Magpie
5.0(8 reviews)

Ancient Olympia Private Day Tour from Athens

From€325
12 hours
Athens, Greece

About this activity

Experience the rich history of Ancient Olympia on a private day tour from Athens, including guided visits to the archaeological site and museum.

Highlights

  • Explore the ancient Olympic Stadium
  • Discover the Temple of Zeus ruins
  • Visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia
  • Learn about ancient Greek history
  • Enjoy scenic drive through the Greek countryside

Full description

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the birthplace of the Olympic Games with a private day tour from Athens to Ancient Olympia. Your journey begins with a comfortable drive through the picturesque Greek countryside, offering glimpses of traditional villages and stunning landscapes. Upon arrival, a knowledgeable guide will lead you through the ancient Olympic Stadium, where athletes once competed for glory. Explore the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, marvel at the intricate sculptures, and delve into the history of the ancient Olympic Games. The tour also includes a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, housing artifacts that bring the ancient world to life. This excursion offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty, making it an unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts and travelers alike.

Included / Excluded

  • Private transportation from Athens to Olympia
  • Guided tour of Ancient Olympia archaeological site
  • Visit to the Archaeological Museum of Olympia
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

Begining with a drive along the coast, you will get the chance to see some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis. Salamis is where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians. Our first stop of the day, the Corinth Canal. Eventually opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese from the rest of Greece all the while connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. Having time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge and admire the canal closer, you may go bungee jumping on some days (if you’re game).

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

We will visit the archaeological site and the museum of Ancient Olympia. This is one of the largest sites in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. Walking through the site you will pass by the Gymnasium, the Palaistra, the workshop of Phidias, the Temple of Zeus and you will end up at the Stadium where for every four years the Greeks competed for glory and for spiritual elevation honoring their cities.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: NO
3

The museum is also quite unique as it includes the renowned statue “Hermes of Praxiteles” with its perfect analogies and tools that belonged to Phidias himself. With the tools he created one of the seven wonders of the world “the gold ivory statue of Zeus”.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NO
4

The Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games hosts 463 ancient works, from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, and other museums in the Greek territory. The exhibits cover a wide chronological range, from the 2nd millennium BC until the 5th century AD. Ancient exposed in thematic units and through them yperchilietis shows the history of the Olympic games, the longest ancient institution. Apart from ancient art, the visitor has the possibility of detailed information through the rich visual material. After a walking in the footsteps of ancient athletes we will take our lunch at the village.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NO
5

Pass by: We will drive back to Athens.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Important information

Know before you book

  • This is a private tour; the price is per group, not per person.
  • The tour is conducted in English; please ensure you understand the language.
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
  • Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect against the sun.
  • Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Stroller Accessible
  • Infant Seats Available

Good to know

  • The drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside any site or museum. If you require a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally. If you have any questions you can contact us on the phone number provided by Viator.
  • The duration of the tours is approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions.

Traveler reviews

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8 reviews
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Ancient Olympia

This was wonderful! John was such a wonderful guide for us. He was so knowledgeable about everything, happy to answer all our questions, and just really helped to make our experience so memorable. THANK YOU!!!

L1077WWjanewMay 18, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Exactly the experience we wanted

We went to so many places. It was an ideal day for us. We only had one full day in Athens. We feel like we saw everything we wanted to see. Talis was a great driver and told us about everything. He was very good. Would highly recommend him. Lunch was really good. All in all it was a perfect day.

Voyage51530296756Jun 8, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Awesome experience with Alexander. He made this tour exciting for the family.

Alexander was incredible. Highly recommend. Very passionate about the history of Greece. Very humble and polite. Very pleasant and polite.

V7275MGsandrabMay 17, 2025TRIPADVISOR

First time visitors from US

Stephanos MALATOS was a great guide- he briefed us on the various sites just prior to entering and oriented us on where we entered and where we would exit. He gave us enough time to explore on our own and kept in touch via what’s app. The lunch was wonderful and he picked us up and dropped us off at the hotel. Very knowledgeable and very personable.

leighbH949UWApr 30, 2024TRIPADVISOR

Great time in Olympia

The 6 of us- grandparents, parents, kids- all enjoyed the trip. Anthony shared his knowledge and the drive was interesting. We had a great day!

MichelleHawaii2013Mar 25, 2024TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

The drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside any site or museum. If you require a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally. If you have any questions you can contact us on the phone number provided by Viator. The duration of the tours is approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions.
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