💡 Curiosities
Little stories and surprises you may not know about Kiato & Sikyonia.
Kiato is not just a beautiful seaside town. It hides stories and characteristics that make it unique in Greece. Let’s discover its most unexpected aspects:
Did you know that the Ancient Theatre of Sicyon, just 10 minutes from the centre, was one of the largest in the ancient world? With a capacity of 10,000 spectators, it was even larger than the world-famous theatre of Epidaurus. Its acoustics and its view towards the Corinthian Gulf are breathtaking to this day.
Did you know that Kiato is considered the metropolis of the most famous table grape? The Kiato Sultana is renowned for its taste and quality, with massive exports worldwide. In fact, the region leads in organic farming, making Kiato a “green” gastronomic destination.
Did you know that according to ancient tradition, Sicyon (ancient Kiato) is considered the birthplace of Greek painting? The first famous school of painting, the Sicyonian School, was founded there. Leading artists of antiquity studied at this school, laying the foundations for the evolution of visual arts in the Western world.
Did you know that the Archaeological Museum of Sicyon is housed in an authentic Roman balaneion (bathhouse)? It is one of the few cases worldwide where the museum building itself is a massive and impressive archaeological find.
Did you know that Kiato served as a source of inspiration and a place of residence for the great Greek poet Kostas Karyotakis? In Diminio, right next to Kiato, the seaside villa where he spent his summers still stands today. This building of unique architecture remains a living monument of Greek literary heritage.
Did you know that since the late 19th century, Kiato was the main station connecting Athens with the rest of the Peloponnese? Today, it continues this tradition as the most modern transport hub, as the Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) connects it directly to Athens International Airport in just 1.5 hours.
Options from established partners for this area. Booking happens on their own site.
Guided visits, skip-the-line tickets and day trips, most with free cancellation.
See options →Things to do — KiatoActivities and local guides you can book ahead, so your day here is not spent queueing.
See options →These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their own page, at exactly the same price — with no extra cost to you.
Scan with your phone camera to open it on the go.
Before you arrive
Skip the SIM counter and the roaming bill. MyEsim is a Greek eSIM app — you set the plan up at home and it activates the minute you land, so the map works before you even leave the station. Visit Kiato readers get 10% off.
Enter the code at checkout on myesim.gr. Works on iPhone XS and newer and on most Android phones from 2019 onwards.
Before you arrive
Skip the SIM counter and the roaming bill. MyEsim is a Greek eSIM app — you set the plan up at home and it activates the minute you land, so the map works before you even leave the station. Visit Kiato readers get 10% off.
Enter the code at checkout on myesim.gr. Works on iPhone XS and newer and on most Android phones from 2019 onwards.
