How to visit the Olympiion, what to do and what to see in this historic monument of Athens? Welcome, we tell you everything.
A ticket to the Olympiion in Athens means discovering the temple of Zeus: the God of Gods himself! The columns of this vast Corinthian temple stand on an esplanade at the foot of the majestic Acropolis.
Although the ravages of time have reduced this monument to ruins, it is a major cultural landmark of classical Athens. Its rich and eventful history fascinates both specialists in antiquity and travelers passing through the Greek capital.
To convince you to join us, Generation Voyage tells you all about this centuries-old masterpiece!
History of the Olympiad
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Georgios Tsichlis
The Temple of Olympia is located a few hundred meters from downtown Athens, south of the Acropolis. Its foundations date back to 515 B.C., but construction was interrupted several times. The period of Athenian democracy, which succeeded that of the tyrants (the initiators of its construction), saw the temple remain unfinished.
It was no longer fashionable to erect such colossal buildings at the expense of the people… Work did not resume until the 3rd century BC, under Macedonian rule. It was King Antiochus IV who ordered the Roman architect Decimus Cossutius to build the world’s largest temple… in accordance with the principles of the Corinthian order, a classical architectural style!
Finally completed around 130 AD, at the instigation of Emperor Hadrian, who wished to honor the god Zeus, this temple has not withstood the ravages of time. Frequent earthquakes during the Byzantine era, followed by successive looting and the reuse of building materials, left the structure in a state close to what it is today.
In fact, in 1852, a storm blew one of these gigantic columns to the ground: it’s still lying on the ground, but you can get close to it when you visit the Olympiion!
Our tips for visiting the Olympiad
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Viacheslav Lopatin
Length of visit to the Olympiad
A visit to the Olympiion is easily accomplished in half an hour: enough time to discover all the points of interest.
Best time to visit the Olympiion
In our opinion, spring or autumn is the best time to buy a ticket for the Olympiad. The summer season is (as in most tourist spots) the most crowded.
It’s also worth noting that Athens experiences very high temperatures in summer, and it’s easy to suffocate in the Greek capital!
Additional information
- The current building is in ruins, but it’s possible to see an almost identical copy… without even leaving France! The Madeleine church in Paris, although larger, has a similar appearance;
- Visiting the Olympiad is difficult for people with reduced mobility. There are only a few ramps;
- Unlike the Acropolis, you don ‘t need to make a reservation to access the site during the high tourist season: it’s busy, but never crowded;
- Pets are not welcome inside the building;
- While security is the norm in the Greek capital, beware of pickpockets during the summer season. They only target the belongings of the most careless tourists: you’re not one of them, are you?
- Shady benches and free drinking water are available for tourists. Convenient in summer!
- Rocks, dust… No, really, forget flip-flops and sandals and opt for a good pair of closed-toe shoes.
What to do when you visit the Olympiion?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Viacheslav Lopatin
Like the illustrious Parthenon, the temple of the Olympiion is built entirely of white marble quarried from the Pentelic (a mountain in Attica). It is 108 metres long and over 40 metres wide.
Originally, one hundred and four Corinthian columns, 17 metres high and 2.6 metres in diameter, supported the roof. Today, only fifteen of these columns still reach for the sky. They seem to defy the passage of time! Sculptures to the glory of the god Zeus adorned the pediments, while busts of illustrious men towered over visitors. The emperor Hadrian himself was represented, but like the others, has mysteriously disappeared…
Today, a visit to the Olympiion (or rather, its remains) gives an idea of the colossal size of the edifice and the technical feat that its construction represented at the time. On the north-western side of the temple still stands Hadrian’s Gate, an imposing 18-metre-high marble arch built in 131 .
It once separated the ancient from the modern city. The ruins of the Olympiion are close to the Pláka district, the Acropolis and the Museum of Greek Folk Art. The Theatre of Dionysus and Anafiótika are also just a few minutes’ walk away.
How much does a ticket to the Olympiad cost?
Tickets for the Olympiad can be purchased at the temple entrance. It costs €6 per adult and €3 for concessions. If you’re a European resident under 25, the good news is that it’s free!
The « Combined Acropolis Ticket », the details of which are given later in this article, costs €30.
How do I book a ticket for the Olympiad online?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – poludziber
One-way tickets for the Temple of Zeus are not available online. However, theAthens City Pass, for example, allows you to visit the Olympiion and can be purchased online.
Are there guided tours of the Olympiion?
Audio-guided tours can be downloaded to smartphones. They allow you to discover the building interactively.
Are there combined tours with other monuments in Athens?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – anyaivanova
You can combine your ticket for the Olympiad with other tourist attractions using the Athens City Pass. This ticket also includes a visit to the Parthenon, the Acropolis, the city of Athens, numerous museums, a bus tour and many other surprises!
The price varies according to age and duration, and rates are highly degressive. For an adult over 25, for example, a card valid for one day costs €59.90. For two days, the price rises to €66.90, and for four days to €74.90. Children and 18-25 year-olds are much cheaper.
For €30, you can also purchase a « combined ticket to the Acropolis ». This allows you to visit the Acropolis, the Olympiion, the Athens Agora, the Kerameikos Archaeological Museum and Hadrian’s Library. The Lykeion site is also included. Not bad for a complete and enriching visit, eh?
Opening hours
Visits to the Olympiion are possible from 08:00 to 19:00 between April and October. Between November and March, the site closes its doors (well, its columns) at 3:30 pm. The site remains closed on January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday and December 25 and 26.
How do I get to the Olympiad?
The Olympiion is located near the Pláka district: just below the Acropolis and close to the beautiful National Garden. To visit the Olympiion, take bus routes N°1, 5, 15, 40 and 230.
Line 2 of the metro also stops at the Acropolis: at the exit, cross Avenue Syggrou and you’ll see the temple columns. Allow ten minutes to reach them at a moderate pace!
You should also know that the (very touristy) site also has a cab rank. However, to make the most of your visit, we advise you to get there on foot… and to avoid the hottest hours of the day in summer!
Where can I park near the Olympia?
Let’s face it, Athenian traffic is just like the city itself: Mediterranean, with a strong character! The local driving style may disconcert travelers accustomed to orderly, policed traffic!
If you’re looking for a place to park, you’ll find very few spaces available on the street: choose one with white markings (blue spaces are for residents, yellow spaces are forbidden).
If you spot one, put on your warnings, not your blinker as in France. There are plenty of covered parking lots in the area, costing €4 for three hours and €7 for a full day.
Where to stay near the Olympiad?
Athens is the Greek capital and offers a wide variety of accommodation options. The Pláka area is undoubtedly the best choice for staying close to the sights of Athens!
You’ll find more or less authentic and expensive hotels, and you can use a hotel comparator to help you find the best deals.
You can also book a stylish apartment on a private rental platform such as Airbnb. Our advice? Psyrí, a district that has remained authentic, and without doubt one of the most beautiful in the city. It’s the best place to immerse yourself in the heart of the city. When are you arriving?