The area of Ilia

Ilia, located northwest of the Peloponnese, and according to the 2011 national census it has a population of 159,300. Pyrgos is the capital of the prefecture of Ilia with a population of about 35,000 people and covers an area of 2,631 square meters. It is about 100 km. south of Patras and 310 km. west of Athens.

Historically, the Prefecture of Ilia includes the territory of the ancient cities-states of Pica, Trifylia, Akroria and Ilida. The territory of the prefecture is lowland and semi-mountainous, with few plateaus to the east and south, such as Foloi, which is an extension of mount Erymanthos whose part of the main bulk extends within the county, mounts Lapithas and Minti.

The main rivers are Alfios and Pinios, which along the coastline have created lagoons and important wetlands, such as Strofilia and Kaiaphas.

Access to the hotel

The visitor has many options to reach Ilia and the Ionion Beach Apartment Hotel.

During the summer season there are many charter flights from various European countries to the nearby Araxos Airport and there is certainly access via the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”.

You can reach the Hotel by car, train and bus from Athens or almost from any major city of Greece, while by sea, access to the area is via the ports of Patras, Kalamata and Kyllini.

Sightseeing

Ilia, in itself, hides a rare treasure trove of monuments depicting the region’s great history and architectural tradition. In the great centers of Orthodoxy, scattered in the plains and in the mountains of this place, the Greek tradition, education and Orthodox faith were saved despite the alternations of the Franks and Ottoman conquerors.

There are many sights you can admire in the city of Pyrgos • mainly neoclassical buildings, the central paved square, as well as churches and monasteries of great historical importance. The Latsio Municipal Hall, the Municipal Market and the Apollo Municipal Theater are beautiful examples of neoclassical buildings. Pyrgos is also proud for its City Gallery and the Public Library which counts more than 20,000 volumes.

Apart from Pyrgos, ancient Olympia is a must-have destination as it is the birthplace and altar of the Olympic Games, known throughout the world. Just outside the city you can visit the monasteries of Zoodochos Fountain (9 km) and the Virgin Mary of Kremasti (11 km), which are of great religious interest.

You can also visit Epitalio (7 km from Pyrgos), where parts of Hellenistic and Roman times of the ancient city are preserved, and a little further away are the ruins of the ancient city of Oleni, inhabited since the Mycenaean era. Finally, the city’s port, Katakolo, is a landmark of the area and is also one of the destinations that deserve your attention.

As far as the beaches of Ilia Prefecture are concerned, they extend over hundreds of kilometers, from the border with Achaia to Messinia Prefectures, offering a variety of cool summer vacations. Quiet small taverns and lively beach bars will give your holidays excitement. Do not miss the steep and unexplored beaches!

The most famous beaches of the prefecture are the organized ones, i.e. Kourouta (near Amaliada) and Agios Andreas (near Katakolo). The least organized, but one of exceptional beauty and very lively is the one of the Kaiafa Lake.

Activities

There are many opportunities for activities in the area, whether you are traveling in family, as a couple, with a large company or individually.

For those who love adventure, there are plenty of water sports such as Wind-surfing, Kite-surfing, and Jet skiing.

For those who love fishing, Vrachos, Fournia, Analipsi, Cephalopetra, Kafkalida, Calafates and other places accessible by inflatable boat are all you need for this purpose.

Hiking enthusiasts will be thrilled with the many options for small, medium and large routes such as:

• The coast tour, from Kyllini to Loutra & Arkoudi (about 5 hours)
• From Neohori to Chamolio and Kastro to Analipsi (about 2.5 hours)
• From Kato Panagia to Vlacherna and to Analipsi (about 2 hours)

Of particular interest during the summer are the Festivals of Ancient Olympia and Ancient Ilis with remarkable concerts and theatrical performances. In the tourist village of Kastro of Kyllini, you will find picturesque taverns & many trendy bars and cafes for fun and entertainment.

Excursions & distances

The strategic location of Ionion Beach Apartment Hotel is ideal for excursions. Organize as many excursions as possible to archaeological sites, temples, monasteries, and leisure, tourist sites and widen your horizons as much as you can.

Indicatively, here are some of the most memorable excursion sites as well as an indicative time to reach them from our facilities:

– Ancient Olympia (about 1 hour drive)
– Ancient Ilida – Pinios Dam (about 30 minutes drive)
– Temple of Epicurean Apollo Figalia (about 2 hours drive)
– Andritsena (about 2 hours drive)
– Kotichi Strofilia, habitat (by car – boat about 15 minutes)
– Strofadia (by boat)
– Kourouta – Amaliada beach (about 30 minutes drive, boat)
– Foloi Forest (about 45 minutes drive)
– Katakolo – Tower (about 35 minutes drive or by train)
– Patras (by car or train, about 1 hour)
– Neda River – Waterfalls (about 2 hours drive)
– Kalavryta (about 2 hours drive)
– Ionian Islands (via Kyllini – 18.5 km)
– Zakynthos (45 minutes with many ferry services daily)
– Cephalonia (1.5 hours)

Useful phone numbers

Amaliada Bus Station: +30 26220 28892
Gastouni Bus Station: + 30 26230 35115
Kyllini Port Authority: + 30 26230 92211
Port Authority of Patras: +30 2610 341002
Araxos Airport: +30 26930 23598 (55 km from Glyfa)
Taxi: +30 41500