Diakopto, Greece

Diakopto highlights

Known for coastal town, railroad, scenic road

Diakopto is a coastal town located in the Achaea region of West Greece, situated on the Gulf of Corinth near the mouth of the Vouraikos river and at the lower end of the Vouraikos Gorge. Diakopto is a tidy town known for its beautiful gardens and picturesque port. Diakopto is also know for a station of Rack Railway toward Kalavrita. The train can reach high altitudes and operate on steep grades, passing through territories of unique interest and spectacular views.

You understand, it is impossible to see Greece just in a couple of days. Come with us to explore Greece in a 1-2 week road trip. We will pass Diakopto, along with other Greece' attractions, to discover the soul of the country, its way of life, culture and traditions, food and drinks. Browse our tours passing Diakopto, or contact us directly for a custom tour in Greece. By the way, we charge nothing for a custom itinerary. Contact us directly, let's plan all the details of your trip and get it done!

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Last reviewed: 22 April 2025

Diakopto description

The area around Diakopto has a rich historical background, with ancient Greek cities such as Boura, Helike, and Keryneia once existing there. The region was under Ottoman rule from 1460 to 1821, except for a brief period of Venetian rule between 1687 and 1715. Following the Greek War of Independence in 1821, Diakopto became part of the new Greek state, and the municipality was established in 1835.

One of the main attractions in Diakopto is the historical ＂Odontotos Railway＂, a 750 mm gauge railway built in 1885. This railway runs from Diakopto to Kalavryta, passing through the scenic Vouraikos Gorge and the Mega Spilaio Monastery. The railway is a major tourist draw, offering spectacular views of the gorge.

With an unparalleled journey that lasts for about one hour and starts from Diakopto, the rack railway runs through the gorge of Vouraikos and the village of Zachlorou, ending up in Kalavrita. The train covers the 22 kilometer journey, traveling at a speed of 30-40km/h when moving along the regular rack and 6-15km/h when moving along the toothed racks.

The classification of the railway as ＂Rack＂ or ＂Cog＂ comes from the cog wheels these trains use that mesh in the rack rail, helping them to operate on steep grades. The train features special pinions inside the wheels, used when the steep gradient increases and latch on the rail, both during the ascent and the descent.

Diakopto and its surrounding areas offer several tourist attractions. The town itself features a railway station square with an old steam engine called ＂Moutzouris＂ and the Odontotos Railway Museum. Archaeological sites include the village of Mamousia, which is believed to be the site of Ancient Kerynia, and potential locations of Ancient Eliki. The area is also known for its beaches, such as the cosmopolitan beach of Egali and the beach of Pounta, as well as seaside villages like Rodia and Elaionas.

The Vouraikos Gorge, with its thick vegetation and rare flowers, is a landmark for the area. The gorge and the surrounding mountains offer opportunities for hiking and exploring. Additionally, the cave of Vouraikos Hercules near Trypia is another point of interest for nature enthusiasts.

Diakopto's historical significance, combined with its natural beauty, makes it an interesting destination for tourists. The town's connection to ancient cities and its role in Greek history add a layer of cultural depth. The scenic railway and the picturesque villages and beaches make Diakopto a unique blend of history, nature, and relaxation.

Diakopto related tours

We at Monterrasol Travel welcome you to see Diakopto during multi-day private car tour. Contact us if you would like to customize your tour to Diakopto.

We have developed several private tours that visiting beautiful Diakopto. But, if you have a special conditions or any from these tours fit you, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can organize a tour exactly as you would like. We charge nothing for develop a custom itinerary. And remember, we have no problems to take you from almost any place where you stay, hotel or private accommodation.

