Quite a few towns and small villages along the western coastline of the Peloponnese share a specific slice of local history. Their waterfronts were once hubs for the trade of currants and sultanas produced all over the region, though exported to the West through the ports dotting the coast of what is now the prefectures of Achaia, Olympia, and Messinia. Katakolo, now a beautiful fishing village, played its own part in the trade till the 19th century; today, the old warehouses have been converted to all sorts of accommodation, shops, cafés and seafood resaturants, creating a unique setting for visitors to enjoy the charms of a true seaside treat. Cruise ships anchor in Katakolo so that voyagers can visit Ancient Olympia, the site of the original Olympic Games. However, the port is quite a sight in its own right.
Built along the protected side of a small peninsula on the west coast of the Peloponnese, Katakolo is an ideal starting point to discover as many pristine beaches as possible along the "Côte d'Azur of the Peloponnese" a telling nickname for the extremely long beach of the region of Ilia.
If you choose to go the extra mile and swim at the beach of Agios Andreas, on the other side of the peninsula, you should know that, submerged under water and sand, lies Pheia, the ancient port of Olympia destroyed by the same catastrophic earthquake as the Temple of Zeus in the 6th century AD.Unfortunately, these precious layers of great archaeological wealth mean that diving is not an option in the area.
To round off the experience, the boutique winery and museum of Domaine Mercouri take visitors on a journey through time and great taste, showcasing traditional winemaking techniques along with tasting sessions to awaken the senses and enhance those cool nights by the sea.
