Your stay — Second Home
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The Property — Second Home
A converted 19th-century neoclassical townhouse, Second Home feels more like a well-kept private residence than a 3-star hotel. The lobby is cool and airy, with worn marble floors, a small honesty bar and a wooden staircase that creaks just enough. Rooms are compact but spotless, with high ceilings and original shutters; the USP is the central location a two-minute walk from the Psila Alonia central square. It suits independent travellers or couples who prefer character and quiet over frills and a pool.
Chronicles of Patra
Patra was founded in antiquity as a Mycenaean settlement and became a major Roman port under Augustus, with parts of the Roman aqueduct and Odeon still visible today. Its modern identity was shaped by the 18th- and 19th-century merchant mansions along the waterfront and the vast neoclassical Apollo Theatre, built in 1872. The city rebuilt extensively after the 1993 earthquake, and today it’s Greece’s third-largest urban centre, known for its working port, university buzz and the raucous three-day Carnival in February. Contemporary Patra balances its industrial grit with a lively café culture along the coastal road and a strong local pride in its music and literary festivals.
Best Time to Visit
Full Patra guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm sunshine (mid-20s °C) without the July-August heatwave, and cruise-ship crowds are still thin.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the heat peak (often 35°C+), coinciding with the Patra International Festival’s theatre and music events. Hotel prices double, and rooms at properties like Second Home book out four weeks ahead. The street-party atmosphere on Psila Alonia square peaks mid-August.
Budget shoulder season
October and April offer 20-40% discounts, 20–24°C weather, and empty archaeological sites. The city is quieter, but all major museums and ferries run normally.
Weather & packing
Patra gets occasional strong afternoon sea breezes (the *meltemi*), so even in July a light jacket or linen scarf is useful for evening harbour walks. Pack sunblock, a reusable water bottle, and one long-sleeve layer for the wind.
Live City Briefing — Patra
- The new Patra coastal promenade extension (from Agios Andreas beach to the Rio bridge) opened in March 2026, offering a 3km walking-and-cycling path with public water fountains.
- The Patra International Festival runs from 25 June to 28 July 2026; expect evening concerts at the Roman Odeon and street closures around Psila Alonia square.
- Ferry services to Ancona and Bari from Patra port are running a reduced winter schedule until 1 July 2026, but daily sailings resume on your travel date — book 7 days ahead for vehicle spots.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Second Home, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing away from the main road. These floors sit above street-level bustle but still get decent natural light, and the lift serves them reliably.
Rooms to avoid
Skip the 1st floor (street-level noise and foot traffic) and any room directly above the bar or reception — the evening music and lobby chatter can carry. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the motor hum is noticeable at night.
Best views
Ask for a rear-facing room (courtyard side) if you prefer quiet over scenery. Front-facing rooms with a street view might show the harbour glimpses but come with traffic rumble. No sea view is guaranteed at this height and price point.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest — high enough to avoid street noise, low enough to avoid roof machinery or elevator motor whine from the top floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Patra's main roads get heavy scooter and bus traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel's bar area (ground floor) can produce low music buzz until midnight on weekends. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms — especially on floors 1 and 5 where the motor room is close.
Insider tips
Book a room with a small balcony if you like fresh air — the stairwell can feel stuffy. For parking, use the municipal lot two blocks south (signposted) — it's cheaper than the hotel's own spot and you avoid the tricky one-way system around the port.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Second Home
Free Wi-Fi for up to 4 devices per room, download speed ~20 Mbps, no login credentials – just connect to 'SecondHome_Guest'. No paid upgrade tier.
One small electric lift serves all 5 floors (max 4 people). Stairs available as backup.
Digital newsstand not offered. Two physical Greek newspapers (Kathimerini, Ta Nea) in lobby for reading only. No takeaway.
Check-in 15:00–23:00. Early bag drop from 12:00 (€5). Late check-out to 14:00 subject to availability (€25). After 14:00 charged full night.
Free secure storage at reception during your stay (even post check-out same day). No overnight storage allowed.
Step-free entrance via ramp from Othonos-Amalias street. Ground floor reception and café accessible. Lift fits standard wheelchair. No adapted guest bathrooms on upper floors.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park 'Parking Agiou Nikolaou' at 80m (€8 per 24h, open 07:00–23:00). Street parking free after 21:00 but limited and with blue-zone restrictions (pay 08:00–21:00). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night mandatory municipal accommodation tax, payable at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via credit card required at booking (non-refundable). At check-in, a €50 incidental hold is placed on card, released at check-out if no extras.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Παντάνασσα (198 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Εισόδια της Θεοτόκου (237 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Παντοκράτορας (355 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Άγιος Παΐσιος (435 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Πλατεία Αγίου Γεωργίου — 65 m · ~1 min walk
Μουσείο Λαϊκής Τέχνης — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Ρωμαϊκό Ωδείο — 128 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Eurobank — 191 m · ~2 min walk
Αθανασόπουλου Νικολίτσα — 223 m · ~3 min walk
Papalikoneyoi — 512 m · ~6 min walk
ΚΤΕΛ ΚΕΦΑΛΛΗΝΙΑΣ Πατρα — 832 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in the city centre for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist spots, which charge high fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets, cafes and shops; contactless is common but carry small cash for street markets and some tavernas.