All-seasons 3 weeks Peloponnese and Central Greece tour from Athens. History, nature, UNESCO places, fortresses, monasteries, cuisine. all seasons tour 21 days Price from € 6,425 View tour details Request this tour tour starts in: Athens, Greece tour finishes in: Athens, Greece tour duration: 21 days (20 nights) tour countries: Greece tour destinations: Acrocorinth, Amphiareion of Oropos, Ancient Corinth, Argos, Arta, Chalkida, Corinth canal, Delphi, Diakopto, Dodoni, Epidaurus, Hosios Loukas, Ioannina, Kalamata, Kardamyli, Koroni, Livadeia, Mesolongi, Messene, Meteora, Methoni, Monemvasia, Mycenae, Mystras, Nafpaktos, Nafplio, Oiniadai, Olympia, Patras, Pylos, Rio, Sparta, Thermopylae, Tiryns We welcome you to all-seasons 3 weeks tour across Greece mainland. With this tour you going to see main attractions of Peloponnese and Central Greece. The tour will bring to to famous UNESCO places, fascinating museums and imposing archaeological sites, picturesque panoramas of see and mountains, dramatic landscapes and scenic routes. We going to visit well known from the history of civilization towns, coastal and mountain villages, enjoy famous Greek cuisine in local tavernas, climb ancient steps of fortified towns and monasteries, walk the walls of medieval fortresses and castles. Greece is the ideal destination if you enjoy history and nature regardless the time of the year you plan to visit it.

Travelling Greece: mainland extended tour, part 1/2 Touring Greece UNESCO sites, villages, castles, monasteries, archaeological places. all seasons tour 23 days Price from € 7,751 View tour details Request this tour tour starts in: Athens, Greece tour finishes in: Athens, Greece tour duration: 23 days (22 nights) tour countries: Greece tour destinations: Acrocorinth, Ancient Corinth, Argos, Bassae, Corinth canal, Diakopto, Elonas, Epidaurus, Foinikounta, Gytheio, Kalamata, Kalavryta, Kardamyli, Koroni, Kosmas, Loutraki, Megalopolis, Messene, Methoni, Monemvasia, Mycenae, Mystras, Nafplio, Nemea, Olympia, Palace of Nestor, Palaia Epidavros, Patras, Plaka, Porto Kagio, Pylos, Rio, Sparta, Tainaro, Tiryns, Tolo, Vathia This 23 days tour is part 1 of extended touring across Greece mainland, focused on famous Peloponnese peninsula. The tour is intended for people who would like get to know deeply the history and current style of life in Greece. Do you want to walk ancient historical places where are roots of culture of our civilization? Do you want to feel the touch of Greece? Would you like to feel Greek atmosphere in towns and villages, castles and fortresses, museums and tavernas? The main idea of this tour is visiting together with famous UNESCO attractions also off the beaten patch places of Greece, some of them are hard to reach, some of them are remote, and some are cannot be visited with large bus at all. This tour can be extended for few days to spend a few days in Athens, to visit Athens attractions and get to know this famous city and places around. Ask us for that!

Central Greece off-season 24 days tour from Athens. Visit non-touristy and UNESCO and tentative list sites of Greece mainland. off-season only tour 24 days Price from € 8,069 View tour details Request this tour tour starts in: Athens, Greece tour finishes in: Athens, Greece tour duration: 24 days (23 nights) tour countries: Greece tour destinations: Aigai, Antirrio, Arachova, Corinth, Delphi, Diakopto, Dion, Eretria, Galaxidi, Hosios Loukas, Kalavryta, Lamia, Larissa, Litochoro, Livadeia, Loutraki, Mesolongi, Meteora, Mycenae, Nafpaktos, Oiniadai, Patras, Pella, Rio, Servia, Thermopylae, Trikala, Veria, Volos This off-season 24 days tour is interesting for people who would like to touch the history of Greece through visit few UNESCO Word Heritage sites, few UNESCO tentative list sites, and some of non-touristy places, all located in Central Greece. With this tour you will walk ancient historical places where are roots of the culture of our civilization. Greece is so rich with history that visit all UNESCO places in one tour will take very long time. Because of that we, Monterrasol Travel, created this tour to be able to visit the most of Central Greece UNESCO places in one tour.