Embark on a private day tour from Athens to Ancient Olympia, the legendary home of the Olympian Games. Uncover the essence of the Games and explore the important archaeological site.
Embark on a private day tour from Athens to Ancient Olympia, the legendary home of the Olympian Games. Uncover the essence of the Games and explore the important archaeological site.
- Corinth Canal - The Corinth Canal links the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It traverses the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, effectively separating the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, potentially classifying the peninsula as an island. The canal, dug at sea level, lacks locks and spans 6.4 kilometers (4…
- Corinth Canal - The Corinth Canal links the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It traverses the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, effectively separating the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, potentially classifying the peninsula as an island. The canal, dug at sea level, lacks locks and spans 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) in length and 21.4 meters (70 feet) in width at its base, rendering it inaccessible to many modern vessels. From above, one can enjoy a stunning view of Corinth’s isthmus and admire the steep limestone walls while observing the ships below navigating through the canal.
- Olympia - Olympia was a revered site that drew worshippers from across the ancient world. Beginning in the 8th century BC, the religious festivities at Olympia became linked with the Sacred Olympic Truce, respected throughout the Greek world following an agreement between the Spartan Lykourgos and the King of Elis, Iphitos. By the 5th century BC, Olympia had become a hub for the exchange of ideas, attracting numerous thinkers and influential figures who shared and disseminated their knowledge and concepts.
- Archaeological Site of Olympia - The archaeological site housed over 70 significant structures, with many ruins still visible today. Of particular interest to Greeks throughout history is the Pelopion, the tomb of the semi-mythical king, ancestor of the Atreids, the two kings who led their realms to war against Troy. The Peloponnesus is named after Pelops, and the tomb suggests he may not have been entirely mythical.
- Temple of Zeus - The Temple of Zeus at Olympia was an ancient Greek temple dedicated to the god Zeus. Constructed in the second quarter of the fifth century BC, it served as the archetype of the fully developed classical Greek temple of the Doric order.
- Stadium at Olympia - The stadium at the archaeological site of Olympia, Greece, is situated to the east of the sanctuary of Zeus. It hosted many of the athletic events during the Ancient Olympic Games.
- Temple of Hera - The Temple of Hera, or Heraion, is an ancient Archaic Greek temple dedicated to Hera, queen of the Greek gods. It was the oldest temple at Olympia and one of the most esteemed in all of Greece. Initially a joint temple for Hera and Zeus, a separate temple was later constructed for him. The Olympic flame is lit at the altar of this temple, oriented east-west, and carried worldwide. The torch of the Olympic flame is still ignited in its ruins today. The temple was built around 590 BC but was destroyed by an earthquake in the early 4th century CE.
- Archaeological Site of Olympia - The Nymphaeum, “home of the Nymphs” or water goddesses, was the official name of a water-distribution structure built in the mid-2nd century at the site to supply water to the masses attending the Olympic Games in July and August. Nymphaeum was a common name throughout the Mediterranean for an ornate structure that terminated an aqueduct bringing water from distant elevated terrain, such as a stream or abundant springs. This one featured substructures, statues, and ornately patterned stonework; its primary purpose, however, was functional. It received water from the aqueduct into a cistern and released it in stages into a system of open and closed channels around the site. The end user of the water carried a secular patera, or small drinking bowl, dipping into an open trough for water, as suggested by the fact that at least some of the statues held such paterae in one hand. Troughs extended throughout the site to accommodate the crowds.
- Palaestra - The palaestra is the area in ancient Olympia where “pali” (“wrestling”) was taught and practiced for training purposes, i.e., “wrestling-school.” Two other martial arts were taught there: Greek πυγμή (pygme), Latin pugnus, “fist, boxing,” and Greek παγκράτιον, Latin pancration or pancratium, “any method,” which was free-style, or hand-to-hand, including grappling, kicking, punching, or any unarmed method, no holds barred. The latter was sometimes deadly or disfiguring (with permission), indicating that the arts were ephebic, or “soldier” training for prospective citizens of the city-state sponsoring the school, such as Elis, but here combined with prospective candidacy for competition in the games. Nevertheless, none of the games were conducted without rules, umpires, and judges, who did not hesitate to stop contests, fine contenders, or bar flagrant violators.
