Olympia Shore Excursion: Ancient Site, Honey & Olive Oil Tasting

The Olympic torch is still lit at the Temple of Hera, on the same ground where ancient athletes trained.

This semi-private half-day tour from Katakolon port takes you to Ancient Olympia, the archaeological site where the Olympic flame is lit before each Olympiad. A live guide leads you through the Temple of Hera, Temple of Zeus, ancient gymnasium and Olympic stadium, then the tour continues to a local honey farm and olive oil market for tastings and local delicacies. Port pickup and drop-off are included. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Olympia and local flavors

• Guided tour of Ancient Olympia
• Visit local olive oil market
• Meet beekeeper and taste honey
• Free time in Katakolon for shopping and lunch

The experience

Your ship docks at Katakolon, and you have a half-day to reach one of Greece's most significant archaeological sites without arranging your own transport. The tour picks you up at the port in an air-conditioned vehicle and drives you to Ancient Olympia, where an official tourist guide meets the group. The site itself is a UNESCO monument spread across an open-air park: the Temple of Hera (where the Olympic torch lighting ceremony takes place before each Olympiad), the Temple of Zeus (which once housed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, a gold and ivory statue), the ancient gymnasium and palestra where athletes trained, and the Olympic stadium itself, the largest ancient Greek stadium. The guide walks you through the grounds and explains what each structure was built for and how the ancient Games worked.

After the archaeological site, the tour takes you off the main path to a local honey farm, where you meet a beekeeper and sit under chestnut trees with coffee or juice and homemade sweets. The beekeeper shares stories about the work and the products. Then you visit a local indoor market with a section dedicated to regional goods (olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and other local delicacies), where you sample among the variety. Both stops are built around what the region actually produces and how local people work with it, not a staged performance. You're back at the port with time to spare before the ship leaves.

The tour operates as semi-private, meaning the group stays small. An official guide is included at the archaeological site. The vehicle has air conditioning and the driver handles the route. Port pickup and drop-off are part of the booking. The pace is built around a half-day window, so you see the major structures at Olympia without rushing, then move to the farm and market stops before heading back to the ship.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• live guide at the archaeological site.
• port pickup and drop-off.
• olive oil and local product sampling at the market.
• coffee, juice and homemade sweets at the honey farm.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in EnglishNo fixed time

Guide in EnglishNo fixed time

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for heart conditions

Operated by The Travel Insiders

Is this one for you?Book this if your ship gives you a half-day in port: the fixed schedule gets you back on time, and you can add a guided tour of the Olympic grounds or explore independently after drop-off.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is at the Ancient Olympia archaeological site?

Ancient Olympia holds the Temple of Hera (where the Olympic torch is lit before each Olympiad), the Temple of Zeus (which once held a gold and ivory statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), the ancient gymnasium and palestra where athletes trained, and the Olympic stadium, the largest ancient Greek stadium. The site is a UNESCO monument spread across an open-air park, and you walk the grounds with an official guide.

Do I need to arrange my own way from the port to Olympia?

No. Port pickup and drop-off at Katakolon are included in the tour. An air-conditioned vehicle collects you at the port and returns you there at the end of the half-day.

What happens at the honey farm and olive oil market?

At the honey farm, you meet a local beekeeper, sit under chestnut trees, and taste homemade sweets and honey products with coffee or juice while the beekeeper shares stories about the work. At the indoor market, you sample among olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and other regional delicacies from the local producers.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs 4 to 5 hours total, including the guided walk at Ancient Olympia, the honey farm visit, the olive oil market stop, and transport to and from the port.

Is there a guide at the archaeological site?

Yes. An official tourist guide in English leads the tour through Ancient Olympia, explaining the temples, stadium, gymnasium and other structures and their role in the ancient Games.