Ancient Olympia visitor guide — everything you need to know before visiting

At a glance

Address

Archaia Olympia, 270 65, Ilia (Elis), western Peloponnese, Greece

Hours

Open daily; summer (approx. Apr–Oct) ~08:00–20:00, winter shorter (~08:30–15:30); last entry −30 min. Confirm seasonally.

Founded

Sanctuary of Zeus; first Olympic Games held 776 BC

Games held

Every four years from 776 BC until abolished in AD 393

Seven Wonders

The Temple of Zeus held Phidias's gold-and-ivory Statue of Zeus

Combined ticket

Site + Archaeological Museum + Museum of the History of the Olympic Games

Ticket validity

Dated — reserved for the single day you choose

The sanctuary of Zeus

Ancient Olympia was the foremost sanctuary of Zeus in the Greek world, set in a walled sacred grove called the Altis in the western Peloponnese. From the 10th century BC it grew into a panhellenic centre of worship and athletics, and from 776 BC the Olympic Games were held here every four years, drawing competitors and spectators from across the Greek world. The Games continued for almost a thousand years until they were abolished in AD 393, and the sanctuary was later buried by earthquakes and river floods until rediscovered and excavated from the 19th century.

The Temple of Zeus and a Wonder of the World

The Doric Temple of Zeus, built around 470–456 BC, dominated the Altis. Inside stood the colossal seated Statue of Zeus by the sculptor Phidias — about 12 metres tall, made of gold and ivory over a wooden core — counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The statue is long lost, but the temple's massive fallen column drums still lie where earthquakes toppled them, and its sculpted pediments and metopes survive in the museum.

The Temple of Hera and the Olympic flame

The Temple of Hera (the Heraion) is one of the oldest temples in Greece, built around 600 BC. It is here, before each modern Olympic Games, that the Olympic flame is kindled from the sun's rays and carried in relay to the host city. Standing among its standing columns, you are at the symbolic source of the modern Olympic movement.

The ancient Stadium

From the sanctuary, a vaulted stone tunnel — the krypte, through which the athletes once entered — leads to the Stadium. The running track is still there, its original stone start and finish lines set in the earth, with grassy embankments that once held tens of thousands of spectators. Walking, or running, the track where the first Olympians competed is the moment most visitors remember.

The Workshop of Phidias and the Altis

Beyond the temples spread the rest of the sanctuary: the Workshop of Phidias, where the great statue of Zeus was made (and later a Byzantine church); the round Philippeion raised by Philip II of Macedon; the Bouleuterion where athletes swore the Olympic oath; the Palaestra and Gymnasion training grounds; and the row of treasuries given by Greek cities. Together they make Olympia one of the most complete ancient sanctuaries you can walk through.

The two museums

The combined ticket includes the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, home to some of the finest surviving ancient Greek sculpture — the Hermes of Praxiteles, the Nike (Victory) of Paionios, and the pediment figures and Labours-of-Herakles metopes from the Temple of Zeus. It also covers the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity, which tells the story of the Games, the events and the athletes.

Getting there and visiting

Ancient Olympia lies in the western Peloponnese beside the modern village of Archaia Olympia. From the cruise port of Katakolo it is about 30–45 minutes by road — one of Greece's most popular shore excursions. From Athens it is roughly a 3.5–4 hour drive, or reachable by KTEL intercity bus and by train/bus via Pyrgos. It is a large, open site with real distances and little shade, so bring sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water, and allow about 2.5–3 hours for the site and both museums.

Read the full guide: How to Get to Ancient Olympia →

Opening hours and the dated ticket

Ancient Olympia is open daily, year-round, with longer hours in summer and shorter ones in winter and last entry about 30 minutes before closing. Online tickets are dated — you choose your day, and we reserve your entry for it. The archaeological site is open through the day on your date; the Archaeological Museum may apply entry time slots, which we handle as part of the booking.

Frequently asked questions