Kyllini – Exotic Beaches, Amazing Old Castle and Thermal Springs

Kyllini Elis is known for its exotic beaches, its thermal springs, and mud baths, but also for its port and marina from where you take the ferry to Zakynthos or Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea. For decades Kyllini was not a highly developed travel destination. Now the situation has changed and in the surrounding area you will find luxury hotels and spas, but also campsites and cheap rooms for rent.

Chlemoutsi Castle of Kyllini at Peloponnese, Greece
Chlemoutsi Castle of Kyllini

Where is Kastro-Kyllini?

Kyllini is a port town in the area called Kastro-Kyllini, Elis. It is situated on the coast of the Ionian Sea, 11 km west of Andravida, 28 km northeast of Zakynthos and 39 km northwest of Pyrgos. Kastro-Kyllini is a former municipality in Elis, West Greece. Its seat of administration is in the small port town of Kyllini. Other settlements are Kato Panagia, Kastro and Neochori. The Port of Kyllini is the largest and busiest harbour of Elia in Greece. It is the peninsula’s westernmost port. It carries cars, and automobiles to the harbours of Cephallonia at Poros, and Zante, at the city of Zante of the southern Ionian. It is a minor harbour, 50 km directly SW of Patras. It is not as large as other harbours in Greece and the operation is very small. The port is located not far from the centre of Kyllini.

Map of Kastro-Kyllini in northwestern Peloponnese

Map of northwestern Peloponnese and Kastro-Kyllini in Greece
Map of northwestern Peloponnese and Kastro-Kyllini – Click to enlarge map

Kastro is located fifteen km west of the GR-9 between Lechaina and Andravida.  It’s in this village you’ll find the Chlemoutsi Castle which can be seen from far away. Its neighboring communes are Kyllini and Kato Panagia to the north and Neochori to the east. Its nearest beach is Melissa Beach to the west.

Kyllini – What to do?

Road trip from Kyllini

Patras Sightseeing

TOUR FROM GRECOTEL OLYMPIA RIVIERA AND ROBINSON CLUB KYLLINI

Kyllini is perfect if you are looking for a relaxing holiday at sea in combination with excursions on the road. Ancient Olympia is of course the most important reason to spend a day away from the gorgeous beaches, while an exceptionally beautiful excursion that combines nature and archaeology is the one at the waterfalls of Neda, Andritsaina and the temple of Apollo the Epicurean, the “Parthenon of the Peloponnese”.

The archaeological site of ancient Olympia. The place where olympic games were born in classical times and where the Olympic torch today is ignited, Peloponnese Greece
The archaeological site of ancient Olympia. The place where olympic games were born in classical times and where the Olympic torch today is ignited

Olympia & winery

BARRIER-FREE: 5 PRIVATE GROUPS & WHEELCHAIR USERS

Health tourism

The Thermal Springs of Kyllini, also known as Kyllini Baths is a thermal spring area with hotels, restaurants, and a beach located on a southwestern tip of this peninsula. The setting is all forest covering the western half of the small mountain range. The length of the road is 1 km west of the junction of a road to Kastro, Neochori and Patras.

The Golden Beach of Kyllini

Panoramic view to the beautiful golden coast at Kastro-Kyllini, Peloponnese, Greece
Panoramic view to the beautiful golden coast at Kastro-Kyllini

The locals call Kyllini the “Golden Beach” because of its golden sands and sunsets. The beach expands a long way, passing many villages on its way along the coast. This golden place is perfect if you seek tranquility and natural beauty. Travel agencies bring tourists to all-inclusive resorts in the area.

Amazing sunset over Ionian sea in Amazing sunset over Zakyntos island in the Ionian sea as seen from Kyllini in western Peloponnese, Greece west Peloponesse, Greece. Sun sets over Zakynthos island.
Amazing sunset over Zakynthos island in the Ionian Sea as seen from Kyllini

Free travelers have not really discovered this long quiet beach. The beach is sandy all the way into the sea, and quite shallow along the coast. The campsite in the area is great with shady trees and a cozy restaurant/bar. The beach is perfect for long walks in the soft sand and a drink at sunset when the sun sinks into the sea.

Desert bay in Kyllini Elis, western Peloponnese, Greece
Desert bay in Kyllini Elis, western Peloponnese

Chlemoutsi castle

Medieval Chlemoutsi ("Clermont") castle, in Kastro village in Kastro-Kyllini, Peloponnese Greece
Medieval castle of Chlemoutsi (“Clermont”) in Kastro village
Chlemoutsi castle plan

On the hill lies the Chlemoutsi fortress or the castle from which the town receives its name ‘Kastro’ (elevation: about 200 m). It was built by prince Geoffrey I Villehardouin of the Principality of Achaea in 1220-1223, who called it Clairmont (from which Chlemoutsi is a derivation). After the decline of the Principality the castle gradually lost its importance. Today it is sometimes used for concerts.

Cape Kyllini

Cape Kyllini is a cape located north of Kyllini. Between the cape and Kyllini is a small fortress named Glarentza and slightly east is the beach. It also offers a view of the island of Kefallinia from the north. The island of Kafkalida is the only uninhabited settlement. The island is rocky and has Kyllini’s lighthouse. The lighthouse is about 20 to 30 m tall. It is accessed by a tiny port holding one or two boats and is not used for cars from the port of Kyllini. It is only accessed by a pathway. The northern half of the island are made up of rocks. The island about 100,000 years ago was connected with the mainland.

Medieval Chlemoutsi ("Clermont") castle, in Kastro village in Kastro-Kyllini, Peloponnese Greece

Chlemoutsi Castle

KYLLINI SHORE EXCURSION FROM KATAKOLON PORT

The ruins of fortress Glarentza

Glarentza Fort in Kyllini, Greece
Glarentza Fortress in Kyllini

Glarentza is a medieval city located next to the location of today’s Kyllini. Glarentza, derived from Clarentia or Clarence, was an important city, mint and port during Frankish rule in the Peloponnese. It was built by the Villehardouins of the Principality of Achaea in the location of ancient Cyllene, in Elis during the 13th century. Glarentza’s port and its castle were strengthened by the Chlemoutsi fortress in the same area. Glarentza was located 5 to 6 km from Chlemoutsi and 12 to 13 km from Andravida.

Ilia Kaiafas, Peloponnese, Greece - photo by Stefosi
Photo by Stefosi

Kyllini – Weather and climate

JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDec
Day10°13°17°21°26°29°29°24°19°15°10v
Night11°15°18°18°15°11°
Rainfall9363643149532528495452v58°
Average monthly day and night temperatures in °C and average monthly rainfall in mm