Zaharo, embedded among the trees
One end of the village climbs up the hill while the other reaches across the valley, down to an excellent sandy beach and the sparkling waters of the Ionian Sea, with pine and olive trees growing everywhere.
Beaches brushed with gold
All the beaches are sandy and caressed by clear waters. Some are ideal for water sports, others for relaxation and moments of tranquillity, while many carry the distinction of a blue flag. Some are adorned with lilies and others with pine trees. Arkoudi, Glyfa, the Kaifa beach, Hrisi Akti, Zaharo, Agios Andreas, Levedohori, Samiko, Vartholomio and more besides could turn you all into sun, sea and sand aficionados in no time, leaving you with solid gold memories to cherish back home.
Kaïafas, where nymphs bathed
As you approach Kaïafas, a vast pine forest greets you. The thermal springs here flow from the caves of the Anigrian and Atlantean nymphs. A narrow strip of land separates the sea from the Lagoon of Kaïafas and the islet of Agia Ekaterini is set in the middle like a gemstone. Your holidays here will be like a fairy tale.
Pyrgos, the capital
Welcome to Pyrgos, the capital of the prefecture and its administrative, financial and commercial centre. Pyrgos began to develop in the 17th century around a large tower built by its founder, Ioannis Tsernotas, on the Eparheio Hill. Among its landmarks and attractions are the town hall, the old municipal market and the Apollo Theatre, built in 1878 and restored in 1995.
Charming Katakolo
Discover the picturesque little port of Katakolo with its fishing boats and seafood tavernas. A bit further north, at Agios Andreas, you’ll find the best beach bars in the area in small bays ideal for dips and parties. To the south begins that astounding beach whose golden dunes stretch all the way to Kyparissia.
Killini
The well-known port of Ilia where voyages to the Ionian Islands commence is not a place you get to know just by passing through. The beauty of Killini will entice you to drop anchor for a while and enjoy a relaxing holiday on beaches, cooled by the Ionian breeze and enriched by a palette of colours.
Andritsaina
One of the most beautiful traditional villages on Ilia’s spectacular mountain range, it features stone-built houses, cobbled alleys and stone sources spouting cool spring waters. It can be an ideal base for your expeditions to nearby sights, a highlight among which is the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae. Within Andritsaina itself, the public library is the proud custodian of a number of rare editions and priceless manuscripts.
The wineries of Ilia
The vineyard estates of the area organise wine sampling visits and interesting events which will initiate you into the secrets of wine making.
The Τemple of Apollo Epikourios
Like the traveller Pausanias in the second century, you too will be impressed by the isolated Τemple of Apollo Epikourios at Bassae, which means ‘little valley in the mountains’. According to Pausanias, it was designed by Iktinos, the architect of the Parthenon, and built sometime around 420-400 BC by the inhabitants of ancient Phygaleia. Naturally shielded from the elements, its architectural genius remains timeless. The first ancient Greek monument to be listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site in 1986, it is certain to engrave itself onto your memory.
