Amaliada
From here one can admire the oak forest of Foloi, which stretches like a sea of green, and discover in the mountainous hinterland the route of Pinios with the dozens of ruins of mills on its banks, which testify to the prosperity of a local processing agricultural economy that no longer exists. A route of infinite beauty is that of PineiakosLadonas, which originates from the Lala plateau and ends in the hollow Ilida. The route is suitable for equestrian or walking tourism. On the west side of the city, on the borders of the Ilia plain, dominates the Castle Chlemoutsi, a point to admire the Greek sunset. A little further north is the wetland of Kotychi with the enchanting Strofilia. A trip to Vasses, to the temple of Epicurean Apollo, to the Parthenon of the Peloponnese, at the distance of 40 km, is Ancient Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games.
Alfeios. Alfeios is the most important river of the Peloponnese. It is also called Roufias, which comes from popular paretymology, through many transitions: Alfeios - Alfeias - Arfeias - Roufias. In medieval times it was claimed by scholars that the intermediate type of Arfeia was a river of Orpheus instead of Alfeios.
It is the largest river in the Peloponnese and has a length of 110 km. It originates in Arcadia, near the village ofKampochori, at the foot of Taygetos. In its course it receives the waters of Elissonas, Lousios, Ladonas, Erymanthos and Kladeos. Finally it flows at the northern end of the Kyparissia gulf on the side of Ilia, near Katakolo.
In Alfeios, several athletes go downhill with an inflatable boat. It is an impressive route for rafting in Greece.
The name of the river is etymologically derived from the ancient verb “alfano” which means I offer wealth.
Ilia may be characterized as lowland, but the mountains that rise on it are important! Imposing, beautiful, mythical, as mythical are their names:
Erymanthos:
The descendant of the king of Arcadia Erymanthos gave his name to the largest mountain of the prefecture, bordering with Achaia. A long mountain, very steep, with many ravines and plateaus. According to Homer, Artemis and Panas lived here. Here Hercules carried out the feat by killing the giant Erymanthos boar. Its largest peak in the prefecture of Ilia is called Astras or Analipsi (1795 m.)
Lyceum:
Lycaon, the mountain on which Zeus was raised, stretches a small part of it to southern Ilia. Lycaon means light. Light golden and bright, abundant and pure, light that is abundant by the Greek sun. (Lyc- = Twilight, twilight, Lycabettus, Lyceum etc). In its Ilida section is Andritsaina and the Temple of Epicurius Apollo. It forms verdant ravines while its highest Ilia peak is located above Fanari (1346 m.)
Μinthi:
Mount Minthi (1222 m.) It got its name from the nymph Minthiwith whom the God Pluto fell in love and whom he turned into a plant (mint). Out of jealousy, Persephone has given her name to the strategically located mountain, overgrown with mint. From its hills one can control the roads that connected Ilia with Messinia and Achaia.
Lapithos:
Lapithos got its name from the Centaur Lapathas who lived there. Lapithos is a low mountain (600 - 800 - 1100 meters altitude) from Graikaeos to Caiaphas which divides with its volume the province of Olympia into two parts and ends low to the south near the sea of Kyparissakos gulf.
The beautiful lake in Ilia that seems to join the sea.
Lake Caiaphas, a rare and unique wetland.
The lakes of Greece are a special and special part that always enchants you when you visit them. Many and different, some small and some large, the beautiful Greek lakes are often associated with myths, legends and traditions.
Also, many of them stand out for their location and special beauty. One such Greek lake, is Lake Caiaphas.
As you look at it from afar you think it joins the sea at some point. And this is what is actually happening….. since it is separated from the sea by just a strip of land.
Ilia is one of the most ideal destinations for summer. It attracts and invites travelers to experience an unforgettable summer, to enjoy the endless sandy beaches with clear blue waters, hot sun, swimming and the extremely impressive sunset. The traveler can choose between several beaches that best suits his way of relaxation and fun.
Kourouta
Let's start with the most popular destination of the prefecture, Kourouta. The beach has kilometers of golden sand that is accompanied by a gentle, hospitable sea.
Stake
The location of Palouki Amaliada, harmoniously combines the picturesque small port (marina) and the wonderful sandy beach which is a continuation of the "golden" coastline that starts from Bartholomew and ends in Duneika.
Skafidia - Agios Ilias
The golden sand of Skafidia - Agios Ilias rightly claims a place among the best beaches in the country. The abundant golden sand, the clear, blue waters with a green background behind the beach, gather a crowd of people, It is remarkable that every visitor stands to capture the incredible landscape.
Katakolo
Behind the marina of Katakolo extends the sandy beach that reaches Kyparissiawhich differs in places for the depth of its waters. It is surrounded by famous fish tavernas and cafes that give a tropical sense to the area!
Zacharo
It wins the Blue Flag every year as one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the European Union and gathers thousands of swimmers every season. Its main features are its sand, golden and dense, and its endless landscape.
Arkoudi
Then, the famous Bear (Arkoudi) combines the fine golden sand and the blue waters, giving the visitor the impression that they are on an island. It is no coincidence that the first thing many locals is that if you don’t go there you will never know what you have been missing.... It is a small cove with the colorful houses of the village contributing to the wonderful view. Surrounded by shops and hotels, it is considered one of the most cosmopolitan beaches in the prefecture.
Golden Coast of Kyllini
The exotic beach of Kyllini is one of the most beautiful Greek beaches, which wins every year the blue flag for the purity of its waters. The golden sand and the length of 6 km gives the visitors of the beach a feeling of relaxation and lots of pleasant moments.
Kyllini
A beautiful beach that can be combined with everything. Next to the port, but without letting this affect it, offers the opportunity for a swim in combination with a good coffee, a nice ice cream, a delicious meal with fish and not only in the dozens of shops in the area. The beach of Kyllini is more reminiscent of the beach of a tourist island than of a beach of Ilia. Bathers will find sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, canteens and other amenities on the beach, while they will feel secure in the presence of a lifeguard.
Saint Andrew
At a short distance from Pyrgos - just 13 km - is formed the bay of Agios Andreas which offers a combination of sandy beach with rocks at the edges of the beach.
Leventochori
Finally, we left the wonderful Leventochori - one of our calmest and most picturesque seas. As the green hills of Ilia land blend into the sea they form wonderful coves covered with dark sand.