Ancient Olympia Greece Travel Guide: Everything About Olympic Flame Birthplace, Temple of Zeus, Ancient Stadium and Museums with Transport Details and Prices
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This article serves as a guide for tourists wishing to visit the ancient city of Olympia during their vacation in Greece. It includes information about how to get to Olympia, including excursions as an alternative way to visit this place.
I’ll also provide a brief overview of Olympia’s main attractions, such as the ancient Olympic Stadium, museums of ancient Greek history, and the Temple of Zeus.
Finally, I’ll give some practical tips for visiting Olympia, including recommendations on where to eat during your trip and choosing souvenirs.
The ancient city of Olympia: what it is like today and why it is worth visiting during your vacation in Greece
Olympia is an ancient Greek city, one of the largest sanctuaries of Ancient Greece, and the birthplace of the Olympic Games. It’s located in the northwestern part of the Peloponnese. Countless tales, legends, and myths are associated with this city.
Olympia was built in the 3rd millennium BC in honor of Zeus – the chief of all ancient Greek gods of Olympus. The city gained popularity through the Olympic Games and national carnivals held here once every four years.
At the foot of Mount Kronos, near the confluence of the Alpheus and Kladeos rivers, in the sacred grove of Altis, excavations of ancient Olympia were conducted. Initially, before the construction of Zeus’ temple, sanctuaries of the goddess Gaia and Cronus were located here.
Today the city is divided into two parts – modern and ancient. The first is not particularly interesting, but thousands of tourists from all over the world come to ancient Olympia annually to see the remains of ancient civilization with their own eyes.
Modern part of Olympia city and the road to the city
How to get to Olympia
From Athens’ Bus Terminal A (Kifissou, 100) to Olympia, via Pyrgos, there are 2 direct buses per day: at 9:30 and 13:00 (journey time – 5.5 hours). From 06:30 to 21:30, at intervals of 1.5-2 hours, buses go to Pyrgos, then you need to transfer to a bus to Olympia (departing once every half hour to an hour).
From Patras to Pyrgos, 10 bus routes depart daily from 05:30 to 20:30; travel time is one and a half hours.
By car, the journey from Athens to Olympia takes about 6 hours. You can travel via the route Athens – Corinth – Patras – Olympia, or head from Corinth through Tripoli.
Note that Patras has high traffic intensity – there’s a high probability of getting stuck in traffic.
Road from Pyrgos to Olympia
Location of Olympia on the Peloponnese Peninsula map
Ticket prices for visiting Ancient Olympia
Since April 1, 2016, separate tickets are no longer issued. According to the new law, a combined ticket costs 12 euros (reduced ticket €6) and includes entry to the archaeological excavations of Olympia, the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, and the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games, valid for one day.
Entry to the Museum of the History of Excavations in Olympia is free.
Reduced ticket (for 6 euros)
Free days in Olympia (free entry):
- March 6 (in memory of Melina Mercouri);
- April 18 (International Monuments Day);
- May 18 (International Museum Day);
- The last weekend of September (European Heritage Days);
- Every first Sunday from November 1 to March 31.
Olympia attractions
Olympia is called the archaeological reserve of the Peloponnese Peninsula. This historical complex is very popular with tourists.
Today, the city of Olympia is essentially a village with modern houses, most of which are hotels of various star ratings and homes of locals mainly engaged in servicing the archaeological site.
Slowly but surely, restoration of ancient buildings is ongoing. As with other archaeological sites in Greece, everything that cannot yet be restored is preserved with a special solution; all stones are counted and numbered.
Our first acquaintance with the land of Ancient Olympia began at a wonderful tavern that houses several “Olympic torches” carried at various times in different countries.
You’re allowed to take photos with them. The tavern itself has exceptionally delicious food; I was particularly impressed by the desserts. During my entire stay in Greece, I realized they generally cook well. It’s hard to find a place where the food isn’t good.
Near the tavern there’s a souvenir shop, which we were also advised to visit, but the prices there seemed quite inflated to me personally.
The complex’s territory is very large, so be prepared to walk a lot. Guides tell all the information about each object wonderfully, interestingly and engagingly.
Everything is very clean and beautiful – lots of flowering shrubs, trash cans, benches – everything as it should be in places where you need to walk a lot and have places to rest.
Stone made of compressed shells, millions of years old
I was most amazed by the ancient stone with shells embedded in it, which is several million years old, as the guide said. And everything can be touched, for those who can’t resist. I personally found it quite unusual to touch a stone that is very ancient, which ancient Greek Olympians might have touched. That is, it was lying there even before them, it just somehow incredibly survived.
