Half-Day Private Tour from Katakolon to Olympia & Beach
Description
When your cruise stops at the picturesque port of Katakolon, a visit to Ancient Olympia is a must. With a private driver, travel comfortably from the fishing village to the birthplace of the Olympic Games – the sacred grounds where athletes trained, honored the gods, and competed in events that inspired the world. In this five-hour tour, explore the archaeological site and its iconic monuments, including the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, and the ancient Olympic Stadium. Continue to the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, where masterpieces such as the Hermes of Praxiteles, the Nike of Paionios, and the temple sculptures await. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the modern town of Olympia to shop, stroll the charming streets, or relax at our own centrally located restaurant and café bar. Before returning, stop at the idyllic beach of Agios Andreas for a refreshing swim or a moment by the sea. A unique blend of history, culture, and relaxation.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Katakolon Port, you will be picked up from the spot and at the time arranged. We will be there holding a sign with your name clearly written on it, so that it is easier for you to recognize us. Afterwards you will enjoy safe and comfortable transfer in our luxurious Mercedes vehicles. During your transfer you can enjoy a free wi-fi on board but we will also provide you with a local guide book with all the necessary information about the archaeological site & Museum of Ancient Olympia, free of charge. The duration of the transfer is about 30min.
After an approx. 30 min of enjoyable ride you will reach Ancient Olympia. We will drop you off just outside of the world-wide famous Archaeological Site of Ancient Olympia. Enjoy several hours of free time to explore the site and monuments at your own pace(*the professional licensed guide can be arranged for additional charge if requested). See the gymnasium and Palaestra, where athletes practiced leading up to competition, and feel millennia of energy as you enter the ancient stadium, where ancient Greece’s finest athletes strove to honor the gods through the Olympic ideal. Marvel at the Temple of Zeus, where the famous golden statue of the god—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—once stood. See the Leonidaion, a hotel built in 330 BC to host distinguished guests of the games, and delve even deeper into the history of the world's greatest athletic competition with displays and original artifacts at the Olympia Museum.
The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, one of the most important museums in Greece, presents the long history of the most celebrated sanctuary of antiquity, the sanctuary of Zeus, father of both gods and men, where the Olympic games were born. The museum's permanent exhibition contains finds from the excavations in the sacred precinct of the Altis dating from prehistoric times to the Early Christian period.
Enjoy almost 1 hrs of free time in modern town of Olympia. Visit market streets called also "agora" where you can find various souvenir shops with leathers and ceramis, fashion clothes shops as well as jewlery shops. Afterwards, enjoy Greek hospitality in local tavern or cafee.
On the way back to Katakolo, you will head for your last refreshing stop to Agios Andreas Beach. We will arrive at Agios Andreas after approx. 30 min of drive. Agios Andreas is a beautiful rocky beach, a place of outstanding natural beauty as it was the ancient harbour of Ileia. You will be given approx. 1hr of free time to spend at the beach where you can have coffee, lunch, take photos or have a swim.
After approx. 5 hrs is time to return back to Katakolon port. Make yourself comfortable at the seats of our luxurious vehicles and get back to your cruise ship full of unforgettable memories
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Upon your arrival at Katakolon Port, you will be picked up from the spot (outside of the main buidling of Hellenic Coast Guard Katakolo Port) and at the time arranged. We will be there holding a sign with your name clearly written on it, so that it is easier for you to recognize us.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(60)
Our private tour was perfect for our family. Our guide was very knowledgeable of the area and a great driver. We got to see everything we wanted plus more. We loved walking around Olympia. Our driver had some great recommendations for food and we loved our meal. The beach was very relaxing! Perfect day!
Excellent half-day from Katakolon — exactly what we needed. We were a group of six, ranging from grandparents to kids, and this private tour handled that range perfectly. Our driver met us right where he said he would at the port, sign in hand, and the van was clean, comfortable and properly air-conditioned, which mattered in the August heat. The real value was the guide. Ancient Olympia gets crowded when the ships come in, and he got us past the lines and straight into the site. He knew how to pace things so the older members of our group weren't rushed and the kids stayed interested — no small feat at an archaeological site. Everything ran on time and we were back at the ship with plenty of buffer, which is the thing you actually worry about on a cruise stop. Highly recommended if you're coming off a ship at Katakolon and want to see Olympia properly without the stress.
We had a wonderful day exploring Olympia with Nasos! He was an excellent driver and guide—knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely enjoyable to spend the day with. We really enjoyed the tour and appreciated all of his recommendations, especially the fantastic lunch spot he suggested. We ended the day at a beautiful beach, which was the perfect way to relax after sightseeing. Nasos made the whole experience easy, enjoyable, and memorable. We would absolutely recommend him to anyone visiting Olympia!
This was a great tour. The transportation was a private bus and the guide who traveled with us was wonderful. We arranged for a guide for Olympis which is needed to truly understand the history. We had a wonderful lunch in town with fun shopping. Would highly recommend.
Our driver met us outside the pier in a comfortable vehicle and we had a pleasant ride to Olympia. We opted for a guide in Olympia; Domi was excellent and found places in the shade to sit while she spoke. We were then taken to an authentic Greek restaurant in the nearby town; inexpensive and delicious. We were brought back to the pier in plenty of time before departure.
Highly knowledgeable and very helpful. Helen was professional, kind and accommodating ! Gave many details and was very familiar with the area
Very nice experience with our guide Kostantinos, whom I highly recommend. Available, flexible, and kind.
Paris was so great. Explained everything so great, directed us exactly where to go. We did the olympia sites, lunch in town, and then we went to an olive oil factory.
A pleasant day. Our pickup was on time and a great communicator. Be aware that you are on your own when you are dropped off in Olympia. The little town is charming and we spent too much time there. The beach area Katrina took us to was beautiful and we had wished we had left earlier to spend more time there. Our driver Katrina was first rate.
Antonis was an excellent host. Tailored our day to what we wanted. Just perfect! Antonis I would highly recommend
