Katakolon Port

Landing in Katakolon, a peaceful fishing village, you can head up to Olympia, the site of the original Olympic Games. Beginning in 776 BC, they were held every four years for almost four centuries before they were banned by Emperor Theodosius. After the games were ended, the temples were destroyed, with the destruction further compounded by an earthquake in the 6^th Century and later flooding. It’s now one of the world’s leading archaeological sites, home to ruins of the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Zeus. You can also see where the original Stadium for the games was situated, with the marble starting blocks still in their position.

Beyond the fascinating ruins, there are other local attractions if you’ve time to visit. The Domain Mercouri Winery is one of the region’s oldest vineyards, while the Magna Grecia farm grows olives and welcomes visitors to learn more about the agricultural history of the region. Or you may wish to simply unwind on the beach, with the stretching sands of Kourouta lined with friendly tavernas giving you the ideal place to unwind.

The currency in Olympia is the Euro. Olympia is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +3).