Our guide bought everyone tickets to visit the Olympic village complex and museum. Right at the entrance, in several languages, there’s a brief guidebook for tourists.
Brief guidebook to Ancient Olympia for tourists at the entrance, near the Propylaea
Temple of Hera
Passing through the Propylaea (through the passage with colonnades), you find yourself in the sanctuary itself. Before you stands the Temple of Hera – Zeus’ wife. This is one of two temples whose ruins have survived to the present day. It currently houses the Olympic flame torch. It has been lit here since the games were resumed in 1896.
It was built in 600 BC as a gift to the Games’ winners from the residents of Elis. Today, only the foundation with a massive orthostat and the lower part of columns remain from the original structure. In ancient times the temple was used as a sanctuary; in our time it’s notable for being where the Olympic flame is lit.
It’s in Olympia that the place where the famous Olympic flame is lit is located. This place is in front of the ruins of the temple of the goddess Hera.
All that remains today of the Temple of Hera – the foundation with a massive orthostat and the lower part of columns
Temple of Zeus
Located not far from the Temple of Hera. Once upon a time, the statue of Zeus stood here – one of the 7 wonders of antiquity. On a pedestal 3.5 meters high, figures of the gods of Olympus were depicted.
Today tourists can only see individual elements of the architectural complex. This is one of the most revered temples in all of Greece; it must be visited to become more familiar with the culture and history of the country’s inhabitants.
The temple measured 27 x 64 m and was 22 m high. The eastern and western parts of the temple were decorated with fountains with sculptures of competitions and battles.
We approached the main temple of ancient Olympia, where one of the seven wonders of the world stood – the 12-meter golden statue of Olympian Zeus. After an earthquake, the building was completely destroyed.
On the temple grounds, there’s a single column (a reconstruction) so that contemporaries can see and understand how tall the temple was.
That very single column in the Temple of Zeus
The building collapsed in one direction; the columns were not solid but assembled like pancakes. Holes can be seen in the circles; they’re not accidental.
Earthquakes on the peninsula occurred frequently; ancient architects came up with a wonderful device – “stone pancakes” were fastened to each other with tin sleeves that held the columns during disasters.
What happened? Why was the beautiful temple destroyed? The fact is that barbarians attacked Olympia several times and set fire to trees and buildings. The tin melted under high temperatures and poured out of the columns. And the next earthquake completely destroyed the temple.
The ruins remained on the plain, and the most interesting fragments were transferred to the museum.
Temple of Zeus
Before the entrance to the temple, a sacrifice of 60 white bulls was made; their throats were cut by boys from complete families who had both father and mother alive – this was a mandatory condition.
To prevent the smell of blood from spreading, the entire territory was fumigated with incense. The skin and entrails of the bulls were burned as a tribute to the gods; if the tail rose upward, the gods were pleased, but if downward – they had to be appeased again. The priests and athletes ate the meat of the sacred animals.
Alley of "Shame"
From the main temple we approach the Alley of “Shame,” and you can count that 16 pedestals are installed here. All of them held statues of Zeus, cast from one mold.
Alley of “Shame” – further ahead you can already see the arch for entering the Stadium
The fact is that violators of established rules were punished here with a fine, and statues were cast with this money. To get to the stadium, you had to walk along this alley and think about your behavior.
Walking along the Alley of Shame, we come to an arch through which judges and athletes entered the field. The height of the arch equals the height of the most famous hero of ancient myths – Hercules. And during the Olympic Games, this was a tunnel whose entrance was closed by gates. And we come out into the holy of holies – the stadium.
Previously, judges and athletes entered the field through this arch – today it’s curious tourists
Ancient Stadium
Not only the temples of Hera and Zeus can be called key places of the ancient city, but also the first official stadium in European history.
It’s located on the eastern side of the temples described above. Stone judges’ stands, running lanes, and the arch through which judges and athletes entered the field have been preserved here.
This is where you have the opportunity to rest after lengthy tours of historical places.
The Olympic Stadium – a loud name, but in reality it’s a little different from what we expected to see. But it’s nice to see that small tourists – children – are even given competitions and allowed to run on it to feel like real Olympians.
The stadium, with an area of 7,000 square meters, could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators.
In appearance – it’s a cleared and well-maintained area with preserved stone judges’ stands, running lanes, and an arch
The stadium had neither seats nor stands. Male spectators sat wherever they wanted.
In general, the ancient stadium represents the same ruins, which can only be brought to life by your imagination and fantasy, and at least minimal knowledge of history.
The stadium’s length is 192.25 m or 600 of Hercules’ feet, who measured the length from the beginning of sunrise until its full ascent in the sky. Women were not allowed into the stadium because athletes competed naked. But this too was because of a woman.
