Ancient Olympia Full Day Private Tour from Athens

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Corinth Canal

   The Corinth Canal, one of the most important infrastructure works of the modern Greek State, was inaugurated on July 25, 1893. Many believe that the canal changed maritime activity forever. It connects the Ionian and Aegean seas, making cargo and passenger ships between the two seas much faster.The first attempt to take advantage of the proximity of the two gulfs was over 26 centuries ago. The tyrant Periander proposed the project at the end of the 7th century BC. Due to various reasons- the technical challenge, the expense, and perhaps not least the potential danger of jeopardizing Corinth’s dominance in trade by making it too easy to simply sail past, he scrapped the project. Instead, he built the diolkos- a paved trackway for boats to be moved overland from one gulf to the other. Traces of the original diolkos remain.

   20 minutes here · Admission included

2. Archaeological Site of Olympia

   The Archaeological Site of Olympia, nestled in the serene Peloponnese, stands as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and a cornerstone of Western history. Dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods, this UNESCO World Heritage site was the heart of the "sacred truce," where ancient Greek city-states paused their wars to compete in athletic excellence. The sprawling site features the monumental Temple of Zeus, which once housed Pheidias’ colossal gold-and-ivory statue, and the Stadium, where you can still stand on the original stone starting lines used by ancient runners. Nearby sits the Temple of Hera, the site where the modern Olympic flame is ignited before every Games. From the ruins of the Palaestra to the workshop of Pheidias, Olympia offers a profound journey into the spiritual and physical ideals of antiquity, set against a backdrop of olive groves and cypress trees.

   90 minutes here · Admission included

3. The Temple of Zeus in Ancient Olympia was the heart of the sacred Altis. Built in the 5th century BC, this Doric masterpiece once housed the colossal gold-and-ivory Statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, its massive fallen columns and preserved pediments in the museum showcase the peak of Classical Greek art and the spiritual scale of the ancient Olympic Games.

   20 minutes here · Admission included

4. The Stadium at Olympia is one of the most evocative sites in the ancient world, representing the very heart of athletic competition. Unlike modern stone stadiums, this hallowed ground features a simple grass-banked arena where up to 45,000 spectators sat to witness the Olympic Games for over a millennium. As you walk through the Krypte (the vaulted stone tunnel used by athletes and judges), you emerge onto the track where the original stone starting lines, the balbis, are still embedded in the earth. The track measures approximately 192.27 meters, which legend says was the distance the hero Herakles could run in a single breath. Free from the luxury of seats, it remains a powerful symbol of the raw, spiritual connection between physical excellence and divine honor in Ancient Greece.

   20 minutes here · Admission included

5. The Temple of Hera is one of Greece's oldest Doric structures, dating to 600 BC. Located in the sacred Altis of Ancient Olympia, it originally featured wooden columns that were replaced by stone over centuries. Today, it is globally famous as the site where the Olympic Flame is lit for the modern Games, symbolizing the eternal link between ancient tradition and the spirit of sport.

   20 minutes here · Admission included

6. The Philippeion is an elegant circular memorial in the sacred Altis of Ancient Olympia. Commissioned by Philip II of Macedon after his victory in 338 BC and completed by Alexander the Great, it is unique for honoring human royalty rather than gods. This Ionic structure once housed five gold-and-ivory statues of the Macedonian dynasty. Today, its partially restored columns stand as a sophisticated example of ancient architecture, marking the transition into the Hellenistic era and symbolizing the political power that reshaped the Greek world.

   20 minutes here · Admission included

7. Archaeological Museum of Olympia

   The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is one of Greece's premier museums, housing a world-class collection from the nearby sanctuary. Its crown jewel is the Hermes of Praxiteles, a masterpiece of Classical sculpture. Visitors can also marvel at the colossal pediments and metopes from the Temple of Zeus, depicting the battle of the Centaurs and the Labors of Herakles. The museum also displays the helmet of Miltiades and the Nike of Paionios. Through its rich exhibits of bronzes, terracottas, and statues, the museum vividly tells the story of the ancient Olympic Games and Zeus’s cult.

   30 minutes here · Admission included

8. Museum of the Olympic Games

   The Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia explores the long evolution of the world's most famous athletic event. Housed in the Neoclassical building that was the site's first museum, it features over 400 ancient artifacts dating from the 2nd millennium BC to the 5th century AD. Highlights include bronze figurines, athletic equipment like stone weights (halteres), and inscriptions that reveal the winners' stories. It provides a fascinating look at the "Sacred Truce" and the diverse sports that defined the Games, from chariot racing to wrestling.

   45 minutes here · Admission included

9. Archimedes Museum

   The Archimedes Museum in Ancient Olympia is a unique tribute to the greatest mathematician, physicist, and engineer of antiquity. Dedicated to the "father of mechanics," the museum features dozens of interactive, functional replicas of Archimedes' inventions. Visitors can explore the ingenious Archimedes' Screw, the powerful burning mirrors, and the legendary cranes used to defend Syracuse. Beyond war machines, it showcases his breakthroughs in geometry and hydrostatics. It is an engaging, family-friendly site that proves ancient Greek genius extended far beyond philosophy and sports.

   30 minutes here · Admission included

10. Market of Ancient Olympia

    The Market of Ancient Olympia, or the Roman Agora, served as a bustling commercial and social hub for the thousands of spectators and pilgrims who flocked to the sanctuary. Located near the entrance of the site, this rectangular courtyard was surrounded by colonnades (stoas) that housed shops, workshops, and temporary stalls. During the Games, traders sold everything from food and votive offerings to souvenirs. Today, the scattered remains of its foundations and columns offer a glimpse into the daily life and economic activity that supported the world's greatest athletic festival.

    30 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Options you can book

• TICKETS INCLUDED

  Duration: 11 hours Entrance Tickets Included: All entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums listed in the itinerary are included in the tour price Private Transportation Pickup included

• TICKETS NOT INCLUDED

  Duration: 11 hours Entrance Tickets Not Included: Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums are NOT included in the tour price and are payable on site Private Transportation Pickup included

• TICKETS & LUNCH INCLUDED

  Duration: 11 hours Lunch Included: Fees for lunch are included in the tour price Entrance Tickets Included: All entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums listed in the itinerary are included in the tour price Private Transportation Pickup included

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

el, en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 7 travelers per booking

Operated by

Transfer To Athens

Know before you go

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• All excluded entrance fees must be purchased and paid directly on site on the day of the tour if you do not choose the option with tickets

Photos