Although this temple is geographically remote from other major sites of ancient Greece, it is one of the most studied ancient Greek temples because of its multitude of unusual features. Epikourios Apollo at Bassae was the first Greek site to be inscribed on the World Heritage List (1986). Its construction is placed between 450 BC and 400 BC. More about the significance of the Temple.

Map of the area of Bassae, ancient Arcadia, Messenia, Greece

From Katakolon Port to Epikourios Apollo

After your cruise ship arrival in Katakolo Port, for your convenience we have created two possible meeting points in order to meet us: the first is located at the exit of the port, while the second is inside the port facilities. You can see the detailed map.

Visit one of the most studied ancient Greek Temples

If you want to visit a rare and well preserved ancient Greek Temple you should try this excursion. The Taxi Katakolon private taxi tours will provide you with the best possible way to visit this remote site.

View all available Tour and Excursions packages we offer. See a detailed Google map with the Taxi Katakolon possible local routes and destinations.

The route

From the village of Andritsaina the road south-west brings one to the Temple of Apollo Epikourios at the area of Bassae. The temple is located 90km SW from the port. We need about 1 hour and 20 minutes driving. We must start as early as possible so we can visit it at the beginning of the tour. For this excursion we need at least 4 hours. In order to combine it with Olympia, we need at least 6 to 7 hours if we add more locations and a lunch.

The temple

It is dated to c. 420 B.C. a work of the famous Iktinos the architect that designed the Athens, Parthenon.

Indeed, Pausanias considered it to be among the finest temples of the Peloponnese in terms of sheer beauty and harmony. This is the only known temple of antiquity to combine three architectural orders. It is Doric, peripteral, distyle in antis, with pronaos, cella, adyton and opisthodomos.

It was built over an older temple by the inhabitants of Phygalia to thank Apollo the “helper” for everting sickness. The temple is the most fully preserved in Greece excepting only the temple of Thiseio or Thissio in Athens.

The temple of Apollo is presently covered in a white tent in order to protect the ruins from the elements. Conservation work is being carried out under the supervision of the Committee for the Conservation of the Temple of Apollo Epikourios of the Greek Ministry of Culture, which is based in Athens.

More locations to visit

Depending on the type and the duration of your private taxi tour, we can arrange for you a number of other local excursions. We can visit places like the local Wineries, fine Beaches, Amphitheaters, delicious taverns.