a few metres short of their
back yards. thankfully evidence of this devastation doesn't last long
and very soon the landscape changes once again back to its verdant
beauty.
The next resort after Akrata is Platanos beach. The architecture in this
region is quite different to that in most of the Greek islands. Small
white villas with red tiled, pitched roofs, all with gardens that were
bursting with fruit and flowers. the whole area at the end of August was
surprisingly green and fresh which was particularly amazing when you
consider the exceptionally hot temperatures that have hit Greece this
summer. After a few miles you begin to see, in the distance, the city of
Aegion. with the beautiful mountains of Celmos providing a stunning
backdrop. As we entered the village of Diakofto from here, turning to
the left, you can drive to Kalavryta or alternatively take the famous
vernacular trains up the mountainside to reach this charming town. the
provincial town of Aegion is like any other Greek town. However it is
famous for its church of Panagia Trypiti. If you want to continue on the
old road here, don't take signs in Aegion to Patras as this will take
you back on the toll road. Instead, follow the signs through Aegion town
to Panagia, Tripili and further on the signs directing you to the beach.
On a Monday even the small old national road becomes relatively busy as
you leave Aegion. The road goes through the same landscape full of
groves of tree. The first village you will meet is Selianitica and then
Lambiri. this latter has a very nice beach with camp sites. Further on
you passing from the sea resort of Psathopyrgos and soon you can sea the
bridge of Rio- Antirio.
Rio
Antirio Bridge: The amazing 2.880 meters Rio Antirio bridge is the
second longest cable stayed deck bridge of the world. The bridge
connects Peloponnese with Sterea Ellas from the town of Rio in Achaia to
the town of Antirio. The bridge was build between the years 1996-2004
.The bridge begins next to the Castle of Rio a fort that was
build in 1499 by the Othoman Sultan Bayazid II. The fort was occupied by
several conquerors ,among them Andrea Doria, the Knights of Malta ,the
Venetians ,the Turks and finally was returned to the Greeks in 1828. The
Castle of Rio its a magnificent fortification well kept and is worth of
visiting.
After Rio the port of Patras is only 8 ks.From the port there are several ferries departing to Italy every day during all the Year . Patras is the main sea gate of Greece to western Europe and the third larges city of Greece. Patras organizes every year the most famous Carnival in Greece.
