PORT OF CALL : KATAKOLON
THINGS TO DO IN KATAKOLON, GREECE
THE PORT OF KATAKOLON
One port of call that you’ve may never have heard of when booking a cruise around the Greek Islands or Eastern Mediterranean is Katakolon.
This small port, in mainland Greece, sits on the coast of the Ionian Sea. The name is not anglicised on maps and tends to appear as Katakolo.
In itself its probably not the most exciting port that you will visit on your cruise itinerary.
Yet there are some good things to do in Katakolon that make it a port of call worth visiting.
I’ve been three times now and have found reasons to enjoy my visit each time.
ANCIENT OLYMPIA
Its fair to say the main reason Katakolon makes it as a port of call on so many cruise itineraries is because its the gateway to a much more famous site. Ancient Olympia.
You will be there with lots of other tourists, but they all want to see the same things.
On my first visit to Katakolon this was the shore excursion I did.
This was only my second cruise ever, sailing on the cruise ship Ocean Village.
I always book my tours through the ship, even today, especially when you are travelling some distance. Olympia is about 22 miles from the port of Katakolon and a 30 to 45 minute drive. However this is such a popular place to visit that you would easily find independent tours if you preferred.
We visited the ancient site of Olympia, which was ruined by earthquakes over the centuries.
There are reconstructed colonnades among the ruins, whose significance was explained by the guide. But you also had some time to explore by yourself.
After the tour we had a short visit to a museum where archaeological finds and statues from the time were housed.
Olympics
Olympia was the legendary home of the original Olympic Games. In fact the Olympic torch, that tours the World prior to the modern Olympics, is still lit in a ceremony that takes place in Olympia.
You get to see the ruins of the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic flame is lit by the rays of the sun in a special ceremony several months before each modern Olympic Games.
The ancient stadium where running races were held still has the stone inlaid start and finish lines. You can treat yourself to a race in the arena. Or maybe just a leisurely stroll across the line while you soak up the atmosphere, which was more my style.
I have certainly seen more interesting ruins, but the significance of these ones is the real highlight.
Top Tip: It can be extremely hot in the summer and there is not much shade. Don’t forget a hat, sun cream and water!
Wonder of the World
Olympia was also home to one of the seven ancient Wonders of the World, the statue of Zeus at Olympia.
This statue was reputed to be 41 feet, or over 12 metres, tall and was housed in the Temple of Zeus. It was made of ivory, gold and precious stones and seated on an equally ornate throne.
Sadly as with all of the Wonders, except the Great Pyramid of Giza, it was destroyed in antiquity.
However if, like me, you like to at least collect sites of historical significance its a nice one to tick off your list. You can still see the ruined foundations of the temple of Zeus.
KATAKOLON HIGH STREET
The main stretch of the town of Katakolon consists of two or three long streets, that run from the port, roughly parallel to the sea front.
Along the central main road are gift shops selling Greek souvenirs. Olive oil, soap, textiles and clothes are popular. So are models of ancient Greek heroes if collecting historical souvenirs is your thing.
The sea front road includes bars to have a drink and grab some local food. Although you can also find bars, restaurants and ice cream shops on the other streets too.
At the far end closest to the port there is even a small beach and beach bar.
It won’t take long to explore this port of call, but Katakolon is still worth getting off the ship for a walk.
That’s exactly what I did on my cruise aboard Ocean Village Two the following year. Having been on tour the year before I stayed in port and explored the town by myself. Not as exciting, being so soon after my last visit. But it is always nice just to say you have set foot in Greece.
TOURIST TRAIN
In 2022 I visited again aboard Celebrity Beyond. This time I had the benefit of it being years since my previous visit. Even so the main street was as nice as I remembered.
If you have read some of my other blog posts you might know that I like a little tourist train.
They have the benefits of showing you what there is to see whilst resting your legs. And they are generally quite cheap.
A tourist train is a nice idea for exploring a bit further beyond this port of call in Katakolon.
I jumped on one that was just leaving the seafront car park as I arrived. It wasn’t planned, just a spontaneous trip as I timed it right.
We travelled along the coastal road and past green fields and roads lined with the ubiquitous olive trees that you see everywhere in Greece.
The train stopped in the car park of a seafront bar. Here we were given the opportunity to get off and have a drink or snack and be picked up on a later train. That wasn’t really my thing, so I just did a round trip, as did all of my fellow passengers. It was a nice ride, but I had hoped to see more.
When I got back to town I did notice that there were slightly fancier trains parked a bit further down the street. I think these perhaps visit more stops on their journey. I have seen longer tours online. So maybe there are multiple tour operators (I didn’t ask).
I’d recommend checking where the train stops at, so you catch the best one for you.
Cruise Tip: Don’t forget to ask how long it takes and how frequent the return journeys are. You don’t want to miss the ship!
MUSEUM OF ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY
For my 2022 visit I did a bit of online research about Katakolon, knowing how small a port of call it was.
I came across the Museum of Ancient Technology. This is located at the end of the main street through Katakolon, and an easy walk from the town. Although you will no doubt be distracted by the shops on the way!
As it happened it was across the road when I got off my train ride.
This is only a small, two storey museum. It only costs a few Euros entrance fee.
It was fantastic though.
I had no idea how much off our modern technology is built on the inventions of the Ancient Greeks.
The museum is filled with models and reconstructions of these inventions. It also describes how they are still used in modern equipment. You’d be amazed how much of a modern car has ancient forebears.
There is a water driven alarm clock. An ancient automaton, a robot well before anyone had heard of robots! Working siphons, water screws and countless other quirky items. Often invented by famous figures from Greek history.
Upstairs are models of catapults, Greek triremes and the evolution of these ships and weapons of war.
Its all very interactive too. Certainly child friendly.
It was such an interesting visit. I would highly recommend you call in if you have spare time in port during your trip to Katakolon.
KATAKOLON – DEFINITELY WORTH A WALK
It would be easy to treat Katakolon as one of those ports of call where you don’t get off the ship, especially if you have been before.
However I think that even if its just for an hour or two this small port is worth a walk.
Obviously if this is your first trip go to Olympia. Its a site to see.
But if you are staying in town the Museum of Ancient Technology was a real treat.
Even if you just spend an hour browsing in the shops, with an ice cream, it is worthwhile.
Katakolon may not be the biggest port of call on your cruise itinerary, but it can certainly make a nice relaxing day out.
