Things to do in Elis

Explore the Archeological Site of Olympia on your own with a roundtrip transfer from the Katakolo Cruise port. Drive through the scenic mainland of western Peloponnese and explore the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Return to the port, just in time for your cruise departure. Meet your guide outside of the cruise terminal and board an air-conditioned bus to Ancient Olympia. Buy your admission ticket upon arrival and enter the archeological site. Learn of the origin of the Olympic Games in classical times, held from 776 BC until 393 AD. Marvel at the Temple of Hera and the Olympic flame that burns outside during the modern-day games. See the Temple of Zeus that once housed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Golden and Ivory statue of Zeus. Witness where competitors once swore an oath to honor the rules at the Stadium and Bouleuterion. Feel free to explore at your own pace and choose to visit the modern Village of Olympia for shopping or a traditional meal. Take a moment to swim at the nearby beach before returning to your awaiting cruise ship.

Travel back in time to the site of the first Olympic Games, and the Unesco-listed ruins of Ancient Olympia. Go directly to the archaeological site of the ancient Olympia, one of the archaeological highlights of the Peloponnese.Stroll and admire the remains of temples. See the Temple of Zeus, the largest temple in the Peloponnese, considered by many to be the perfect example of Doric architecture.Next, visit The Temple of Hera, one of the oldest monumental temples in Greece. Explore the stadium, hippodrome, wrestling school, and gymnasium where Olympic athletes trained. Continue to the archaeological museum that presents the long history of the most-celebrated sanctuary of antiquity: the sanctuary of Zeus. Take in a vast number of finds from the excavations in the sacred precinct of the Altis.Conclude your visit wit a stop at The Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Olympia. Learn the important history of the Olympic Games and hosts findings related to the period when the ancient games took place.

Meet your host at the local partner's office in Olympia, who will then explain how the virtual reality (VR) glasses work. After the short introduction, begin your virtual tour at the Archeological Site and step back in time to experience ancient Olympia. Listen to interesting facts about each monument and see many monuments come to life again.  You’ll first visit the Ancient Gymnasium, where athletes used to train for the Olympic Games before making your way to Palestra, the training place of boxers and wrestlers. Next, you’ll stop at the Phidias Workshop, where Phidias created one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Heading east, you will see the Temple of Zeus and virtually enter the monument to see the magnificent Statue of Zeus. Then, find yourself in the Ancient Stadium. Through your VR glasses, you will get to experience an ancient sporting event. See athletes competing for the Olympics and admire them from the finishing line. Then head over to the ruins of the Nymphaeum of Herodes of Atticus. With the help of your VR glasses, you’ll be able to see the ruins of the Nymphaeum in its full grandeur and see it come to life again. Last, see the lighting of the Olympic Flame in ancient times and discover that some traditions have remained the same until today.

Day 1: Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then, proceed to the town of Nafplio (short photo stop), drive on to Mycenae and visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then, depart for Olympia through central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games (dinner) Day 2: In the morning, visit the archaeological site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ancient stadium, the spot where the torch of the modern Olympic Games is lit and the Archaeological Museum. Then, drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the magnificent bridge that crosses the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea. Arrive in Delphi (dinner and overnight) Day 3: In the morning, visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi, the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, surrounded by gigantic rocks (dinner and overnight) Day 4: Visit Meteora, a striking scenery perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road to Leonida's Monument). Arrive in Athens early in the evening.

Start your tour with a visit to the Corinth Canal, a site of utmost historical significance. Enjoy a brief 15 minute stop here and take plenty of pictures whilst you have a refreshing beverage. Next, continue your travels to Ancient Olympia, where you will get to stop and discover with your driver for around 5 hours.  During your time here, you will get to visit some of ancient Greece's most iconic landmarks, such as the Archaeological Site of Olympia, the Philippeion, the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, the Museum of the Olympic Games and the Archimedes Museum. Whilst in the city of Olympia, your driver will be able to suggest a delicious, traditional Greek tavern for you to stop and have lunch.

Upon arrival, transfer by private vehicle from Katakolon, the port of your arrival, to the ancient site of Olympia. Wander through the place where the ancient athletes lived, trained, made sacrifices to gods, and competed absorbing the wisdom of the ancient Greeks at iconic ruins. Ponder the existence of Zeus at the stunning temple built in his honor, once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Discover the place where the Olympic Flame is ignited every four years for the modern Olympic Games. Step back in history at this stadium, run and follow the footprints of the first athletes. Take a picture of yours on the marble starting line extant up to this day. The tour continues in the museum. There, admire the unique pediments of the temple of Zeus, two immense sculpted complexes. Discover significant ancient artifacts from the site, but the masterpiece of ancient Greek art, Hermes of Praxiteles will astound you. Later on, take a stroll through the town of Olympia and soak up the modern flavor of the town. Sit at a town’s café, go shopping or savor a traditional Greek meal. Wine lovers may want to take an optional excursion to a local winery built by the sea in natural scenery and sip on the wines produced there. If you choose to swim in turquoise blue waters, the beach is organized and you can relax and enjoy a beverage or Greek nibbles. The private vehicle will always be nearby to facilitate your transfer and at the end of the day you can safely return to the port.

