With the waves of the Ionian Sea caressing its vast coastline, Ilia seems like a heavenly summer destination that combines the ancient with the modern, the unique monuments of man with those of nature. Walk the paths of the Olympic champions, in Ancient Olympia, where the ideal of fair play was born and the flame that every four years travels to every corner of the Earth was lit. Walk on the cobbled Andritsaina with its magnificent view of the plain of Ilia, fill up on positive energy at the temple of Apollo Epicurus and worship the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary at the monastery of Sepetos, impressively built on the rock in Ancient Alifeira. Live in the rhythm of
town of Pyrgos, take a walk in the picturesque Katakolon, rejuvenate in the thermal baths of Kyllini and Kaiafa and count millions of acorns in the fairytale forest of Fologi.

As in the whole of Moria, so in Ilia, folk songs and dances are in its “musical DNA”. Dances “Surtoi” and “kleftiko” or “apediktoi”, as they called the kalamatiano and tsamiko.

The scents of the sea greens – the “lilies of Panagia” – mingle with the cool sea breeze and exhilarate your soul on evening sea excursions.

Zacharo, the longest beach in Greece, 50 km long, is waiting for you to dive into its crystal clear waters and lie on its golden sand, as well as Arkoudi beach in Kyllini, the beach of Kaiafa and Skafidia, ideal for families with children. Go hiking in nature, discover the fairytale landscape of the female river Neda,
go rafting on Zeus’ favourite river, the Alpheus, or sail on a daily cruise to the “diamonds” of the Ionian Sea.

Enjoy meat and fish dishes, cooked with local produce, raisins, olive oil and aromatic plants. In Mountain Ilia they cook Tabakali, based on local beans and pumpkin.

INFO In Ancient Elis, Hercules performed his fifth feat, known as the “Copros of Augeas”. He undertook to clean the stables of the king of Elis, with the many flocks, in a single day. He did it with the power of the water from the rivers Alpheus and Pinios.