Katakolon Cruise Port Guide

The short answer

Katakolon is a tiny village; people come for Ancient Olympia. A tourist train runs Katakolo–Olympia in about 45 minutes (€10 return, Monday–Saturday). Olympia's ticket is €20 and covers the site and two museums.

Getting ashoreShip docks

Distance to townVillage is at the pier. Ancient Olympia is about 45 minutes away by train.

Gateway forAncient Olympia (birthplace of the Olympic Games)

Train (Hellenic Train) to Ancient OlympiaAbout 45 minutes each way · €10 return (Hellenic Train)

On the chart

Where Katakolon lies

Antique-style chart of Greek Isles & Eastern Med with ports marked

Katakolon Istanbul Athens Argostoli Bodrum Chania Corfu Heraklion Itea Izmir Kos Kuşadası Limassol Milos Mykonos Nafplio Patmos Rhodes Santorini Sarandë Syros Thessaloniki Volos Zakynthos

Where your ship docks

Ships dock at the small pier in Katakolo village. The village waterfront is right by the pier.

Shuttle. Not needed in the village.

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The way	Time	Cost
Train (Hellenic Train) to Ancient Olympia	About 45 minutes each way	€10 return (Hellenic Train)
Taxi or ship excursion to Ancient Olympia	Unverified	Unverified

Train (Hellenic Train) to Ancient Olympia

Time About 45 minutes each wayCost €10 return (Hellenic Train)

Walk from the pier to the small Katakolo station in the village.
Buy the ticket on board from staff.
Get off at Olympia; the site is a walk from the station.
Check the return time before you leave the train.

Runs Monday–Saturday. No Sunday service mentioned. The timetable was not readable online; ask the ship or call +30 213 012 1010.

Taxi or ship excursion to Ancient Olympia

Time UnverifiedCost Unverified

Taxis wait near the pier.
Agree a round-trip price with waiting time.

Best choice on Sundays.

Worth the trip

What to see

Ancient Olympia site

Stadium, Temple of Zeus, workshops of Pheidias.

How: Train or taxi.
Time: 2 hours
Tickets: €20 full; covers the site, the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games (Hellenic Heritage). Summer 08:00–20:00; winter 08:30–15:30.

Archaeological Museum of Olympia

Hermes of Praxiteles, Temple of Zeus sculptures.

How: Next to the site.
Time: 1 hour
Tickets: Included in the €20 ticket.

Katakolo village

Waterfront cafes, easy stroll.

How: Walk.
Time: 30–60 minutes
Tickets: Free

A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

Take the first train to Olympia after you land.
See the site first (stadium at the far end), then the museum.
Take the train back with at least 90 minutes of margin before all-aboard.
Coffee in Katakolo before you board.

Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

Train runs only Mon–Sat and has few departures.
Strong heat at Olympia; little shade.
Taxi prices rise when many ships are in.

Do this

Hat, water and sunscreen are a must.
On Sunday, use a taxi or ship tour.

Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

Greek cruise passenger fee (per person, per port, from 21 July 2025): Santorini and Mykonos €20 (1 Jun–30 Sep), €12 (Apr–May and Oct), €4 (Nov–Mar). All other Greek ports: €5 / €3 / €1 for the same seasons. Most lines add it to your onboard bill. MSC says it charges only guests who go ashore; other lines may charge everyone.
Greek state sites: 'reduced' prices are mainly for EU citizens. Most Americans pay full price. Free entry on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 1 Nov to 31 Mar, and on a few set dates.