Private Tour
Ancient Olympia full day private tour from Athens
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
The land that was host to the ancient Olympiads, the games that were held to honor the Olympian Gods, the chief festivities in ancient Greece, Ancient Olympia is home to one of the world’s most important archaeological sites. Thousands of visitors that arrive here from across the globe are able to uncover the true essence of the Games, whose goal and purpose was to bring out the best in each competitor.
At the heart of the site and within the magnificent temple dedicated to Zeus, was the famed gold and ivory statue of the god, a work of the sculptor Phidias and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. From the 9th century BC, Olympia was a sacred place that attracted worshipers from around the ancient world. Starting from the 8th century BC, the celebrations at Olympia became associated with the Sacred Olympic Truce, honored throughout the Greek world. In the 5th century BC, Olympia became a place where ideas were spread, with dozens of thinkers coming here to exchange ideas.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
WiFi on board
Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
Lunch (With Greek Traditional Food option)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel/ airport/ port pickup and drop-off
Licensed tour guide
Entry or admission fees for archaeological sites
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Corinth Canal
The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for many modern ships. From high up, you can enjoy the best view of Corinth's isthmus and admire the steep limestone walls while you observe the vessels below you navigate their way through the canal.
Olympia
Olympia was a sacred place that attracted worshipers from around the ancient world. Starting from the 8th century BC, the religious celebrations at Olympia became associated with the Sacred Olympic Truce, honored throughout the Greek world following an agreement between the Spartan Lykourgos and the King of Elis, Iphitos. In the 5th century BC, Olympia became a place where ideas were spread, with dozens of thinkers and influential individuals coming here to exchange and pass on their knowledge and ideas.
Options
Without food
Pickup included
With Greek Traditional Food
Lunch: Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine and traditional foods.
Pickup included
Reviews
81 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We had a great trip with...
Douglas F,
May 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a great trip with Nick as our guide! The drive is long but worth it. He was a safe driver and very knowledgeable. The food after was tasty. The site was neat!
Relaxed, Personalized, and Memorable! The Perfect Way to Explore—Highly Recommend!
AmaleaK V,
Apr 8, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had an incredible experience on this private tour! Having our own vehicle made the day feel relaxed and personalized—we could go at our own pace without ever feeling rushed. Our driver was extremely knowledgeable and offered great suggestions throughout the journey, which really enhanced the trip. It was a truly memorable day!
This is mostly just...
Kari M,
Dec 8, 2024
- Viator
4.00This is mostly just transportation to and from Olympia, which we knew before we booked, so it was what we expected. Our driver stopped at the Corinth Canal on the way, which was very interesting. Once in Olympia, we had plenty of time to explore the archaeological site and museum and have lunch on our own in town. We did have some trouble contacting our driver after we toured the area and were a little afraid we wouldn't find him again, but it all worked out!
Fun day at Olympia
Erica F,
Oct 11, 2024
- Viator
5.00So grateful for our amazing driver, Greg. He was very friendly and knowledgeable about the areas we drove through. He went above and beyond and gave us ponchos since there was a chance of rain. This isn’t a guided tour so you are paying for the drive there and back and lunch, but it was well worth it to not have to deal with the traffic and just enjoy the experience.
Olympia
JOHN F,
Sep 11, 2024
- Viator
3.00Drive was longer than expected..I will not comment on the rest of the trip as it was uneventful for the price paid.
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