Olympia

Birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games, with the World Heritage–listed Temple of Zeus and ancient stadium, plus the Temple of Apollo at Bassae, a thermal lake and Ionian beaches nearby.

Olympia lies in Elis in the western Peloponnese, Greece, in the valley where the Alfeios and Kladeos rivers meet. Birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games, it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1989. The main site is the Altis sanctuary just south of the village of Ancient Olympia: the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the ancient stadium, the palaestra and other ruins are all within walking distance, and the adjacent Archaeological Museum holds the pediment sculptures of the Temple of Zeus and the Hermes of Praxiteles. The flame for the modern Olympic Games is still lit in front of the Temple of Hera. Beyond the village: 20–30 km to the south are Lake Kaiafas, its hot springs and the long sandy beach of Zacharo; 35 km to the west is the cruise port of Katakolo, with wineries nearby; about 50 km to the southeast in the mountains is the Temple of Apollo at Bassae, Greece's first World Heritage Site, which pairs well with the Neda waterfalls; to the north are Ancient Elis and Chlemoutsi Castle. The climate is Mediterranean: April–June and September–October are the most comfortable, while July–August often tops 35°C and the ruins have little shade. Getting there: about 3.5–4 hours' drive from Athens, or take a bus and change in Pyrgos, from where trains or buses run to Olympia. One day is enough for the ruins and museum; allow 2–3 days to add the beaches and temple nearby, ideally with a car.

Top sights

• Archaeological Site of Olympia – The birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games and the sanctuary of Zeus. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, with temples, the stadium and athletic…
• Archaeological Museum of Olympia – One of Greece's most important archaeological museums, housing the sculptures from the Temple of Zeus pediments and Praxiteles' Hermes.
• Temple of Zeus at Olympia – One of the largest Doric temples in ancient Greece. It once housed Phidias's gold-and-ivory statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the…
• Stadium at Olympia – The main arena of the ancient Olympics, reached through an arched entrance. The track is about 192 metres long, and you can run a stretch y…
• Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity – A neoclassical building on a small hill that tells the story of the ancient Olympic Games through artifacts, competition rules and the live…
• Temple of Hera at Olympia – One of the oldest Doric temples in Greece, where the modern Olympic flame is lit in front of the temple using a concave mirror.
• Philippeion – A round Ionic memorial hall built by Philip II of Macedon to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Chaeronea.
• Workshop of Pheidias – The workshop where the sculptor Pheidias made the statue of Zeus. It was later converted into an early Christian church, and a clay cup ins…
• Palaestra and Gymnasium at Olympia – Where athletes trained for wrestling, boxing and running before competitions. The rebuilt rows of Doric colonnades make for striking photos.
• Pierre de Coubertin Monument – The burial place of the heart of Pierre de Coubertin, father of the modern Olympics, set along a memorial avenue within the grounds of the…
• Archimedes Museum (Museum of Ancient Greek Technology) – A small science museum in the town that uses replica models to showcase ancient Greek inventions such as Archimedes' screw and automata.
• Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae – Greece's first World Heritage Site: a classical temple on a mountain 1,130 meters above sea level, sheltered under a large white protective…
• Lake Kaiafas – A coastal lagoon ringed by pine forest, with a small island and sulfur hot springs, next to a long sandy beach on the Ionian Sea.
• Zacharo Beach – A golden sandy Ionian Sea beach stretching over ten kilometers, backed by pine forest, with few crowds and clear water. It is a nesting gro…
• Katakolo – A Mediterranean cruise port and seaside village with restaurants and shops, the gateway for cruise passengers heading to Olympia.
• Mercouri Estate – A historic family winery near Katakolo, with a 19th-century estate, vineyards and tasting tours that are popular with cruise passengers.
• Neda Waterfalls – A series of waterfalls and emerald pools in the Neda River gorge, where after wading and hiking you can swim in natural pools.
• Ancient Elis – Ruins of the city-state that organized the ancient Olympic Games, with an ancient theater and a small museum. Athletes once trained here fo…
• Chlemoutsi Castle – A 13th-century castle built by Frankish crusaders, the most complete medieval castle in the Peloponnese, with views of Zakynthos Island.

Where to eat

• Symposio Taverna – A family-run taverna on a lane off the main street, praised by visitors for grandmother's moussaka and good value.
• Taverna Orestis – A traditional Greek taverna on a quiet back street, celebrated for its rabbit stew, where diners can choose fresh fish…
• Pheidias Grill House – A family-run grill house on the main road, with generous chicken gyros at fair prices and clearly marked vegetarian and…
• Bacchus Tavern – A family-run country tavern just outside Olympia, serving home-style dishes made with house-pressed olive oil, with mou…

Itineraries

• Classical Greece Mainland Loop – A classic heritage route from Athens looping through Argolis, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora.
• Southern Peloponnese Road Trip – A self-drive loop from Athens covering Argolis, Monemvasia, the Mani Peninsula, and Olympia.