The Ancient Wonders of Olympia

The Roots of Culture & Society

A small town charged with history and filled with beautiful ancient remains, Olympia immerses you into the wonders of a time long passed. Arrive in the picturesque town and make your way to the ancient ruins of the venue for the first Olympic Games. Look around and try to take in the jaw-dropping beauty and cultural significance of the temples and stadium that remain standing today.

Greece is known as the home of democracy and the home of much of today’s culture, but this is uniquely felt in Olympia. From 776 BC to 393 AD, the Olympic Games were held in Olympia, and wandering through the remains you are sure to picture ancient athletes lining up to show off their skills. The UNESCO World Heritage Site invites you to marvel at the stadium which later became the standard for all Greek stadiums in ancient times.

But the Olympic Games is not all this town is known for; the area was also home to a temple dedicated to Zeus, the most important ancient Greek god. Stunning art pieces were created to honor the god, which are now all housed in the nearby archeological museum. Other notable pieces in the museum include an impressive statue of Hermes, the herald of the Greek gods, and Nike, the goddess of victory.

Beauty of All Kinds

After soaking in all the cultural and historic value of Olympia there is still so much for you to do and see. This small town in the southern Peloponnese region of Greece has a lot more to do than meets the eye and is only a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Athens.

Ancient Olympia

Walk the charming streets of this sleepy town and enjoy a peek into authentic Greek life; a slow pace with a Greek coffee in hand seems to be the rule here. Pop into a variety of Greek restaurants and cafes and you are sure to be treated with a special brand of Greek philoxenia.

Ancient Olympia Workshop of Pheidias

Sun & Relaxation

Although Olympia is not a seaside town, you are never too far from the sea! While the nearest beach is 25 minutes away, a further drive can take you to the impressive sandy beach which lines 70km of the Ionian Coast. This beach begins in Kyparissia and continues through a number of charming villages with lively tavernas and restaurants of their own.

Visit the nearby village of Kalo Nero during the summer months to have the chance of witnessing the majestic Caretta-Caretta sea turtles hatch from beachside nests. A once-in-a-lifetime sight, the connection with nature mixed with the roots of human society that Olympia brings is not to be missed!