Olympia & Kourouta Beach: Private Tour with Port Pickup

Summary

Ancient stadiums, museum treasures and Ionian waves in a single day

You’ll step from ancient Olympia’s stadiums and museum halls straight onto Kourouta Beach’s golden sand—all in one relaxed day trip from Katakolon port with private transport and an English-speaking escort. Expect laughter over local myths, hands-on history with real artifacts, and time to swim or sip something cold by the Ionian Sea.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that happened was I forgot my sunglasses on the bus from Katakolon port. Our guide, Eleni, just grinned and handed me her spare pair — “Greek sun is no joke,” she said. The drive to Olympia took about 45 minutes, winding through olive groves and sleepy villages. I kept catching whiffs of wild herbs when we cracked the windows. Eleni started telling stories about the old Olympic Games — apparently athletes used to compete completely naked, which got a laugh out of everyone (and a few raised eyebrows from the kids behind us).

I’d seen photos of the Archaeological Museum of Olympia before, but standing in front of Hermes of Praxiteles felt different — it’s almost too smooth, like marble turned into skin. There was this faint echo in the gallery, people whispering in half a dozen languages. Outside at the ancient site itself, we wandered past toppled columns and wildflowers poking through stones. The stadium is just a field now, but you can still see where runners’ feet wore grooves into the starting line. Eleni showed us how to pronounce “Zeus” in Greek (I botched it; she laughed), then let us wander for a bit. I sat on a chunk of old marble and tried to imagine the crowds cheering two thousand years ago.

After all that dust and history, we headed to Kourouta Beach — about another 45 minutes away. The air changed as soon as we got close: salty, warm, with that sunscreen-and-fried-squid smell you only get at Greek beaches. I waded right into the Ionian Sea (it’s colder than it looks) while some folks grabbed beers at a beach bar. The sand stuck everywhere but honestly I didn’t care; lying back under that big blue sky felt like hitting pause on real life for an hour or two.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Olympia and relax at Kourouta Beach

• Drive from Katakolo to Olympia
• Visit Archaeological Museum of Olympia
• Explore Ancient Olympia ruins
• Drive to Kourouta Beach
• Swim and relax at Kourouta Beach
• Drive back to Katakolon port

Top questions

How long does it take to drive from Katakolon port to Olympia?

It takes around 45 minutes by car from Katakolon port to Olympia.

Is there pickup included at Katakolon cruise port?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at Katakolon port are included in this tour.

Is this Olympia & Kourouta Beach tour suitable for families?

Yes, it’s suitable for all fitness levels and families with infants or small children.

How much time do you spend at Kourouta Beach?

The itinerary allows free time at Kourouta Beach after visiting Olympia before returning to port.

Are transportation options wheelchair accessible?

Yes, vehicles used on this tour are wheelchair accessible.

What will I see at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia?

You’ll see treasures like Hermes of Praxiteles and other ancient artifacts from Olympia’s history.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

An English-speaking escort accompanies your group throughout the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transport between Katakolon port, Ancient Olympia, and Kourouta Beach; an English-speaking escort who shares stories along the way; plus flexible drop-off either right at your ship or in Katakolon market before departure.