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A visit to Katakolon Port

Katakolon is a quiet seaside Greek town in western Ilia, Pyrgos municipality. It is located by the side of the Ionian Sea on the Peloponnese peninsula. Katakolon became a port in 1857 but today the port is mainly used by cruise passengers to disembark. The town has a population of around 600 people.

Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia where the ancient Greeks flocked every four years for more than a millennium to celebrate the sacred games in honor of the god Zeus. In Katakolon you can visit the local galleries and shops found on the main street that have traditional Greek crafts done by the local artists. The cafes here have wonderful fresh seafood and their menus are mostly made of the locals’ favorite delicacies.

When in Katakolon, cruise passengers can travel a short distance to visit the ruins at Olympia, which is only a short 30-minute drive from the port.

Here you will find the amazing ruins of significant ancient buildings including the gymnasium, the guesthouse, a workshop, the temples of Zeus and Hera, and even the stadium. The stadium is pretty remarkable as it had a capacity of up to 40,000 people.

The city of Olympia also has a museum where all the archaeological findings are preserved. There is a unique collection of Greek sculpture, bronze figurines, and even ancient pieces of armor found during the excavations. These are all preserved in the museum. Olympia is a charming place and tourists can enjoy visiting the various shops here and using the services accorded to both Greek and international tourists.

The closest airports is the Kalamata Airport and the Zakynthos Airport, Zakynthos is also a popular destination 2 hours from Katakolon, great holiday place with many Zante holiday deals.

It is also important to note that the official currency for Greece is the Euro (EUR) as it is part of the European Union. Cruise passengers can use credit cards and travelers’ checks as they are widely accepted in Katakolon.