Major city · Greece
ZacharoΖαχάρω
A half-day stop for the thermal springs and beach, or a one-night break between Olympia and the southern Peloponnese; not a destination on its own.
Zacharo is a small coastal town in Elis, 18 km south of Olympia. Its draw is the Kaiafas Lake and thermal springs, a long sandy beach and the Lapithas mountain. Most travellers use it as a lunch or swim stop between Olympia and Kyparissia or Kalamata. The town itself is quiet; the springs and lake are the reason to get off the road.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, many facilities closed)
- Airports
- GPA · KLX
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Zacharo100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Zacharo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Greece-wide
- SIM or eSIMCosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; a passport is needed to register.Greece-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Athens, Thessaloniki and most of the mainland.Greece-wide
- TippingTaverna or restaurant: 5–10% in cash on the table; not expected at gyros shops.Greece-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Greece-wide
- SafetyZacharo is a safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés (buy something), museums and sites.Greece-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 199 fire · 166 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysArchaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 08:00–15:00 or 17:00) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Archaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 8:00 AM–3:00 PM or 5:00 PM) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Greece-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckGPA Araxos Airport (Patras) (About 1 h 15 min by car; check).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (frappé or espresso)€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer (500 ml draught)€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from town centre to Kaiafas€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Metro or bus rideBus to Olympia (one way)€2–4 (≈ US$3–5) (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€20 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (town centre), a night, per room€80 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedDouble room (town centre), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €40 (≈ US$50) · Mid €80 (≈ US$95) · High €150 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GPA Araxos Airport (Patras) (About 1 h 15 min by car; check) · KLX Kalamata Airport (About 1 h by car; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Dec (12 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zacharo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. For Kaiafas Lake and springs, a car or taxi (about €5–8 from the centre) is needed. Buses run to Olympia and Pyrgos a few times a day (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Olympia
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus or car via GR-9/E55, about 20 min
The archaeological site and museum need 2–3 hours.
Kyparissia
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus or car south on GR-9/E55, about 20 min
Old town on a hill and a long beach.
Door to door: About 50 min
Car via mountain road, about 40 min
Narrow winding road; the Temple of Apollo Epicurius is the main draw.
Kyllini
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via GR-9/E55, about 45 min
Ferry to Zakynthos; the beach and castle are okay for a half-day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Zacharo town centre
Hotels and rooms near the main square and beach; walkable to restaurants.
Kaiafas area
Rooms and a spa hotel by the lake and springs; quieter, 3 km (1.9 mi) northwest of town.Rooms and a spa hotel by the lake and springs; quieter, 1.9 mi (3 km) northwest of town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €40–60 (≈ US$50–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- €60–100 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- High
- €100 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (town centre)1 × 1 night × €80 | €80 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €80 | €160 |
| Taxi town centre to Kaiafas (one way)1 × €8 · check | €8 |
| Bus Zacharo to Olympia (one way)2 × €3 · check | €6 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €25 |
| Trip total≈ €140 per person per day, bed included | €279≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (frappé or espresso) | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Gyros pita | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Beer (500 ml draught) | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Taxi from town centre to Kaiafas | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Bus to Olympia (one way) | €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Thermal springs hours and opening vary by season; check before going.
- Kaiafas Lake swimming is not always allowed; ask locally.
- Zacharo tomato is nearly extinct; do not expect to find it.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire
- 199
- Ambulance
- 166
- Tourist police
- 1571
Pocket card
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ZacharoΖαχάρω
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Σε αυτή τη διεύθυνση, παρακαλώTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire199
- Ambulance166
- Tourist police1571
Embassy
The nearest embassy is in Athens. Consular services for most countries are in Athens or Patras.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Zacharo → Olympia (bus): about €2–4 (≈ US$3–5), about 20 min (check)
- Zacharo → Kyparissia (bus): about €2–4 (≈ US$3–5), about 20 min (check)
Say or show
- Γεια σας — Hello / Goodbye (yia sas)
- Ευχαριστώ — Thank you (ef-kha-ri-STO)
- Πόσο κάνει; — How much? (PO-so KAH-nee)
- Το λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ — The bill, please (to lo-gha-ri-a-SMO, pa-ra-ka-LO)
- Πού είναι η παραλία; — Where is the beach? (poo EE-ne i pa-ra-LEE-a)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Zacharo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (cold, many facilities closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page for Kaiafas Lake and thermal springs with verified hours and prices.
- Eat page with last orders and seasonal closures.
- Bus schedule page for the Pyrgos–Zacharo–Kyparissia line.
Sources
Ask about Zacharo
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