The Prefecture of Elia combines mountain and sea and it has notable holiday settlements, with thick sand, deep blue waters and pine trees that reach up to the sea, elements that make a unique landscape for holidays, sun and swimming, while the most important archaeological sites (Olympia, Ilida) attract tourists from all over the world.
The ancient city Elis had the oversight of the Olympic games and was once the center of the region during ancient times. After the siege by the Francs (1210), Elia became the center of the Principality of Moreos and enjoyed great prosperity.
•Ancient Olympia Holy and Global town. The cradle of Hellenism.
The most significant archeological site in Greece. Located at a 35 km distance from our region, it has magnificent works of art of unique historical and artistic value that are exhibited in the museum. The most important of all is the statute of Hermes of Praxiteles, which was sculpted in 340 BC by the renowned Phidias, and was found in the temple of Hera. The first modern Olympic Games were revived here by Pier de Coubertin and Dimitrios Vikelas.The Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame begins at Olympia prior to the Olympic Games.
•Temple of Apollo Epicurius The temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, Figaleia, is one of the most important and imposing temples of antiquity. The local people of Figaleia dedicated it to Apollo Epicurius (the helper) because he assisted them in overcoming an outbreak of plague. The temple stands at an impressive 1,130 m above sea level in the very heart of the Peloponnese on mountains that lie between the prefectures of Eleia, Arcadia and Messinia. It is situated 14 km south of Andritsena and 11 km northwest of Perivolia. The temple was built in the second half of the 5th century BC (420-410 BC) and has been attributed Iktinos, the architect who designed the Parthenon. This is a monument of global importance and also one of the best preserved ruins from classical antiquity and was the first site in Greece to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.
Part of the frieze from the temple was broken off in 1814 and is now on display in the British Museum in London.
•Ancient Elis In antiquity, Elis was the capital of the prefecture of Eleia and the city that organised and hosted the Olympic Games. Today there is a museum which includes finds brought to light by excavations such as pottery, sculptures, etc. The finds date from the Protohelladic period up to the Roman period.
•THE MERCOURI ESTATE The Mercouri Estate is located in the western Peloponnesus in Korakochori, two kilometers from Katakolo 12km from Pyrgos and 32km from Ancient Olympia. It is an old large farm with a 140- year-old history in the production of wine, olive oil and, before that, Corinthian currant raisins. It is owned by the Mercouri family which can trace its roots to Epirus and Peloponnesus. They are family with a variety of interests who have a special love for the land.
BEACHES
•Agios Andreas beach This is a small cove located just 2.4 km from the Port of Katakolo. Every summer, it becomes a cosmopolitan beach. This clean sea is known for its rocky sand and for the Ancient Feia ruins.
•Glyfa Beach Spectacular, endless and organized.
Some locations give the impression of a private beach on an exotic island. Not only you can swim, but you can also fish in its crystal, clear blue waters.
•Kyllini Baths Beach A truly exotic location with a vast sandy beach extending for 3km. The crystal clean waters of the Ionian invite you to enjoy them. It is awarded with the Blue flag every year and it is organized with a small refreshment bar. It is easily accessible and is suitable for children
as it is very shallow in the beginning.
•Kyllini Golden Beach The exotic Kyllini Golden Beach is one of the most beautiful Greek beaches earning every year the blue flag for its clean water.Its golden sand and its length of 6 km give its visitors a magnificent feeling of relaxation and joyful time. Ideal for young children, due to the gradual deepening of the sea's water, Kyllini’s Golden Beach is the perfect place for your summer holidays.
•Arcoudi Beach Arcoudi is located at the West-Peloponnese. A small village at a beautiful sand beach. In the village you find different shops, cafeterias and restaurants.
Spa Springs
In addition to giving the area rare landscapes and outstanding natural beauty, Mother Nature also endowed Greece with springs with important healing properties.
In our area the Kyllini Baths are considered to be one of the oldest, most complete and yet truly modern spa spring complexes not just in Greece but in all of Europe.
Today perhaps the most cutting edge hydrotherapy and spa centre in the European Union is in operation there.
The spa is only open during the summer from 1 June to 30 October every year and is ideal for treating conditions such as:
•bronchial and allergic asthma (inhalation therapy)
•allergic rhinitis – sinusitis (nasal rinses – nasal inhalation)
•rheumatic arthritis (baths – hamam)
At the spa's facilities and at the old Roman baths, patients and users of the facilities with skin or arthritic conditions are rubbed with mud from a sulphur-rich spring to treat their condition.
Escapes •The Neda Gorge The Neda gorge is situated to the south of Ancient Olympia, bordering on the Ilias and Messinia prefectures in the geographical region of the Peloponnese, close to the extensive area of Ancient Figalias. In the magical world of Greek mythology, Neda was a nymph, a deity of the waters. When Rhea gave birth to Zeus, on Mount Lycaeon, she entrusted him to the care of Neda and two other nymphs, Thisoa and Agno. The nymphs kept and nurtured the divine babe, saving it from his father´s teeth, who would eat his children. Neda gave her name to the river and became the heroine of legends and traditions of the nearby areas. The rich vegetation and spectacular waterfalls that appear suddenly behind a turn forming small lakes with turquoise coloured crystal waters are inciting, inviting you to dive in and cleanse your soul from everyday concerns and anxieties.
Cruises •A Trip Round Zakynthos A one-day short trip that you’re bound never to forget is the trip to the island of Zakynthos. The journey from the port of Kyllini lasts 1 hour 15 minutes. You can visit the island on foot or with your car. On Zakynthos admire the historical church of Agios Dionysios and get to know the town up close by wandering its streets. Don’t forget to sail around the island’s coast to discover some of its amazing, remote beaches, and swim in the deep blue waters, and visit caves and historical shipwrecks.
For the journey back make sure you buy some traditional products like mandolato, a type of nougat, to sweeten your return. The taste is bound to remain unforgettable.
•One day excursions While staying in the area, you can take cruises or one-day trips that will allow you to visit and admire landscapes, sights and archaeological sites.
ONE-DAY TRIPS
1. ACROPOLIS 330 KM
2. DELPHI 240 KM
3. MYCENAE 230 KM
4. EPIDAURUS 210 KM
5. ANCIENT CORINTH 210 KM
6. MEGA SPILEO MONASTERY 165 KM