The Best of Katakolon Greece – Katakolon is your gateway to Olympia, where the ancient Greeks flocked every four years for more than a millennium to celebrate the sacred games dedicated to Zeus. Katakolon is a seaside town in western Ilia in the municipality of Pyrgos. the town center overlooks the Ionian Sea. Katacolon is situated on a peninsula and has a lighthouse, first opened in 1865.
Beaches in Katakolon start at one end of town and stretch on a continuous arc around the Kyparissian Gulf for at least 30 kilometers. Some of the beaches are within walking distance from the cruise port, while others are a little farther away. The beaches decent places to eat and some great beach bars. The waters are warm and shallow, making them great for children. For more information on all of the great beach locations in Greece, you can visit us on Pinterest.
Katakolon Greece Weather – When to Visit Katakolon
The weather in Katakolon fluctuates quite a bit but is pleasant almost throughout the year. The weather is similar to the rest of Greece where the warmest months are the summer months of between June and August and coldest between December and February. The best time to visit the Peloponnese would be between April and October, depending on what type of weather you enjoy most.
During spring, March to May, the weather is pleasant with temperatures averaging around 59°F in March to 77°F in May. Rain can be expected for 5 to 7 days per month. From April onwards the good weather and moderate climate are what attract tourists from all over the world and it is the 2nd busiest tourist season after the summer.
In the summer (June to August) you’ll have warm sunny days. Temperatures average 79°F with very slight chances of rain. It is high-season with tourists and tourist spots can get quite crowded during these months. Some awesome festivals take place during the summer months where you can expect a lot of dramas, concerts and dance performances. The Epidaurus Greek Festival, the classical music festival of Nafplio and the festival of Argos-Mycenae take place between June and August.
Another great time to visit is in the fall (August to September) when the weather is still great with an average temperature of 73°F coming down to 59°F by November. The hilly terrain is best explored during these months as hiking is easier due to cooler weather. An exciting sporting festival is held during the end of September each year called the Spartathlon, which is a 246-kilometre ultramarathon between Athens and Sparta.
The 5 Best Katakolon Area Beaches
Skafidia Beach
This golden, sandy beach slopes gently into crystal clear waters, which are just waiting to invite you in for a dip. The area also offers bathing facilities and public beaches. Rent an umbrella or simply lay out your towel to fully enjoy your time in Skafidia: a truly peaceful place where you can recharge your batteries. Come here to swim or do water sports such as surfing. The water is brimming with fish and crabs, especially in areas near the cliffs bordering Skafidia.
Plakes Beach
This little pebble beach is lapped by clear, peaceful waters, and is supposedly jellyfish-free, making it perfect for both young and old visitors. This particular beach is perfectly equipped for the whole family thanks to the nearby showers, public toilets and changing rooms. The beach slopes gently into the warm sea, offering shallow and welcoming waters, perfect for less ambitious swimmers. Plakes also has a small snorkeling area, where you can enjoy the diverse seabed in peace, without being disturbed by swimmers.
Agios Andreas Beach
Bring the kids and enjoy the magical seaside atmosphere in a location like Agios Andreas. Also called Kastro Beach, the area is home to a small bar offering refreshments during the hottest part of the day. The bar also rents out umbrellas and sunbeds, guaranteeing maximum comfort during your stay. Agios Andreas Beach isn’t as busy as Plakes Beach, making it particularly attractive to those who want to enjoy a well-deserved day of rest on the beach without having to worry too much about the tourist crowds.
Leventochori Beach
While on a cruise, sometimes you want to visit a pristine beach where you can spend a few hours in the sunshine away from mass tourism. If this sounds like you, we recommend stopping by Leventochori, which is located about ten kilometers from Katakolon Port. This strip of cobblestone coast has very few beach facilities, so bring a towel, a packed lunch and lots of water to make sure you don’t run out of anything you need for a day at the beach.
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Kourouta Beach
This beautiful strip of coastline, with reddish sands, spans over 16 kilometers and is lapped by crystal clear Ionian Sea waters. Kourouta is located about 20 kilometers from Katakolon and is a wonderful natural marvel. In addition to being awarded a Blue Flag for its clean waters, Kourouta has a lot to offer in terms of tourist facilities, making it perfect for the whole family.
Best Katakolon Restaurants
Kastro (Agios Andreas)
This is the place to enjoy the breathtaking sunset while sipping on a cocktail. A selection of meat, pasta and vegetarian dishes are served here; while the variety of seafood platter is “pentanostimo” (five times tasty)! Don’t forget to order the OUZO! Undeniably a MUST. Telephone: 30 2621 041457
Vriniotis (Agios Andreas) $11 – 30
Family run restaurant which serves fresh fish and other traditional Greek dishes. Just ask for the specialty of the day or let them surprise you. Either way, you will definitely not be disappointed. Quite popular among the local connoisseurs of Greek cuisine. Telephone: 30 2621 041400 Web: Vriniotis
El Greco (Katakolon Street) $11 – 30
Perfect choice if you are a pizza lover and have young children. After having enjoyed your dinner, enjoy your drinks at your table while the children play in the public playground right next to the restaurant. Telephone: 30 2621 042166 Web: El Greco
Mouragio (Katakolon Promenade) $11 – 30
Family run restaurant specializing in sea food. This is literally your Greek mother’s kitchen since mom cooks up her traditional dishes daily. Enjoy the view of the fishing boats while eating your tzatziki and fried calamari. Don’t forget to try “chorta” wild greens with plenty of olive oil and lemon juice which make a great combination with fish. Telephone: 30 2621 041042
Karousos (Katakolon Promenade) $11 – 30
Traditional greek dishes like moussaka and stuffed tomatoes (yemista). Try the grilled octopus on charcoal with Greek salad and a cold beer. Or, better yet, have your pick of lobster (straight from the fish tank) and spaghetti. A must for everybody who visits Greece. Delicious! Telephone: 30 2621 041209
Wow, Katakolon Greece is now definitely on my travel list! The beaches are so stunning and gorgeous! Then the accommodations seem to be so beautiful and surprisingly affordable. It’s helpful to know when the crowds will be the biggest and decide in advance whether we prefer that (with all the fun festivals!), or would enjoy a quieter scene at other times of year. Thanks so much for sharing!
You are very welcome Aly! Thank you for visiting, and taking the time to leave me comments!
Hi. thanks for describing Katakolon Greece. it is good to know best parts of a country while you are traveling there. like you have a plan and you won’t confuse about where to go. by the way Leventochori Beach was my favorite beach cause it is not crowded as you said.
Glad you enjoyed your digital visit to Katakolon Greece! Thanks for visiting Beach Travel Destinations.