Major city · Greece
Katakolo
Half a day: walk the harbour, climb to the lighthouse, then head to Olympia. Not a base — use Pyrgos or Olympia for the night.
Katakolo is a small cruise port on the Ionian coast of Elis, the gateway for day-trippers to ancient Olympia. The village itself offers a short harbour promenade, a lighthouse walk, and a few tavernas. Most travellers stop for a few hours between a cruise and Olympia, or as a quick lunch break on a road trip along the coast. It is not a destination for a multi-day stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded with cruise ships)
- Airports
- ZTH · GPA
- Nights
- 0
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 Katakolo100 ▾
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 Katakolo, 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
- SafetyVery safe.
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.
- AirportZTH Zakynthos International Airport (About 60 km (37 mi) south; seasonal flights from Europe.ZTH Zakynthos International Airport (About 37 mi (60 km) south; seasonal flights from Europe.
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (Greek or espresso)€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer (500 ml draught)€3.50–5 (≈ US$5–6)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Katakolo–Olympia (one way)check€20–25 (≈ US$25–30)
- Budget bedDouble room in Pyrgos or Katakolo, a night, per room€40 (≈ US$50)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in Pyrgos or Katakolo, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedDouble room in Pyrgos or Katakolo, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €30 (≈ US$35) · Mid €60 (≈ US$70) · High €100 (≈ US$120)
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
- ZTH Zakynthos International Airport (About 60 km (37 mi) south; seasonal flights from Europe. Car or taxi needed.) · GPA Araxos Airport (About 90 km (56 mi) north; limited flights.)ZTH Zakynthos International Airport (About 37 mi (60 km) south; seasonal flights from Europe. Car or taxi needed.) · GPA Araxos Airport (About 56 mi (90 km) north; limited flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Katakolo: 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)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 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 village is walkable. For Olympia, take the seasonal train from Katakolo station (check schedule) or a taxi (about 30 min). A car is most flexible.
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, Greece
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Seasonal train (check) or taxi, about 30 min
The main reason to come: the archaeological site and museum. Half a day is enough.
Pyrgos
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car or bus (KTEL), about 15 min
Larger town with shops, a market and a few sights. Useful for supplies.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Car, about 1 h
Mountain village with the Temple of Apollo at Bassae; a full-day trip from Katakolo.
Kyllini
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car, about 45 min
Beach town and ferry port for Zakynthos. Good for a swim stop.
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.
Katakolo village
A few small hotels and rooms; quiet outside cruise hours. Limited dining options.
Pyrgos
10 km (6.2 mi) east; more accommodation and restaurants. Best for a base to explore the region.6.2 mi (10 km) east; more accommodation and restaurants. Best for a base to explore the region.
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
- €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- High
- €80 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in Pyrgos or Katakolo1 × 1 night × €70 | €70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €60 | €120 |
| Taxi Katakolo–Olympia return1 × €40 · check | €40 |
| Train Katakolo–Olympia return2 × €8 · check | €16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €25 |
| Trip total≈ €136 per person per day, bed included | €271≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in euros. Katakolo is a short stop; most costs are for Olympia or Pyrgos.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (Greek or espresso) | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer (500 ml draught) | €3.50–5 (≈ US$5–6) |
| Gyros pita | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Taverna meal (grilled fish or meat with salad) | €12–20 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Taxi Katakolo–Olympia (one way)check | €20–25 (≈ US$25–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cruise ship days: the harbour gets busy from late morning to late afternoon.
- Seasonal train to Olympia: runs only in summer; check the timetable in advance.
- Pontikokastro is a short hike with overgrown paths; wear sturdy shoes.
- Small beaches near the village are informal — no umbrellas or facilities.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire
- 199
- Ambulance
- 166
- Tourist police
- 1571
Pocket card
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KatakoloKatakolo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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Σε αυτή τη διεύθυνση, παρακαλώTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire199
- Ambulance166
- Tourist police1571
Embassy
Embassies in Athens; nearest consulate in Patras (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Katakolo–Olympia: about €20–25 (≈ US$25–30) one way (check)
- Train Katakolo–Olympia: about €4–5 (≈ US$5–6) one way, seasonal (check)
Say or show
- Γεια σας — Hello / Goodbye (YAH sas)
- Ευχαριστώ — Thank you (ef-kha-ree-STOH)
- Πόσο κάνει; — How much? (POH-soh KAH-nee)
- Το λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ — The bill, please (toh loh-gah-ree-az-MOH, pah-rah-kah-LOH)
- Πού είναι ο σιδηροδρομικός σταθμός; — Where is the train station? (POU EE-neh o see-thee-ro-dhro-mee-KOS stath-MOS)
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 Katakolo. 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–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded with cruise ships) · 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
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the lighthouse, Pontikokastro and the harbour promenade.
- Eat pages for the harbour tavernas with last-order times.
- Seasonal train schedule page linked from the Olympia page.
- Cruise-ship calendar fixture so the page shows busy days.
Sources
Ask about Katakolo
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