Western Greece itineraries
The Region of Western Greece occupies a strategic geographical position connecting the Peloponnese with Central Greece and Epirus. It is one of the main gateways of the country, considered as the Western Gateway of Greece to the Adriatic and Western Europe.
In recent years the road network in Greece has been enriched with several major highways, making the Region of Western Greece immediately approachable and accessible. The road network of the Region is particularly extensive. The National Road Network extends to a length of 895km, while the Provincial Road Network extends to a length of approximately 3,520km. It is developed on the coasts and in the lowlands, while it is relatively insufficient, quantitatively and qualitatively, in the disadvantaged mountainous areas.
A monumental construction, the Charilaos Trikoupis Rion – Antirion Bridge, which is the longest multi-span cable stayed bridge of the world with its 2,252 meters continuous and fully suspended deck, is part of the European motorway network, located at the intersection of two major roads: the Athens - Korinthos - Patras motorway, the Ioannina - Antirion motorway, which links the most important cities of Greece.
Nafpaktos or Lepanto as it is known since the time of the Venetian occupation, is located on the outskirts of the Bridge and strategically between the international landmarks of Ancient Olympia and Delphi. The Municipality of Nafpaktia resulted from the merger of the municipalities of Nafpaktos, Antirrio, Apodotia, Platanos, Pylini and Chalkia. The seat of the Municipality is the city of Nafpaktos, which, according to the latest census has about 13.400 inhabitants. The city is located in the southwestern part of Central Greece, on the northwestern shores of the Gulf of Korinth.
All destinations and routes can be viewed at AI SMART Interactive Map, by clicking here or by scanning the following QR code:
Arrivals from abroad
Arrivals to Athens International Airport ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS
Athens International Airport (AIA) started operating at 28th of March 2001. The years before the COVID pandemic travel restrictions, Athens International Airport traffic exceeded the amount of 8,5 million passengers per year, being by far the busiest airport in Greece and in the top 20 of Europe, with a high level of destination connections.
Web site:www.aia.gr
From Athens to Nafpaktos marina
By car: Athens International Airport is a car rental hub for plenty of companies. From there, you enter directly to the highway. The total distance is 247km in highway and the Trikoupis bridge at Rio-Antirio. The last 10km only are in local municipality road network.
By bus: Using the intercity bus connection, from Athens to Nafpaktos, there are about 2 scheduled routes per day from Kifissos KTEL Athens central station. To reach Kifissos station from the airport, there is an express urban buss connection identified by the number “X93”. After the arrival to Nafpaktos bus station, the traveler can walk or take a 5 minutes taxi ride to the Gripovo marina of Nafpaktos area.
Arrivals to Aktion Preveza Airport
Aktion Airport is based near Preveza town and 145km from Nafpaktos. Is a small airport connected worldwide mainly with charter or seasonal flights.
Web site:www.pvk-airport.gr
From Aktion Airport to Nafpaktos Marina
By car: Aktion Airport is a car rental hub for plenty of companies. From there, Nafpaktos is 145km driving. The first 52km are on old national road. The new road is due to be delivered the following years. The rest of the trip is on the new Ionia Odos highway.
The port of Patras is connected with regular service to the ports of Brindisi, Ancona, Venezia, Bari, Genova, Ravenna, Trieste, Catania. The routes are serviced from a variety of shipping companies, covering a traffic of almost 500.000 passengers per year and 100.000 vehicles.
Web site:www.patrasport.gr
From Patras port to Nafpaktos Marina
By car: Travelling with a private vehicle, the port of Patras is one of the main entry points in Greece to reach Nafpaktos. Additionally, there are plenty of car rental companies at Patras city. From Patras, you enter directly to the highway towards the Trikoupis bridge at Rio-Antirio. The total distance is only 33km and you may also use a local taxi transfer.
Connections to ports & marinas
All the ports, shelters and marinas of Region Western Greece are connected through the national road network. Nafpaktos is located on the Western side of the Gulf of Korinth. The Gulf of Korinth is a completely protected sea area that connects the Ionian Sea with the Aegean Sea, through the Isthmus of Corinth at its eastern end.
Visualizza sulla mappa (CON001)
Distance: 9,18 NM
Patras is the largest city and the capital of the Region. A short drive destination from Nafpaktos, but also a beautiful sailing trip, in which someone will live the experience of passing under the astonishing Rio-Antirio Bridge. The traveler may berth at the Patras marina on the West side of the city, or the OLPA marina inside the North Old port of Patras, which lies on the outskirts of the city, walking distance from the historic center.
Places of interest
Town center
A 250.000 inhabitants city, offers a variety of choices to the visitor. The market in the historic center of Patras, the pedestrian street Riga Feraiou full of caffe and bars, and the amazing nightlife, are only a few of the attractions. In the center of the city, someone can also visit a variety of small cultural destinations, with the municipality’s gallery being the most prestigious. The center mark of the town, is the considered to be the square of King George I.
Distance from the port: 0 km
Archaeological and Historic sites of Patras
Gifted by nature, Patras was through history a commercial and cultural hub. Plenty of historic sites starting from 1000B.C. and the Mycenaean period, till contemporary history, following are some of the most important places to visit.
The Archaeological Museum of Patras is one of the most prominent museums in Greece. It houses collections deriving from the history of Patras and the surrounding area from prehistory to the end of Roman times.
Distance from marina of Patras: 1,7 km
The Mycenaean cemetery, along with the Mycenaean settlement, comprise the Patras Mycenaean Park located near the settlement of Voudeni.
Distance from marina of Patras: 7,7 km
The Castle of Patras, stands on a hill above the historic city center. It was built in 551A.D., following a devastating earthquake. It remained in constant use until the 2nd WW. The first structure was constructed using the remains of Classical period buildings. One of the stone pieces re-used is the bust of a Roman statue, now said to be a ‘maiden’ that guards the city against disease. Today the castle is used for cultural events throughout the summer. There is public access to the castle, free of charge.