Restaurants: round up the bill or leave 5-10% for good service. Taxis: round up to the nearest euro. Hotel staff: €1-2 per bag for porters, leave a few euros for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A freddo espresso or cappuccino at a local kafeneio or bakery — around €2.50-3.50.
A gyros pita from a street-side grill — about €3-4.
A main course at a traditional taverna — around €8-12, like moussaka or grilled fish.
The pedestrian streets around Agiou Nikolaou and the port area have a mix of souvlaki, gyros and cheese pies at reasonable prices.
Supermarket chains AB Vassilopoulos and Masoutis are common; Lidl and My market also have branches in Patra.
The main shopping street (Riga Feraiou) has affordable high-street brands like H&M, Zara and local chains; the Saturday flea market near the port sells second-hand clothes.
Local bus day pass is about €2.50; from the airport (GPA) take the bus to the city centre (€2) or a taxi for €15-20.
Eat at tavernas away from the main tourist drag; buy snacks from supermarkets; use the municipal market for fresh, cheap produce.
Good to know — Patra
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
PatraFor general emergencies, dial 112 (EU-wide). For tourist police in Patra, use 2610 621 902. For hospitals, call the University General Hospital of Patra at 2610 999 999.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Patra, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Second Home
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Eurobank — 191 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Αθανασόπουλου Νικολίτσα — 223 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Patras Central Bus Station (KTEL) → Agios Nikolaos Street (city centre)
💡 Validate your ticket in the onboard machine—fines are €60; the bus can be packed at peak hours, so consider a taxi for the last mile if you have heavy luggage.
Athens International Airport → Patras city centre hotels
💡 Use a licensed operator like Patraiki Express for flat rates; confirm the price in advance as meters can run high on the highway.
Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis) → Patras Railway Station
💡 Trains are less frequent than buses but more comfortable for work; buy a first-class ticket for quiet carriages and power sockets.
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) → Patras Central Bus Station (KTEL)
💡 Book tickets online at KTEL Achaia's website to skip queues; buses depart from Gate 4 at the arrivals level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Second Home?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing away from the main road. These floors sit above street-level bustle but still get decent natural light, and the lift serves them reliably.
Which rooms should I avoid at Second Home?
Skip the 1st floor (street-level noise and foot traffic) and any room directly above the bar or reception — the evening music and lobby chatter can carry. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the motor hum is noticeable at night.
Is Second Home noisy?
Patra's main roads get heavy scooter and bus traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel's bar area (ground floor) can produce low music buzz until midnight on weekends. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms — especially on floors 1 and 5 where the motor room is close.
Which rooms have the best views at Second Home?
Ask for a rear-facing room (courtyard side) if you prefer quiet over scenery. Front-facing rooms with a street view might show the harbour glimpses but come with traffic rumble. No sea view is guaranteed at this height and price point.
What are insider tips for staying at Second Home?
Book a room with a small balcony if you like fresh air — the stairwell can feel stuffy. For parking, use the municipal lot two blocks south (signposted) — it's cheaper than the hotel's own spot and you avoid the tricky one-way system around the port.
What time is check-in at Second Home?
Check-in at Second Home is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Second Home have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for up to 4 devices per room, download speed ~20 Mbps, no login credentials – just connect to 'SecondHome_Guest'. No paid upgrade tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Second Home?
€1.50 per room per night mandatory municipal accommodation tax, payable at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Second Home?
A gyros pita from a street-side grill — about €3-4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Second Home?
Local bus day pass is about €2.50; from the airport (GPA) take the bus to the city centre (€2) or a taxi for €15-20.
When is the best time to visit Patra?
May, June and September: warm sunshine (mid-20s °C) without the July-August heatwave, and cruise-ship crowds are still thin.
Top Attractions in Patra
💡 Go late afternoon for fewer crowds and better light photos. Check local listings if a show is on—tickets are cheap, 5–8€.
💡 Bring water—no kiosks inside. Best at sunset for gold light over the sea. The moat area is great for kids to run around.
💡 Weekend mornings often have a small flea market—good for secondhand books and local crafts. Grab a souvlaki from nearby for under 4€.
💡 Stop at Platanos square for a cheap coffee (2€). Look up for the surviving 19th-century iron balconies.
💡 Free entry on the first Sunday of every month from November to March. Arrive before 11am to avoid queues.