Katakolon

Although it is primarily a commercial port, Katakolon is of some importance in this geographical area, that of the northwestern Peloponnese, mainly because ports begin to become seriously scarce from here southward. Katakolon is thus one of the few shelters that this stretch of coastline offers.

The port of Katakolon is also of some importance on the tourist front: in fact, it is the starting point for excursions to Olympia, the ancient city where the first Olympic Games in history were born and held. It is only about thirty kilometers from the small port town and is still one of the most visited and popular tourist attractions in Greece.

Olympia is not only famous for the Olympic Games, although it certainly derives its fame mainly from them (according to a recent dating, the earliest list of winners that has come down to us and was compiled there dates back to 776 B.C.); it was also a well-known place of worship, with temples, statues, and religious buildings of various kinds, and what remains of all this (brought to light during major archaeological excavations held last century) can be seen and appreciated in the archaeological museum located there.

Olympia is not the only destination of interest for those in Katakolon. In fact, not far away is a beautiful castle dating back to the early 1200s, built by the Franks during the Crusades, the castle of Clermont (Chlemoutsi in Greek) which is located just above the town of Kilini, which is another small port town whose port, however, is entirely devoted to cruise ships and ferries. The castle is really well preserved and there are wonderful views from there.

Katakolon, in itself, is little more than a picturesque fishing village. It owes its notoriety precisely to the fact that cruise ships call there to allow visits to the site of Olympia, and around this has grown an inducement of services for tourism that are, however, only available in the summer season.
There is not much to be found in the village: a few small stores, bars and cafes, a few restaurants. There are a few car rental services, useful for those precisely who want to visit some of the tourist attractions nearby, cabs and buses.

As for the port, it is an artificial structure consisting of two breakwaters, two small inner piers, and a banked shore. Getting to the harbor does not present any particular problems or dangers; the depth is relevant both at the entrance and in many parts inside, as large ships have to transit and dock there; at the central quay, the one right in front of the entrance and where you will have to moor, it is around 1.5 to 2 meters.

The bottom is good keeper (mud and clay), drop anchor in 4-5 meters deep and then moor bow or stern to the dock. The harbor is excellently sheltered from the prevailing winds (northwest) and also sa south thanks to the breakwater.
At the dock you will find water, electricity and, upon request, a mini tanker can arrive to allow you to refuel. There are also restrooms. Daily rates range from a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 25 euros for larger boats.

An alternative to the ports of Katakolon is offered by the wide bay at the northwestern end of which is the village; the seabed is 3 to 5 meters deep all along the arch, holds well, and there are certainly no space problems. Beware, however, that the bay, well sheltered from the northwest, offers no shelter from southerly winds. There is certainly no shortage of nice beaches where you can relax a bit!