Once, a disguised woman won a running race; when the secret was revealed, a decision was made about competing without clothes. But in different years the rules changed; there were times when races were run in full armor and equipment.
Improvised competitions held at the stadium
And in our group there were those willing to compete at the ancient Olympic stadium, and a girl won, on whose head they placed a wreath of olive branches.
There’s a small pedestal at the stadium. Unfortunately, the plaque from this pedestal was taken for restoration, otherwise we would have read that it was in this very place that two large bowls of oil were installed and a torch was lowered into one of them, whose wick was soaked in a combustible mixture. This ritual took place at dawn. The torch was lit by the sun’s rays.
Small pedestal on which a bowl of oil was placed for lighting Olympic torches
By the way, the founder of reviving the ancient tradition of lighting the torch was Hitler, who in 1936 issued a decree on starting the Olympic Games in Germany with the lighting of fire from ancient Olympia.
Philippeion
And this is the youngest temple of Olympia, built by Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II, of white marble, to commemorate the victory he achieved at Chaeronea over the Athenians and Boeotians in 338 BC. The temple has a round shape; inside in the middle stood statues of Philip himself, his wife, mother of the famous Alexander, and the great commander himself.
The temple is a unique circular building. In general, the Philippeion completes the architecture of the classical Peloponnese. This monument, erected as a sign of the triumph of the Macedonian monarchy, marks the beginning of the end of the political independence of Hellenic poleis and their limited-democratic state system.
Unfortunately, little remains of the Philippeion, as with most buildings in Olympia.
Remains of the Philippeion
Stone Garden
The place I remember best is a small olive grove with interesting stones. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what it’s called or what these stones are for; I couldn’t find information on the internet either.
I called it the “Stone Garden” for myself. Some unusually calm and peaceful atmosphere reigns there. It’s very pleasant to walk through the shady grove, sit on ancient stones; I even wanted to meditate.
The place I called the “Stone Garden” for myself
Museums
On the complex’s territory there are three interesting museums.
- Museum of the History of Excavations in Olympia;
- Archaeological Museum of Olympia;
- Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games.
Museum opening hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 8:30 – 17:00
- Sunday: 08:30 – 15:00
Museum of the History of Excavations in Olympia
A small building with a large volume of interesting information. Documentary films and photos of the archaeological work process on Olympia’s territory are collected here, capturing the excavations of the Sanctuary of Zeus in stages.
You’ll learn what the city looked like during different periods of its existence, and see exhibits found on this territory over the past several decades.
Open every day in summer and spring.
Opening hours: from 8 am to 7 pm, and in winter and late autumn – from 8:30 to 15:00, Tuesday-Saturday.
The cost of visiting is included in the price of a combined ticket for all Olympia museums (12 euros).
Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to visit it, so there won’t be photos from it in this article.
Archaeological Museum of Olympia
The historical pearl of Olympia, a place where several thousand exhibits are collected. A separate hall of the museum is dedicated to Zeus’ sanctuary; in the permanent exhibition – finds from excavations from the sacred grove of Altis, ancient Greek sculptures (for example, the statue of Hermes with the infant Dionysus), dozens of terracottas. In addition, one of the richest collections in the world is kept here – a collection of bronze items from ancient Greece.
Open daily from 9 to 15 in the cold season and from 8 to 20 in summer.
Entrance fee – 12 euros from April to the end of October and 6 euros in November-March.
Archaeological Museum of Olympia
The museum building includes exhibition halls, auxiliary rooms, and storage facilities. Twelve exhibition halls contain objects found during excavations in Altis.
In 2004, reconstruction was completed at the museum. Now it meets all modern museology standards.
Some exhibits from the Archaeological Museum of Olympia
In winter 2012, the museum suffered a robbery; display cases were smashed and 77 museum exhibits were stolen! Among them were such masterpieces as a ring from the 15th century BC (thieves tried to sell it for 1.5 million euros but couldn’t). The Minister of Culture resigned but explained that normal security cannot be provided due to austerity measures related to bringing the country out of crisis. Fortunately, everything was found six months later; the thieves turned out to be a group of local fraudsters.
The Archaeological Museum turned out to be very interesting; we were very pleased with our visit. Now we should have a bite to eat in the café located next to the Museum, drink some water and rest.
That very café next to the Archaeological Museum
Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games
The museum has collected historical facts and myths about how the games began and how they were conducted. This is also quite an interesting exhibition.
A unique collection of postage stamps issued in different years before and after the revival of the modern Olympic Games is also stored here.
