Known for being the city where the Olympic Games began almost 3,000 years ago, Olympia has become one of the must-see places in Greece when travelling around the Peloponnese. It is a place of great archaeological and historical importance that will transport you back in time.
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Things to see in Olympia Greece
Archaeological Site
A visit to the original stadium where the competitions were held almost 3,000 years ago is an experience you cannot miss. In the area you can also see the remains of the Temple of Zeus, the studio of Phidias, the gymnasium where the athletes trained and much more.
Temple of Zeus
It is one of the most visited places in Olympia, and you will recognise it by the ruins of the majestic columns that protected the sculpture of Zeus. The sculpture is no longer standing, however, visiting the place is still a good experience. These ruins are impressive, so if you love history and all that goes with it, you will have a great time.
Temple of Hera
This Doric-style temple in honour of one of the most popular goddesses of Greek mythology is where they still hold the ceremony of the Olympic Games today, where they light the sacred Olympic fire. This is without a doubt one of the places you must visit during your stay in Olympia.
Archaeological Museum of Olympia
This museum houses the remains found in the archaeological site and is considered one of the best in Greece. Exhibits from the various excavation missions are on display inside the museum. Particularly noteworthy are the sculptural pediments that decorated the temple of Zeus, as well as the magnificent sculpture of Hermes with the infant Dionysus by the master Praxiteles.
Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of antiquity
Forgotten by many, this museum contains objects, mosaics and paintings that convey the importance of games in Ancient Greece.
Olympic Stadium
You enter the stadium through the “Krypte”, the passageway that served as the entrance for the judges and athletes. On the slopes of the stadium sat the spectators. The stadium had a capacity of about 40,000 spectators, who enjoyed the sporting competitions.
Gymnasium and Palestra
The Gymnasium and the Palestra are the first buildings you encounter when entering the site of Olympia. These areas served as a gymnasium and training centre for wrestling. With a square perimeter and a courtyard with arcades and columns, the athletes trained here before competing.
Philippeion
On the left is the Philippeion, a circular building, where Macedonian statues were placed. It is a monument to the Macedonian royal dynasty, dedicated by Philip II, King of Macedon, and completed by Alexander the Great after the assassination of his father in 336 BC.
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Things to see in and around Olympia Greece
Galaxidi
This is a historic fishing village situated below the oracle of Delphi and Mount Parnassus. It is considered one of the most picturesque villages in the area, a place where its natural beauty is still intact, despite the obvious passage of time.
Galaxidi still preserves the facades and marble decorations of palatial houses, owned by the wealthiest captains of the time. The traditional atmosphere envelops this village with the smell of salt and the sea. It has a beautiful natural harbour and an enclave that worth visiting.
Delphi
Delphi is a small village located on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus. Providing amazing views of the valley and the sea, this village has countless tourist attractions. There are excellent viewpoints that can be found in the different restaurants and hotels, where you can enjoy a beautiful postcard view of Delphi. In addition to exploring the entire village, you can also visit the fascinating shops and local stalls, perfect for finding handicrafts as souvenirs of your trip.
Corinth
Known worldwide thanks to its canal, Corinth is the closest Peloponnesian city to mainland Greece. In the archaeological area of the old city there is the Temple of Apollo, built in 550 BC during the city’s heyday.
The well-known Corinth Canal is a 6-kilometre-long waterway connecting the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea.
What to see in Olympia Greece in one day?
- Archaeological Site
- Temple of Zeus
- Temple of Hera
- Archaeological Museum of Olympia
- Museum of the Olympic Games of Antiquity
- Stadium of Olympia
What to see in Olympia Greece in two days?
On your second day you can take the opportunity to visit the charming fishing village of Galaxidi. You will also be able to taste some of the most iconic seafood dishes of Greek cuisine.
How to get to Olympia Greece?
To get to Olympia you have to land at Athens International Airport and then transfer to Olympia. You can travel from Athens either by car or by bus.
- If you go by car, you have to take the Corinth-Patras-Pyrgos road, which will take you over 300 kilometres in about three and a half hours.
- If you go by bus, the journey takes over five hours.
Where to eat in Olympia Greece?
Traditional Greek cuisine stands out above all for the use of high quality ingredients traditional of the Mediterranean diet, using spices and aromatic herbs. Some of the most typical recipes are Tzatziki, Spanakotiropites, mousakka (a dish made with minced lamb, aubergines and tomatoes) and gyros (pita bread stuffed with roast meat, tomato, onion and sauce).
Here is a list of some of the most famous restaurants in Olympia so you can try these traditional recipes.
- Taverna The Garden
- Taverna Orestis
- Symposio Taverna
- Ambrosia Garden
Tips for your trip to Olympia Greece
- If you go by car, you will have to leave it in one of the two car parks outside the archaeological site, as there is only access for authorised vehicles and taxis.
- In summer the opening times of the tourist city are from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and in winter it is until 5:00 pm.
- The entrance fee is 12 euros per person and must be paid in cash to enter.
- As with other archaeological sites in Greece, most places to visit in Olympia do not have much shade, so it we recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat and water.
How to organise what to see in Olympia Greece?
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FAQs
The quickest and most comfortable way to get to Olympia is by car from Athens, once you have landed at the international airport. If you’re driving, you’ll need to take the Corinth-Patras-Pyrgos road for over 300 kilometres which takes about three and a half hours, and if you’re travelling by bus, the journey takes more than five hours.
The ancient city of Olympia is easy to get around on foot.
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