Kyllini: A Coastal Hub
Kyllini, a town in Ilia, is located on the northwestern coast of the Peloponnese. It has the largest coastal passenger port in the Ionian Sea, handling over 1.5 million passengers annually. It ranks as the third-largest port in Greece and has daily ferry connections to Zakynthos, Kefalonia, and Ithaca.
Easier Access to the Ionian Islands
Kyllini is officially part of Greece’s growing seaplane network, a move that promises to boost regional connectivity, tourism, and real estate opportunities across Western Greece and the Ionian Islands. The coastal town has received final approval from national authorities to operate its own licensed waterway, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to modernise travel between the mainland and the islands. Kyllini enters the maritime aviation map and becomes a gateway to the Ionian Islands, as well as a connection point to the approved destinations of Alimos, Kalamata, Eratini, and Patras. In the coming weeks, Hellenic Seaplanes will carry out pilot familiarisation flights to Kyllini, similar to the recent trials in Kalamata, giving local residents in Ilia a firsthand look at this innovative mode of transport and its possibilities.
Seaplanes are aircraft that take off and land on water, ideal for islands and coastal regions with limited airport access. Unlike traditional planes, seaplanes use rivers, lakes, or coastal waters as runways, opening up new travel routes and cutting down transit times significantly. They also offer stunning aerial views of the coastline, beaches, and islands along the way. Kyllini is known for thermal springs (Loutra Kyllinis) whose use dates to antiquity. In ancient times, there were sanctuaries to Asclepius (the god of healing) and other deities in the area. For property owners and visitors, this improvement in accessibility offers another fun way to reach the islands like Zakynthos, Kefalonia, and Ithaca, just a short distance away. Mayor Ioannis Lentzas emphasised that the project is a milestone for the region, one that will“create new opportunities for tourism growth and strengthen Kyllini’s connection to the Ionian and the Peloponnese.”