Museum of the History of the Olympic Games
The Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games contains more than 400 ancient exhibits from a large chronological range – from the second millennium BC to the 5th century AD. The exhibition area consists of a large central hall and eleven small halls.
The most important exhibits of the museum are marble sculptures of athletes, bronze and terracotta figurines of warriors and animals, various vessels and objects that athletes used during competitions at the Olympic Games.
The museum’s 12 halls contain more than 400 exhibits, from the second millennium BC to the 5th century AD
The Museum has an exhibition dedicated to women’s participation in the Olympic Games. According to the rules of that time, women not only did not participate in Olympic competitions, they were even forbidden to be present at the Games as spectators under penalty of death, because athletes competed completely naked.
Near Olympia, on the bank of the Alpheus, a huge rock rose, from which women who infiltrated the sacred Olympic Games were to be thrown. An exception was made only for one woman – the priestess of the goddess Demeter.
Nevertheless, women could become Olympic champions in absentia – simply by sending their chariot. The woman who managed to win in competitions among men was a Spartan of noble royal lineage. Her name was Cynisca, and she was the sister of the Spartan king Agesilaus.
Cynisca bred horses. This hobby was supported by her famous brother, although he didn’t take it very seriously. Nevertheless, the team of four horses Cynisca entered in the Olympic Games came to the finish first. And since the owner of the team was considered the winner – Cynisca was entitled to a laurel wreath and all the honors associated with victory.
Exhibition dedicated to women’s participation in the Olympic Games
What else to do while visiting Olympia
Greek cuisine is known worldwide for its delicious taste and fresh ingredients, and Olympia is no exception. The town has many traditional restaurants and cafés serving authentic Greek dishes that are sure to impress you.
Unfortunately, we weren’t given much time to walk around the modern quarters; an hour after visiting the ancient complex, we had to leave. But I managed to run into the nearest shop and realized that prices there were much lower than in the shop where we had stopped.
If there had been an opportunity to walk around modern Olympia, one could find many interesting and inexpensive souvenir shops.
“Very informative” sign. For everything you need in the city of Olympia – go left
Try local cuisine in traditional taverns and restaurants
Taverna O Platanos: This family restaurant is located in the heart of Olympia and offers traditional Greek dishes prepared from fresh local products. The restaurant’s open courtyard is a wonderful place to enjoy a meal during summer months.
To Spitiko: This charming restaurant is located in the nearby village of Pyrgos and offers delicious homemade Greek dishes. The restaurant’s outdoor seating area offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Lithos: This fashionable café is located in the city center and offers a wide selection of delicious coffee drinks and pastries. The café’s outdoor seating area is a great place to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Kalogeropoulos Bakery: This bakery is a must-visit for all sweet tooths. The bakery’s signature dish is loukoumades – Greek-style donuts served with honey and cinnamon.
To Perasma: This cozy tavern is located in the village of Olympia and offers a wide selection of delicious homemade dishes. The restaurant’s outdoor seating area offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Select souvenirs from local artisans
When visiting Olympia, you’ll find a wide selection of souvenirs. Whether you’re looking for a keepsake or a gift for friends and family, you can choose from many unique and authentic items. Here are some of the most popular souvenir options:
Greece is known for its high-quality olive oil, and Olympia is no exception. Look for locally produced olive oil sold in decorative bottles or tin cans. Many local shops will let you taste different varieties before buying.
Another product Olympia is famous for is delicious honey. Look for jars of honey made from local flowers such as thyme. You can also find honey products such as honeycomb and honey-flavored sweets.
Olympia is home to several pottery workshops where you can find unique and beautiful ceramics. Look for items such as plates, bowls, vases, and figurines. Many ceramic items feature traditional Greek patterns and designs.
Handmade soap: In Olympia you’ll find a range of handmade soaps made from natural ingredients such as olive oil and herbs. Look for soaps scented with lavender, chamomile, or rosemary.
Jewelry: Greece is known for its beautiful jewelry, and Olympia is no exception. Look for items such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets made from gold, silver, or natural materials such as shells or stones.
Greece is home to a number of excellent vineyards. Look for locally produced wine. Many wineries offer tastings and tours.
Greece is known for its high-quality leather, and Olympia is a great place to find leather goods such as bags, wallets, and belts. Look for items made from locally produced leather and decorated with traditional Greek designs.
In Olympia you’ll also find a wide selection of traditional Greek clothing, such as embroidered shirts and dresses, as well as handmade sandals. These items are unique and authentic souvenirs that are sure to impress.
Spices and herbs: Greece is known for its aromatic cuisine, and you can bring home a taste of Greece by purchasing local spices and herbs. Look for blends such as oregano, thyme, and sage.