Patras Carnival

Patras has held a carnival in some form since the early nineteenth century, and the modern version is the biggest in Greece and among the larger ones in Europe. It opens on Saint Anthony's day in January with a herald's proclamation and builds for weeks through masked balls, a treasure hunt that sends hundreds of teams around the city in costume, and a dedicated children's carnival. The finale falls on the weekend before Clean Monday: on Saturday night a torchlit parade of masked groups fills the streets, and on Sunday afternoon the grand parade brings enormous satirical floats, chariots and dance groups through the centre, watched by crowds that reach into six figures. The season closes with the ritual burning of the carnival king at the harbour and fireworks over the gulf.

What you actually see

• The Sunday grand parade - satirical floats and thousands of costumed marchers.
• The Saturday night parade - a torchlit procession of masked groups.
• The treasure hunt - teams in costume racing around the city for weeks.
• The burning of the king - the closing ritual and fireworks at the port.

When to go

The final weekend before Clean Monday is the peak; dates shift each year with Orthodox Easter, so check well ahead. Accommodation in Patras books out months in advance for that weekend.

Honest expectations

Crowds are enormous and the city centre closes to traffic; expect to stand for hours and to walk long distances. Weather in February can be cold and wet. Outside the final weekend the events are lower key and mostly for locals.

Nearby

The Rio-Antirrio bridge is minutes north; Ancient Olympia lies two hours south.