Best Olympia Shore Excursion from Katakolon Port
Description
Embark on a captivating shore excursion from the cruise port and uncover the wonders of Ancient Olympia, where history, architecture, and culture come vividly to life. Begin your journey at the legendary archaeological site—the birthplace of the Olympic Games—before continuing to the renowned Archaeological Museum, home to priceless artifacts and timeless masterpieces. After your guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the charming town, browse local shops for handmade crafts, or savor traditional Greek delicacies—the perfect way to complete this memorable experience. With a carefully planned itinerary, a flexible 24-hour cancellation policy, and a guaranteed on-time return to your ship, you can relax and enjoy every moment without a single worry. Join us for an unforgettable day in Olympia—where ancient glory meets modern comfort.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our professional team, ready to guide you on an unforgettable journey. Sit back and relax in comfort as you travel through the scenic Peloponnese countryside, passing olive groves, rolling hills, and charming villages on your way to Ancient Olympia—the legendary birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Step back nearly 3,000 years into the heart of ancient sporting glory. This sacred site hosted the first Olympic Games in 776 BC, and to this day, the Olympic Flame is lit here before every modern Games. Wander through the Temple of Zeus, once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and visit the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic Torch begins its timeless journey. Stroll through the ancient gymnasium and athlete training grounds, then enter the original Olympic stadium, still echoing with the spirit of competition and even reused during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. For a truly unforgettable moment, you can run on the very same track that once welcomed both ancient and modern athletes alike!
Deepen your journey with a visit to one of Greece’s most renowned museums, where the past unfolds with striking clarity. Step into galleries where history comes alive through the exquisite Hermes by Praxiteles, alongside timeless sculptures, treasured artifacts, and everyday objects that reveal the rhythm of ancient life. Each display weaves together themes of mythology, athletic tradition, and divine legacy, offering a richer understanding of the world you’ve just explored among the ruins. It’s the perfect complement to your site visit—adding depth, context, and a sense of wonder at every turn.
Enjoy your leisure time in the peaceful village of modern Olympia, home to fewer than 600 residents. Wander its cozy streets lined with local shops, family-run tavernas, and artisan boutiques, where you can savor Greek delicacies or find one-of-a-kind souvenirs to remember your visit
After a day filled with history, culture, and unforgettable moments, relax in comfort on your return to port. With over 20 years of expertise in crafting cruise-friendly excursions, we guarantee a seamless experience with on-time return to your ship and no worries along the way. Let the stories of Olympia travel with you—memories of gods, games, and Greek charm that will stay with you long after your cruise continues
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will arrange to pick you up at THE CRUISE TERMINAL holding a sign reading ‘J A T’. Please note, that THE PICKUP TIME STATED IN YOUR BOOKING CONFIRMATION IS APPROXIMATE AND MAY BE ADJUSTED. The precise meeting time will be communicated to you via a subsequent email and message
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Kindly note that the start time displayed on our website is a general estimate for the activity’s commencement and may not correspond to your specific pick-up time. We recommend checking your email the day before the scheduled activity to receive detailed pick-up information, including the exact pick-up time. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us via email, WhatsApp, or phone.
- Please note that the sequence of the tour itinerary and the time spent at each location might be adjusted in response to variables like traffic conditions, crowd sizes, and unforeseen events. However, we will our best to cover all the destinations mentioned in the itinerary.
- Please be advised that this tour is not wheelchair or scooter accessible and may not be suitable for individuals with limited mobility.
Reviews(17)
We took this tour when our cruise ship visited and had a great experience visiting Olympia and the museum. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Great day
Theodora was an amazing guide; kind, gracious, and courteous to all. She was very knowledgeable and willing to answer any & all questions; and had sweet, personable, and accommodating personality. Your travel agency struck gold when you hired her.
It was a nightmare from the beginning! Our guide was very well informed but honestly had no clue how to adjust her presentation to accommodate her entire group. From the time we began walking down the hill to the ruins, she charged ahead and paid no attention to anyone who was falling behind. I talked to her about this and she apologized. But when we went into the actual site, it was just as bad. We were told that because we had not mentioned my husband used a cane, it was our fault we couldn’t keep up. He had hurt his foot right before we left. We tried to be accommodating by offering to leave the track earlier and meet them at the entrance. Then she left us behind again when we walked to the museum. We decided to meet her at the bus but when I tried to tell her, she looked right at me and walked away. I told another member of the group that we would meet them at the bus. We walked back up the hill to the parking lot but our bus wasn’t there. The bus drivers who were there said there was another parking lot where they might be so we went down the very steep stairs (no handrail) and checked there. No luck. I tried calling the activity provider and got a voice mail in Greek. Couldn’t understand it so I didn’t leave a message. Next I looked at the message the provider and there was our guide’s phone number. I called her and she said it was the original parking lot. By now, my husband and another couple (who had had the same problem) were exhausted. We took a cab back to the port. I called her again to tell her we were taking a cab back. She was more concerned about the headsets than she was us. To the point where she had Viator call me as well. JAT was a horrible provider!! They have refused to refund our money and have not answered my calls. I WILL never book with them again!
