Ancient Olympia is one of those destinations that even if you are not a history buff, enchants you with its energy. It is a journey into history, culture and the roots of the Olympic Games.
It was one of the places I had always wanted to visit, but had never had the chance, even though it is quite close to our city and is one of the best options for a day trip from Patras.
Finally, my family and I decided to organize a day trip to Ancient Olympia with friends.
Following the Patras-Pyrgos National Road, we passed through areas with rich vegetation and picturesque villages. We made a stop in Pyrgos, the capital of the prefecture of Ilia, doing a little exploration of the city. Continuing towards Ancient Olympia, we encountered the Alpheus River, which adds a lot to the natural beauty of the area. It is also the most important river in the Peloponnese.
Arriving in Ancient Olympia, we visited the archaeological site, where the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the ancient stadium and the Archaeological Museum are located, which hosts important exhibits of antiquity with great masterpieces from the long history of the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
The truth is that when I was there, I did not expect it to captivate me so much, but from the moment I set foot in the archaeological site, I felt like I was traveling back in time. The feeling you get when you are there is indescribable.
Walking among the ruins, you can imagine athletes of antiquity preparing for the Olympic Games. The Stadium, where the games were held, is impressive in its simplicity. It certainly does not have the luxuries of a modern stadium, but the fact that you can stand at the same starting point where the ancient Greek athletes competed is in itself shocking. We suggested to the children that they run a symbolic route in the stadium and they were thrilled with the idea! Most likely, you will meet several visitors, doing the same.
One of the most interesting points of our visit was the Temple of Zeus. The famous gold and ivory statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once stood there. If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine it dominating the space. Next to it is the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic Flame is still lit today.
Then, we visited the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. Among the exhibits, the Victory of Paeonios and the Hermes of Praxiteles were the ones that caught our attention the most. The detail and harmony of the sculptures made us realize how advanced the art of the ancient Greeks was.
Our excursion came to an end, arriving at a beautiful resort in the area, Katakolo, for food and coffee, as there are excellent options. We finished with a short walk to the marina at sunset and it was wonderful.
Practical information for your visit:
If you are planning to visit Ancient Olympia, I recommend arriving early in the morning, especially in the summer months, to avoid the heat. The archaeological site is quite large, so comfortable shoes and plenty of water would help.
If you find yourself there, give yourself some time to enjoy the magic of the place, as we did.
