As your cruise moves north eastwards through the Med towards the next port, after entering the Ionian Sea, you should be berthing at the Katakolon cruise port. Although the Port of Katakolon appears to be a sleepy quay side village, it is in fact a major jumping off point for trips to Olympia, the original home of the Olympic Games. When your Katakolon cruise ship enters the Ionian Sea it is easy to bring to mind the myths of ancient Greece. You may think about Jason and the Argonauts, as well as some other famous Greek fantasy figures but the one thing that you will really be able to visualise is the Kraken, standing astride, at the mouth of the bay. That is what it is like here; it takes you to another time and place.

Katakolon cruise ships generally stay overnight, and it is to your best benefit to rise early and sample some of the wonderful fresh seafood that is on offer, however, you will be lucky if you beat your landlord/lady to this, because they know that fresh is best. Your day is could be spent in all the restaurants that are available on the sea front but you have to bear in mind that your Katakolon cruise ship is on a deadline, and as such, will not wait for errant passengers.

Katakolon port was promoted throughout the Med cruising lines and this turned out to be a great boon because the shipping lines, in response to customer demand, have put Olympia, and by association ‘The port of Katakolon on their map. If you feel that that you want some time ashore, but do not wish to travel inland, then, you will be glad to know that there are many restaurants within a five minute walk of the Katakolon cruise port.

If you choose to visit Olympia, then a favoured move by cruise ship passengers is to catch the 8:30 train from the Katakolon cruise port station, this journey take around an hour, and passes through some gorgeous Greek countryside. Most of the cruise ship passengers will spend some time at the various ancient sites and museums, before getting a taxi back to Katakolon port. The taxi fare is normally between 30 and 50 Euro, and is easily worth it for your introduction into the magical home of the ancient Greek Olympics.

To learn more about katakolon visit katakolon.org. There you can find info on Katakolon car rental or the katakolon cruise port. You can also browse the katakolon greece map.

Version of MSC

he ‘gateway to Olympia’

Katakolon is a small holiday port town in Ilia, in the western part of Greece. Katakolon is known as the ‘gateway to Olympia’ as it lies just East of the ancient city of Olympic, which was the birthplace of the Olympic games.

Katakolon really is a destination for everyone and all passengers will come away with greater understanding of the ancient Hellenic civilisations.

After leaving your luxury MSC cruise liner , join us on an excursion package to Olympia and tour round the amazing stadium (capacity 40,000 spectators!) and the famous temples of the Greek gods Zeus, Hera and Apollo. It was only in the 19th century that European archaeologists first began excavating Olympia and a tour to this ancient destination is not to be missed, as it is exceptionally well preserved.

Enjoy the best deals on the extraordinary Olympia archaeological museum, which is the most important in Greece. Here you can view exhibits of pottery, bronzes, Roman sculptures, artefacts from the Olympic Games and terracotta sculptures dating from 480 BC.

At MSC we like to cater for everyone on board our ships, so our outings in and around Katakolon also leave plenty of room for shopping and relaxation, too; you can choose to simply relax at the nearby private Kourouta beach club and enjoy the age-old pastime of sun lounging!

Passengers may also join us at a typical restaurant in Katakolon and take in a traditional Greek show of folkloric song and dance, providing lasting memories of your Greek vacation.