Distance from marina of Patras: 4,7 km
More Archaeological and Historic sites of Patras
Achaia Clauss Winery, Roman Odeon, Apollon Municipal Theater, Municipal Gallery, House of Kostis Palamas, Patras Hammam, Faros Patras, Folk Arts Museum, Ethnological Museum
Distance: 14,41 NM
Egio (Aigio or Aegio) is a historical town on the Regional Unit of Achaia, standing 40km East of Patras, in the Korinthian Gulf. It has a population of around 26,000 while the municipality has about 49,000 inhabitants. A short drive destination from Nafpaktos, but also a beautiful sailing trip. The traveler may berth at the shelter of Myrtia. For bigger boats the bay of Egio offers a decent protection from almost all wind directions, being exposed only to north-northeast direction of winds.
Places of interest
Old port promenade
The town offers a variety of choices to the visitor. All places are walking distance from the shelter. The old port promenade, offers a beautiful walk by the sea, across the town. There still stand the remains of the old raisin storages, the view of which travel you on a journey to the beginning of the 19th century, in the heyday of the raisin and the area, that was one of the largest producers in Greece. Many of the storages have become, bars, caffe, restaurants and hotels.
Distance from shelter: 2,2 km
Kalamos
At the port of Mytikas, the visitor can rent a small boat and be transferred around Kalamos island. The village of Kalamos is a picturesque port with many restaurants. The beach of Asprogiali at the North part of the island, is a unique place to swim, with the pine trees making the waters deep green.
Distance from the port: 3 NM + 1 NM
Distance: 25,97 NM
Messolonghi, the capital of the Regional Unit of Aitoloakarnania, is a municipality of 34,416 people. The town is the seat of the municipality of Iera Polis Messolongiou ('Sacred Town of Messolonghi'), as the town was the site of a dramatic siege during the Greek War of Independence (1826A.D.). The port of Messolonghi is a completely protected bay from any weather phenomenon, the entrance to which is made through a long channel and it is surrounded by the lagoon and the salt flats of Messolonghi. The boat may berth on the old port or the new well marina. Famous for the heroic exodus during the siege by the Ottomans (1826A.D.), very large events are held every year on the anniversary. The area is world famous for its salt, eel and roe production.
Places of interest
Town center
The small town center lies walking distance from the port. Visitors may enjoy local cuisine restaurants all over the town, a market offering anything needed to the traveler and a variety of bars. It is suggested the visit to the town to take place during the days that the events of the anniversary of the martyr's exodus take place.
Distance from port: 0 km
Landmarks of interest
TYPE: Driving Trip
DURATION/DISTANCE: 2h/143km
Nafpaktos is a hub between the two of the most important Greek Archaelogical sites. Ancient Olympia and Delphi. Ancient Olympia (Archaia Olympia), is the berth place of the Olympic Games. The site of Olympia, is located in a valley in the Peloponnesus, close to Pyrgos and the port of Katakolo. Katakolo port has all the infrastructure needed to welcome from small sailing boats to huge cruise ships, that line up to manage to visit the famous historic place. By car from the Gribovo marina, Olympia is 143km on national roads. The new highway constructions have already started and the next years a new road will make the trip easy, fast and safe.
TYPE: Driving Trip
DURATION/DISTANCE: 1h 30m/97,4km
Nafpaktos is a hub between the two of the most important Greek Archaelogical sites. Ancient Olympia and Delphi. The oracle of Delphi was the most sacred and important oracle of antiquity. Ιτ was a reference point for hundreds of years. The old national road that leads the visitor from Nafpaktos, offers an follows the north coast of the Korinthian Gulf, with an amazing scenery under the tough cliffs of the mountains that end directly to the sea bed. An amazing destination, lying 97,4km from Gribovo marina, that stands over the seaside town of Itea and the carefully preserved ancient olive trees valley of Amfissa.
TYPE: Driving Trip
DURATION/DISTANCE: 1h 18m/51,9km
One of the most famous destinations in Greece, the mountainous Nafpaktia (Orini Nafpaktia), with a magnificent nature and small villages, is certainly one of the places someone should visit. Ano Chora, Kato Chora, Elatou, Limnista, Platanos, Ampelakiotissa, are only some of the beautiful stone villages of Nafpaktia, just one hour driving from Nafpaktos (Ano Chora 51,9km).
Destinations around Nafpaktos town
Nafpaktos old port and historic center
TYPE: Walking Route
DURATION/DISTANCE: 17 m/1,4 km
Nafpaktos is inextricably linked to the sea. The ancient name Naupaktos (Nafpaktos) means "boatyard". Walking around the town is an easy task. Following the seaside street west, from the marina of Gribovo, the visitor can enter in a short distance to the historic center of Nafpaktos, with the pedestrian streets, bars and local market. There dominates the presence of the old Venetian port of Nafpaktos (Lepanto). The port also is surrounded from bars and restaurants, full of visitors all year around. It is recommended to visit the port the first week of October, when the battle of Lepanto anniversary is celebrated, with a representation of the naval battle and fantastic events in the port.
TYPE: Walking Route
DURATION/DISTANCE: 39 m/2,6 km
Picturesque ramparts that follow the landscape, from the top of the hill until the old harbor of Nafpaktos, the well preserved Castle of Nafpaktos is one of the most beautiful castles in Greece. Its fortification passed through many phases, as it was started in the ancient times, passed through the Venetian conquest and was completed by the Turks. A demanding hike that, however, compensates you with the magnificent view of the town and the bay of Lepanto, combined with the unique nature that surrounds Nafpaktos.
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