The birthplace and venue of the ancient Olympic Games from 776 BC to 393 AD, this sacred sanctuary to Zeus holds the ruins of the enormous Temple of Zeus (which housed a gold-and-ivory statue among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the Philippeion, Palaistra, and the original Olympic Stadium.
Ancient Olympia lies in a wooded valley at the confluence of the Alpheios and Kladeos rivers in Elis, in the western Peloponnese. It was a sanctuary of Zeus from the Geometric period and the site of the Olympic Games, traditionally dated from 776 BC and held every four years until the Roman emperor Theodosius I banned pagan festivals in 393 AD. During the truce that accompanied the Games, warring Greek cities allowed athletes and pilgrims safe passage. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sacred precinct, the Altis, contained the main temples and treasuries. The Temple of Zeus, a Doric building of about 470-457 BC designed by Libon of Elis, once held the gold-and-ivory statue of Zeus by Pheidias, which was later removed to Constantinople and destroyed. Today only the foundations and a single re-erected column remain, along with fallen drums that show the scale of the building. The nearby Temple of Hera, from about 600 BC, is among the oldest Doric temples in Greece, and the Olympic flame is still kindled by the sun's rays at this spot before each modern Games. Other structures include the circular Philippeion, begun by Philip II of Macedon, the Palaistra and Gymnasium used for training, the Leonidaion guesthouse, and the workshop of Pheidias, later converted to a Byzantine church.
Through a vaulted entrance passage, visitors reach the stadium, which could seat around 45,000 spectators on grass embankments. The stone starting lines are still visible, and the track measures about 192 metres. Earthquakes, floods and the silting of the Kladeos buried much of the sanctuary, which preserved it until German archaeologists began systematic excavation in 1875. The German Archaeological Institute continues research, and the Greek Ministry of Culture undertakes conservation after the 2007 wildfires that reached the edge of the site.
The layout is a spread of ruins in a pleasant landscape, interpreted with bilingual signs and a site plan. The finds are displayed in the Archaeological Museum nearby, which should be seen in the same visit. A full visit takes about two hours for the site and one to two for the museum.
| Admission | €12 adults, free EU citizens under 25 |
|---|
Why it matters
Olympia hosted the ancient Olympic Games from 776 BC to 393 AD, the most important athletic festival of the Greek world and the origin of the modern Olympic movement. Its Temple of Zeus held the colossal statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Highlights
- The ancient stadium with its original stone starting lines
- The foundations of the Temple of Zeus and its single re-erected column
- The Temple of Hera, where the Olympic flame is lit
- The Philippeion, Palaistra, Gymnasium and workshop of Pheidias
- The vaulted entrance passage leading to the stadium
Tips for visiting
- Pair the site with the Archaeological Museum, which holds the Temple of Zeus sculptures and the Hermes of Praxiteles.
- Run a lap of the stadium track, which is permitted and a popular photo opportunity.
- Bring a hat and water, as the shady pines only cover parts of the site.
- Arrive early in summer, since tour groups from the coast reach the site by late morning.
- A combined ticket usually covers both the site and the museum.
When to visit
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant. In summer, visit at opening time or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
Accessibility
The main paths are mostly flat, but gravel and uneven stone make parts of the site difficult for wheelchairs. The museum is generally more accessible than the ruins, and visitors should confirm current arrangements locally.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a full visit take?
Plan about two hours for the archaeological site and another one to two hours for the museum.
Is the site English-language friendly?
Yes. Signs and the museum labels are in Greek and English, and local guides offer English-language tours.
Can the site be visited with kids?
Yes. Children often enjoy running on the stadium track, and the flat paths suit families, though there is little shade.
When did the ancient Games end?
The ancient Olympic Games ended in 393 AD after Theodosius I banned pagan festivals. The modern Games were revived in Athens in 1896.