Before you go

Your trip to Olímpia.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Olímpia – Grécia Ocidental Destination Peloponeso about 115 km from Patras

How to get there

Aeroporto Internacional de Atenas Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) Spata · 320 km
Estação KTEL Ileias de Pyrgos Pyrgos · 20 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before you buy. From Athens it is about 300 km and 4 hours by car, on the A8 motorway to Patras and then along the coast, or via the A7 through Trípoli. KTEL buses from Athens and Patras reach Pyrgos, 20 km away, where you change to the local line to Olímpia. From Náuplia it is about 3 hours by car through the interior. Cruises call at the port of Katakolo, 35 km away, with excursions to the site.

How many days

A full day: the site and the Museu Arqueológico in the morning, the two village museums in the afternoon. Staying one night in Olímpia avoids the rush and allows you to visit the site at opening time, before the cruise groups.

When to go

From April to June, with flowers among the ruins, and from September to October. July and August are very hot in the stadium, which has no shade, although the Altis has pine trees. In winter the site opens with reduced hours and the village is almost empty.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

By car is the most practical way to get there, because Olímpia is far from the motorways and the bus requires a change in Pyrgos. In the village you don't need a car: the site, the museums, the hotels and the tavernas are about 15 minutes on foot from each other. There is parking at the site entrance and in the village.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Olímpia

Morning
The sanctuary and the stadium
Enter the site right at opening. Walk the Altis: Templo de Hera, Filipeion, the fallen Templo de Zeus, Fídias's workshop, and enter the stadium through the Cripta arch to run the 192-metre track.
Afternoon
Archaeological Museum
Have lunch in the village and return to the Museu Arqueológico, next to the site: the hall with the pediments of the Templo de Zeus, the Nike of Paionios and the Hermes of Praxíteles.
Late afternoon
Village museums
Go up to the Museo de la Historia de los Juegos Olímpicos de la Antigüedad, in the 1888 building with views over the valley, and stop by the Museu de Arquimedes on the main street.
Evening
Rua Praxitelous Kondyli
Dine in a taverna on the village main street. Olímpia goes to sleep early; enjoy the quiet.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Athens to Olímpia?

By car, in about 4 hours, 300 km, via the motorway to Patras and then along the coast, or via Trípoli. By KTEL bus, to Pyrgos and a change to Olímpia, about 5 hours in total. There is no practical direct flight or train.

Can Olímpia be done as a day trip from Athens?

It's tiring: it's 4 hours each way. Agencies sell the one-day excursion, but the visit is rushed. The best option is to spend one night in Olímpia, or include it in a Peloponnese circuit.

What is there to do in Olímpia besides the site?

The Museu Arqueológico, with the Hermes de Praxíteles, the Museo de la Historia de los Juegos Olímpicos de la Antigüedad and the Museu de Arquimedes in the village. Together they fill a day. The surrounding region has wineries and the beach of Katakolo, 35 km away.

Does the village have hotels and restaurants?

Yes. Archaia Olympia is a small village with simple and mid-range hotels on the main street, tavernas and souvenir shops. Out of season some of them close.

Is Olímpia near Náuplia?

No. It is on the opposite side of the peninsula, about 3 hours by car through the interior via Trípoli. On a Peloponnese itinerary it is usually the stop between the Argólida and the west coast or Patras.

Back to Olímpia