Each year in Patras, in the region of Achaea, the famous Patrino Karnavali is being organized.

The Patras Carnival or Patrino Karnavali, as it is widely known in greek, is the biggest carnival in Greece, concentrating hundreds of thousands of people that take place in it or are just visiting. Its starting point is considered to be the first carnival dance that followed the Greek Revolution and was organized in 1829 in Patras. The Carnival of Patras (Patrino Karnavali) starts every year on 17 January and ends on Clean Monday.

The Carnival of Patras (Patrino Karnavali)is not just a carnival parade but a huge cultural event, and it is no exaggeration to say that the entire Patras lives at its pace.

Throughout the Patras Carnival numerous events are being organized. Dances, treasure hunt, carnival for the young, the Bourboulia, theatrical performances, concerts, exhibitions, cinema tributes etc. The climax is reached in the last weekend of the Carnival, with the Saturday night parade of the masqueraded and the spectacular parade of both the masqueraded and the chariots/floats on Sunday, which is topped with the ritual burning of the King Carnival (vasilias karnavalos) in the port of Patras.

Once the Carnival of Patras is over, the masqueraders and all those taking part in it, do not fall into melancholy as one might expect, but rather already begin to think about next year's uniforms and topics.

Patras Carnival (Patrino Karnavali) is a must-lived experience even for once. Take special care though to make your reservations on time, since during the Carnival days Patras literally "sinks" from the thousands of visitors.

More information about the Carnival of Patras-Patrino Karnavali you can find inwww.carnivalpatras.gr and the number 2610 390921.