- Philippeion - The Philippeion in the Altis of Olympia was an Ionic circular memorial in limestone and marble, a tholos, which housed chryselephantine (ivory and gold) statues of Philip’s family: himself, Alexander the Great, Olympias, Amyntas III, and Eurydice I. Created by the Athenian sculptor Leochares to celebrate Philip’s victory at the Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC), it was the only structure inside the Altis dedicated to a human. The temple featured an outer colonnade of Ionic order with 18 columns. Inside, it had nine engaged columns of the lavishly designed Corinthian order. It had a diameter of 15 meters. The naos contained two windows, similar to Hera II at Paestum. It had a carved marble roof adorned with a bronze poppy head on top.
- Archaeological Museum of Olympia - The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is one of Greece’s principal museums, located in Olympia. It is managed by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and, as of 2009, is directed by Georgia Chatzi. When the original building was completed and opened in 1882, it was the first museum in Greece outside of Athens. The museum houses discoveries from the surrounding area, including the site of the Ancient Olympic Games. The collection includes objects produced and used in the area from prehistory to its time under Roman rule. The principal pieces in the museum are Hermes and the Infant Dionysus (attributed to Praxiteles), some objects from the Temple of Zeus, the Nike of Paionios, as well as an oenochoe that belonged to Phidias. The extent of its bronze collection makes it one of the most important in the world.
- Museum of the Olympic Games - The ancient Olympic Games were a series of athletic competitions among representatives of city-states and one of the Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. They were held in honor of Zeus, and the Greeks attributed them with a mythological origin. The first Olympic Games are traditionally dated to 776 BC. The games were held every four years, or Olympiad, which became a unit of time in historical chronologies. They continued to be celebrated when Greece came under Roman rule in the 2nd century BC. Their last recorded celebration was in AD 393, under Emperor Theodosius I, but archaeological evidence suggests that some games were still held after this date. The games likely ended under Theodosius II, possibly in connection with a fire that destroyed the temple of the Olympian Zeus during his reign.
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
- Lunch (With Greek Traditional Food option)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Hotel/ airport/ port pickup and drop-off
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
- Lunch (With Greek Traditional Food option)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Hotel/ airport/ port pickup and drop-off
- Licensed tour guide (upon request and depending on availability)
- Entry or admission fees for archaeological sites
- Gratuities
- Licensed tour guide (upon request and depending on availability)
- Entry or admission fees for archaeological sites
- Gratuities
Ancient Olympia, the venue that hosted the age-old Olympiads, a tribute to the Olympian Gods, serves as a significant among the world’s key archaeological spots. It’s the central celebration site in olden Greece that attracts countless tourists worldwide, who delve into the authentic spirit and objective of the Games, aimed at drawing out the…
Ancient Olympia, the venue that hosted the age-old Olympiads, a tribute to the Olympian Gods, serves as a significant among the world’s key archaeological spots. It’s the central celebration site in olden Greece that attracts countless tourists worldwide, who delve into the authentic spirit and objective of the Games, aimed at drawing out the participants’ finest abilities.
Nested within the grand temple paying homage to Zeus, lays the renowned gold and ivory statue of the deity. It’s a masterpiece of the artist Phidias, clinching a spot among the seven wonders of the ancient world. Since the 9th century BC, Olympia has been a hallowed location drawing devotees from diverse areas of the ancient world. From the 8th century BC, Olympia’s festivities became synonymous with the Sacred Olympic Truce, respected across the Greek region. By the 5th century BC, Olympia transformed into a hub of idea-sharing, attracting scores of intellectuals to engage in intellectual exchanges.
- Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
- Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.