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Voykit pocket guide · Greece
Kyllini
Κυλλήνη
Half a day to see Chlemoutsi Castle and the thermal springs, or use it as a ferry stop to Zakynthos or Kefalonia. One night if you want a beach day.
Kyllini is a small port town on the west coast of the Peloponnese, best known as the mainland gateway to Zakynthos and Kefalonia. It has an 11 km sandy beach, hot springs and the well-preserved Chlemoutsi Castle, a Frankish fortress from the 13th century. Most travellers pass through for a ferry, but a short stop is worth it for the castle and a swim.
- Country
- Greece
- Local name
- Κυλλήνη
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (crowded, hot)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted; card terminals are required in many businesses.
- Daily spend
- Budget €50–80 excl. bed · Mid €80–130 excl. bed · High €130+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; a passport is needed to register.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Fire and ambulance 112 · Tourist police 1571
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard European round two-pin plugs.
- Tipping
- Café: Leave the coins, €0.50–1.; Taverna or restaurant: 5–10% in cash on the table; not expected at gyros shops.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro.; Hotel housekeeping: €1–2 a night.; Boat crew or guide: €5–10 per person for a day trip.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Athens, Thessaloniki and most of the mainland. On many islands it is desalinated or hard: ask locally and buy bottled if unsure.
- Toilets
- Use cafés (buy something), museums and sites. Paper goes in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (Greek or espresso) | €2.50–4 |
| Gyros or souvlaki | €3–5 |
| Beer (local, 500 ml) | €3–5 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi | €10–15 |
| Ferry to Zakynthos (foot passenger) | €8–12 (check) |
| Ferry to Kefalonia (foot passenger) | €12–18 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ZTH · Zakynthos International Airport
- About 40 min by taxi from the port; seasonal flights from Europe
- EFL · Kefalonia Airport
- About 1 h by taxi from the port; seasonal flights from Europe
- GPA · Patras Araxos Airport
- About 1 h 15 min by car; limited flights
Typical fares
- Ferry to Zakynthos (foot passenger)
- about €10, about 1 h (check)
- Ferry to Kefalonia (foot passenger)
- about €15, about 1.5 h (check)
- Taxi port → Chlemoutsi Castle
- about €15 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is small enough to walk. A car is useful for Chlemoutsi Castle (about 5 km (3.1 mi) north) and the thermal springs (about 2 km (1.2 mi) south). Local buses run to the castle and springs in summer (check). Taxis are available at the port.The town is small enough to walk. A car is useful for Chlemoutsi Castle (about 3.1 mi (5 km) north) and the thermal springs (about 1.2 mi (2 km) south). Local buses run to the castle and springs in summer (check). Taxis are available at the port.
See and do
Known for
- Chlemoutsi Castle
- Kyllini Thermal Springs
- Ferry to Zakynthos and Kefalonia
- Long sandy beach
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chlemoutsi Castle | Walk or drive 5 km (3.1 mi) north; bus in summer (check)Walk or drive 3.1 mi (5 km) north; bus in summer (check) | About 15 min by car |
| Kyllini Thermal Springs | Walk or drive 2 km (1.2 mi) southWalk or drive 1.2 mi (2 km) south | About 5 min by car |
| Zakynthos (town) | Ferry from Kyllini port, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
| Olympia | Drive via Pyrgos, about 1 h 15 min | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Kyllini town centre
- Close to the port, tavernas and the beach; most hotels and rooms are here.
- Beach strip (Loutra Kyllinis)
- Quieter, near the thermal springs and the long beach; a few hotels and apartments.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good day | Γεια σαςYia sas |
| Thank you | ΕυχαριστώEfharistó |
| How much is it? | Πόσο κάνει;Póso káni? |
| Where is the port? | Πού είναι το λιμάνι;Pou íne to limáni? |
| The bill, please | Το λογαριασμό, παρακαλώTo logariasmó, parakaló |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'kaliméra' (morning) or 'kalispéra' (evening) on entering shops and tavernas; avoid: Launching straight into a question
- Hospitality: Accept offered coffee, sweets or raki; it is part of the welcome; avoid: Refusing flatly — take a little
- Churches: Covered shoulders and knees; quiet voices; a small candle donation; avoid: Turning your back on the altar for photos during a service
- Gestures: Wave with the palm turned towards yourself; avoid: The open palm pushed forward (moutza)
- Conversation: Family, food and football are easy topics; avoid: Lecturing on the debt crisis, Türkiye or the name of North Macedonia
- Dinner at a home: Bring pastries or wine; arrive a little late; avoid: Leaving food on the plate if you have been served more
- Dress: Casual; long trousers or skirt for monasteries; avoid: Swimwear in town, shops and churches
Scams and watch-outs
- Ferry schedules change seasonally: check the day before.
- Chlemoutsi Castle may have limited opening hours in winter: check the local tourism office.
- The thermal springs are basic: bring a towel and flip-flops.
Kyllini is very safe. Watch for traffic on the main road and keep an eye on your belongings at the port.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kyllini yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Chlemoutsi Castle
- Kyllini Thermal Springs
- Ferry to Zakynthos and Kefalonia
- Long sandy beach
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Kyllini, revision 5302201 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5302201
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kyllini). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.