We regret to hear about your disappointment. However, please note that the “Additional Info” section clearly states that this tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for guests with limited walking ability, such as your husband. When booking future activities with Viator, we highly recommend paying careful attention to the product description and restrictions. In consideration of fellow cruise passengers with limited time ashore, you may wish to consider booking private tours that can be adjusted to your husband’s pace. Safe travels.
We scheduled this tour through Viator. We were told the tour started at 1, but we didn’t leave until 1:30. That should have been my first clue! It was a large bus with a variety of ages and abilities in the tour group. When we had booked it, the page stated it may not be for the mobility impaired. No explanation; no details; nothing. Once we got to Olympia we had to walk down a long steep hill to the actual site. This honestly would not have been a problem IF our guide had not charged off down the hill. There were several couples who had an extremely hard time keeping up. By the time we got down the hill, Theodora was nowhere in sight. I finally saw her at the ticket line where I then went. I explained to her that she had literally left some of the group behind and she needed to slow down. She apologized and said she had no idea. THAT was not a surprise. She honestly had no clue we were even part of the group. As we toured Olympia, we would have been able to enjoy every bit if she had slowed down and made sure we were there. Mobility impairment does not mean leave part of the group behind. We attempted to not be a problem by saying we will leave early from a certain we and meet you at the entrance. Next, we were supposed to go to the museum. Once again, we were so far behind that we felt as if we were more of a bother than anything. The final straw was that we were going to just meet them back at the bus, but when we got to the parking lot, it wasn’t there. We were told it could be in a different lot, so we started walking there. I had called JAT, the provider but it went to voicemail in Greek. I finally got Theodora’s number and told her we were just going to take a taxi back to the port. She was more worried about the headphones we had than the fact that our tour was a disaster. She even called Viator to have them call us. I requested a refund but they said I had not put in any information about my husband using a cane. Therefore, it was our fault. We have done many other moderate excursions and never been made to feel this way.
We regret to hear that our services did not meet your expectations. Please allow us to address the concerns raised: In full accordance with the “Meeting and Pickup” section of the tour description, we always begin pickup 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Guests who prefer not to wait for fellow cruise passengers to disembark may arrive closer to the tour start time stated on their ticket or consider booking a private tour rather than a shared group tour. As you confirmed in your feedback, the tour description clearly states that this tour is not recommended for guests with limited walking ability. As this is a shared group tour, we are unable to reduce the standard group pace to match the pace of the slowest participant. Guests with mobility concerns should carefully review the tour restrictions before booking and consider the limited time ashore of other participants. A private tour may be a more suitable option for guests requiring a slower pace or greater flexibility. Your refund request has been carefully reviewed and respectfully declined in full accordance with Tripadvisor’s cancellation policy. When booking future activities, we strongly recommend basing your expectations on the tour description, itinerary, inclusions, and restrictions rather than on personal assumptions. Safe travels.
Theodora is a gem. A lovely lady very caring looked after us all and was very knowledgeable imparting much of that information to us in a measured way. A really well balanced tour highly recommend..
Very informative, good value for money. Olympia Site is very exposed, not a lot of shade. Need hat or umbrella for protection. Museum is well worth a visit. Theodora, our guide, was excellent.
Our day in Olympia was absolutely unforgettable! From the moment we were picked up from the port of Katakolon, everything ran very smoothly. The transportation was comfortable and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and mythology of ancient Greece. Walking through the archaeological site, seeing the Temple of Zeus, and learning about the birthplace of the Olympic Games was fascinating. We also loved the free time we had to explore at our own pace and take photos. The tour exceeded all our expectations and provided memories that we will cherish forever.
The perfect combination of sightseeing and leisure. The guide was friendly, informative and attentive. Olympia is amazing and this tour made it easy to enjoy everything stress-free.
A fantastic day exploring Olympia! The ancient ruins came to life with the guide's storytelling and we felt the tour was educational and enjoyable. Smooth pickup and drop-off at the port too.
One of the best shore excursions we’ve done! The guide was very knowledgeable, the transportation was comfortable and we had just the right amount of time to enjoy the attractions of Olympia without rushing.
