Private Ancient Olympia tour with a pickup

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Ancient Olympia, located in the western Peloponnese, was a major religious and athletic center in ancient Greece. It was the site of the Olympic Games, first held in 776 BCE in honor of Zeus. The sanctuary included the massive Temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Temple of Hera. Every four years, athletes from across the Greek world gathered to compete, uniting the often-warring city-states in peaceful celebration. The games included running, wrestling, boxing, chariot races, and the pentathlon. Olympia also featured impressive sculptures, such as the statue of Zeus by Phidias. The site declined after the rise of Christianity and the banning of pagan festivals in the 4th century CE. Earthquakes and floods later buried the ruins, which were rediscovered in the 18th century. Today, Olympia remains a symbol of ancient Greek culture and the enduring legacy of the Olympic spirit.

   2 h

2. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, one of Greece's most important museums, was established in 1882 to house artifacts from the sanctuary of Ancient Olympia. The current building, completed in 1982, offers a modern and expanded space for the rich collection uncovered through excavations that began in the 19th century. The museum displays masterpieces of ancient Greek art and artifacts spanning from the prehistoric period to the Roman era. Highlights include the sculptures from the Temple of Zeus — especially the iconic statues of Apollo and the centaurs — and the statue of Hermes by Praxiteles, a masterpiece of Classical sculpture. The museum also exhibits tools, weapons, and offerings from the ancient Olympic Games, revealing both the religious and athletic significance of the site. With its carefully curated exhibits, the museum brings to life the history, art, and spiritual importance of Olympia, offering visitors a deep understanding of one of antiquity's most revered sanctuaries

   2 h

3. The Corinth Canal, connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf, was a dream of ancient rulers. Periander, tyrant of Corinth, first conceived the idea in the 7th century BCE, but technical difficulties halted the project. Instead, a paved road called the Diolkos was used to drag ships across the Isthmus. Later, Roman emperors like Nero attempted to dig the canal, but efforts failed. The modern canal was finally completed between 1881 and 1893 by Greek and French engineers. It is 6.4 km long and cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, saving ships a 700 km journey around the Peloponnese. Though too narrow for large modern vessels, it remains a vital passage for smaller ships and a popular tourist attraction. The Corinth Canal symbolizes both ancient ambition and modern engineering, uniting two seas and serving as a gateway between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese for over a century.

   30 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 2 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Athens

• Its from-price is 114% above the median of the 926 day trips we list in Athens.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 482 of 926.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Athens

Athens sets the Acropolis above a sprawling modern capital, where ancient ruins, hillside lanes and long taverna evenings sit side by side.

The Parthenon crowns the Acropolis, flanked by the Erechtheion and its porch of caryatids, and the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the hill displays sculpture found on the rock. Around it, the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch and the marble Panathenaic Stadium make the classical city easy to walk through.

Top-ranked sights in Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon, Acropolis Museum.

See all 4134 experiences in Athens