Although I only wandered a few blocks from the ferry port, I really liked the Patras I saw.

It was grubby, crumbling, chaotic, bustling, noisy, hot, dusty and interesting.

Of course, since I only had an hour before we boarded the ferry I didn't get up to the castle that looms over the city, nor look into any of the old churches. But my quick ramble across the rusty railway lines and up and down narrow streets was enough to make me want to spend a day here next time we come to Greece by ferry.

The railway station is a sea of weedy decay, despite having some wonderful old buildings, with waggons and carriages rusting away in forgotten sidings. As trains depart towards the west, they cross a busy intersection. Here a severe lady in a smart black dress holds up the traffic with a red flag.

Hanging around the station are groups of young men. They appear to be waiting to attempt to smuggle themselves aboard the ferries. At intervals they climb over the dockside fence and fan out amongst the parked trucks. At slightly longer intervals the police turn up and chase them out. We watched this strange ritual repeated over and over the whole time we were waiting for the ferry to sail.

We rented a car from Budget in Patras, via Economy Car Rentals. Our experience wasn't a great one. We won't rent from them again.