Private tour of Ancient Olympia and Archaeological Museum

Phidias' workshop, ancient stadium, and millennia-old sculptures tour

A private guided tour of Ancient Olympia's archaeological site and museum, led by a licensed English or French-speaking guide. You'll walk through the gymnasium, palaestra, temples of Zeus and Hera, and the workshop of Phidias, then view the museum's collection of bronze offerings, armor, vases, and classical statues from the temple pediments. The tour lasts about two and a half hours and is designed for hotel guests in the area. Cruise passengers should confirm availability in advance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ancient Olympia1h 30m
2. Archaeological Museum of Olympia1h

Visit Olympia archaeological site and museum

• Explore gymnasium and palaestra
• See Philipeion and Phidias workshop
• Visit temples of Zeus and Hera
• View Olympic torch altar and stadium
• Tour Archaeological Museum exhibits

The experience

Ancient Olympia spreads across two main stops: the archaeological site itself and the museum housing everything excavated from it. On the site, you'll see the gymnasium and palaestra where athletes trained, the round Philipeion, and the workshop where Phidias built the gold and ivory statue of Zeus: one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temples of Zeus and Hera still stand in partial form, and you'll visit the altar where the Olympic torch is lit during the modern Games. The ancient Olympic stadium is there too, the track where competitors raced over two thousand years ago.

The Archaeological Museum holds the physical record of what was found: bronze and clay tripods and figurines left as offerings, armor and vases, tools from Phidias's workshop, and the Hermes by Praxiteles. A marble sculpture so well preserved it seems to have been carved yesterday. The Nike by Paeonios and the classical statues from the temple of Zeus pediments fill the galleries, each one a piece of how the Greeks saw their gods and heroes. Your guide walks you through both spaces, connecting what you see in the ruins to what's displayed inside.

A licensed guide in English or French leads the tour, which runs about two and a half hours. The arrangement is private, so the pace and focus stay with your group. This tour is built for people staying at hotels in the area. If you're arriving by cruise ship, check availability before booking.

What’s included

• Licensed tour guide services in English or French.
• entrance tickets to the archaeological site and museum are available as an add-on option at checkout.
• private transportation can be arranged separately depending on which option you select.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day18 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:30

Book up to1d before

AgesUp to 90 years

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 20

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Niki Olympic Tours

Is this one for you?Book the private tour if you want a guide who can linger on the details (the workshop tools, the pediment sculptures, the stadium itself) without moving at a group pace. The licensed guide in English or French means you're not reading plaques. You're hearing the connections between the ruins and the museum pieces as you move between them.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

What exactly is the workshop of Phidias I'll see at Ancient Olympia?

The workshop of Phidias is the actual site where the sculptor created the gold and ivory statue of Zeus, one of the ancient world's most famous works. You'll see the remains of the building itself at the archaeological site, and the museum displays the tools and a cup that were found there, giving you a tangible connection to how the statue was made.

Are the temples of Zeus and Hera still standing, or just ruins?

Both temples remain as partial ruins: enough to walk among and understand their scale and layout. The temple of Zeus is particularly notable because its pediments held the classical statues now displayed in the museum, so seeing both the site and the sculptures together tells the full story.

How long does the tour take and what's included?

The tour runs about two and a half hours and includes a licensed guide in English or French who leads you through both the archaeological site and the museum. Entrance tickets to the site and museum are available as an add-on at checkout. Transportation can also be arranged separately depending on which option you choose.

Is this tour accessible if I have mobility concerns?

The site and museum are wheelchair accessible, and the tour accommodates travelers with moderate physical fitness. Strollers and prams are welcome for infants and small children, and service animals are allowed.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying on a cruise ship?

The tour is primarily designed for hotel guests in the Olympia area, but cruise passengers can book subject to availability. It's best to confirm your departure time and port schedule when you reserve, so the guide can plan the timing around your ship.