Day 1: Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive to Epidaurus, and pay a visit to the archaeological site and to the theatre, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Continue on to Nauplia for a short stop. Next, drive to Mycenae where you will visit the fascinating archaeological site. Depart for Olympia, passing through the central Peloponnese area and passing the cities of Megalopolis and Tripolis. Finally, arrive in Olympia for dinner and overnight stay. There is also a possibility of staying in Nauplia instead. (Dinner included). Day 2: In the morning visit the archaeological site and the museum of Olympia. Drive via Patras to Rion, cross the channel to Antirion on the state of the art suspension bridge, known as the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in Nafpaktos, then continue to Delphi. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Delphi. (Breakfast and dinner included). Day 3: First, visit the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi. Depart for Kalambaka, passing through Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala. Arrive in Kalambaka, and savor a dinner before your overnight stay. (Breakfast and dinner included). Day 4: In the morning, visit the breathtaking Meteora. In the early afternoon, start the drive back to Athens passing via Thermopylae and Kammena Vourla. (Breakfast included). This tour offers the opportunity to visit the most impressive historical Greek sites, giving you an insight into the glorious past of Greece.

Join the hop-on hop-off bus tour of Katakolo and Pyrgos. Explore the surrounding nature and learn about the region's ancient history. Visit churches, museums, and wander the city streets as you please. Appreciate a bus every 30 minutes, just steps away from the cruise port. Catch the bus just 2-minutes from the cruise port and experience Katakolo's natural beauty and ancient history. Learn of the city's main export and prominent role in cruise ship tourism of the region. Appreciate the picturesque seaside village, littered with cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Next, stop at Manolopoulou Street in Pyrgos city center where you can visit the Eparcheion, a tower built on the tallest of seven hills that surround the area. Discover the rich economic history of the city and admire the neoclassical houses constructed in the 19th century. Arrive next at the Archaeological Museum of Pyrgos which was once a public marketplace. Wander through the various exhibitions that span the entire spectrum of local history. Discover the building's architectural influences and the role it played in the 1950s. On the way back to the port, make a stop at the Orthodox Church of Saint John. Roam around the streets of Katakolo, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy an ice cream. Swim at a nearby beach if you have time and ride one more stop back to the terminal.

This exciting 3-day and environmentally responsible tour takes you to the most important archaeological sites of classical Greece. Providing a superb introduction to some of the myths of the ancient world, you will visit the tomb of Agamemnon in Mycenae, the Temple of Apollo and Oracle at Delphi, and the altar of the Olympic flame at Olympia. You will also make short stops in the cities of Tripolis and Megalopolis, drive past the mighty Corinth Canal, and see the charming harbor town of Nafpaktos. Day 1: Epidaurus – Nayplia - Mycenae Following your departure from Athens, visit the Corinth Canal on the Saronic Gulf and admire the miraculous 19th-century feat of engineering. Continue to Epidaurus to tour the ancient theater, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Proceed to Nafplia, former capital of the First Hellenic Republic, and drive through the plain of Argos. Upon arrival in Mycenae, visit the ruins of the citadel and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Continue to Olympia for your overnight stay, traveling via the cities of Tripolis and Megalopolis, where you can take short stops to stretch your legs or purchase souvenir items. Day 2: Olympia - Delphi Visit the archaeological remains of Olympia, site of the Olympic Games in classical times and sacred ground to the Ancient Greeks. Admire the Doric columns of the Temples of Zeus and Hera, see the remains of the Stadium, and go to the altar of the Olympic flame. Explore the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, located directly opposite the ruins and filled with excavated artifacts. Depart Olympia for Rion, and cross the Corinthian Bay via the new bridge to Antirion. Sit back and enjoy the ride along the coastal road to Delphi, passing the charming small harbor city of Nafpaktos. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova on the slopes of the Parnassus Mountains, before your overnight stay in Delphi. Day 3: Delphi - Athens Today, experience the mysterious atmosphere of Delphi up close, with a tour of the archaeological site perched high on the Parnassus Mountains. Once regarded as the center of the world, Delphi was connected to the worship of Gaia, or Mother Earth, and guarded by a Python dragon that was killed by Apollo. Visit the temple dedicated to Apollo and learn about the great Oracle of Delphi. Continue to the theater, where up to 5,000 spectators would watch plays, poetry readings, and festivals. Enjoy superb views of the Parnassus Mountains and valley from the top of the hill and explore an impressive collection of artefacts and relics associated with ancient Delphi at the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon, make your way back to Athens, driving through the vine and olive tree-studded hills of Parnassus and the Valley of Phocis.

Wander through the place where the ancient athletes lived, trained, offered sacrifices to the gods and competed at these iconic ruins. Discover where the Olympic flame is ignited every 4 years for the modern Olympic Games.  Step back in history at this stadium and run in the footsteps of the first athletes. Take your own pictures on the marble starting line, that still exists to this day.  The tour continues in the museum. Discover significant ancient artifacts from the archaeological site - the masterpiece of ancient Greek art, Hermes of Praxiteles will astound you.