Ready to run in the footsteps of the original Olympians? Wondering why the original games happened here? If you want unique Greek history that has become world history, you don’t want to miss a trip to Ancient Olympia! Here is what you need to know to plan your day trip. We visited from Kalamata, but much of the information applies no matter where you start your journey. This is your guide to Ancient Olympia in Greece!

Getting There

I’ll give it to you straight: Ancient Olympia is not close to any major cities or other attractions, and it’s not easy to get to! There are accommodations in the present day town of Olympia, next to Ancient Olympia, as well as some shops and restaurants that are really only there to support the tourism.

• If you make this a day trip from Athens, the car ride will be about 3.5 hours, each way, which will make for an exceptionally long day.
• Patras, on the top of the Peloponnese Peninsula, is about 1 hour and 45 minutes each way.
• We chose to bas ourselves in Kalamata, which was also about 1 hour and 45 minutes each way.
• Another option, if you happen to be sailing along the Peloponnese Peninsula, you could arrange to dock at Katakolo Port and hire a driver for the 30 minute drive each way. This adds a bit of complexity, but it could be the most pleasant way to visit if you’re not up for a long car ride!

If you choose to stay in Kalamata: Everything You Need to Know about Staying at the Grand Hotel Kalamata

The Location

Ancient Olympia’s lack of proximity to anywhere else was actually intentional in ancient times. Greece is 80% covered by mountains, so finding a naturally flat area was the challenge. The site was also only used for the Olympics, which took place every fifth year, for only two days. (Very different from modern Olympic Games!) All the athletes who came here to prepare had to be fed and needed water, so having a water source nearby was important–and thanks to two nearby rivers, this was a prime location.

Fun fact: Mount Olympus is nowhere near here! Many first-time visitors are surprised to learn this, but Mount Olympus is in the north of Greece, on mainland Greece. Ancient Olympia is in the south, however, on the Peloponnese Peninsula. For reference, they are more than seven hours apart by car, and over 330 miles away from each other!

Read on: The Best European Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

The Museum

I know you’re excited to go explore the ruins, but I highly recommend popping into the museum first. It really gives you an idea of what you’ll be looking at, plus it’s full of impressive artifacts, many of them very large. I also recommend hiring a guide to meet you here (and continue with you to the ruins) because you’ll just get so much more out of your visit. Don’t miss the statue of Athena Nike, made of marble from the Greek island of Paros.

More here: The Best Foods You Need to Try in Greece

The Ruins

This is what you came for! I’ll be honest, the site is pretty well “ruined,” but you can definitely still see some impressive sites while you’re here. Very few things have actually been reconstructed or restored, but there is a lot to see throughout the site. We had an amazing guide who gave us the most incredible information about the sites, but most interestingly about the games and competitors themselves.

For instance, you may know that only men were allowed to compete in the Olympics (women competed in the Heraean games instead) and you may even know that they competed completely naked. But did you know it wasn’t all about physicality and athleticism? The athletes had to both train and study to compete in the games. They had to learn Greek, math, astronomy, philosophy, and music, all of which they could study onsite.

Keep reading: The Things You Need to Know Before You Travel to Greece

The Racetrack

This was fun for us! I actually met my husband at the Prague Marathon (he was running the marathon, not me!), so running has always been a theme in our life together. Steve was so excited to run the original Olympic track, partly because it was a cool thing to do, but also because it was chilly that day in January! The original runners would make the approximately 200-meter sprint, just one length of the track, and that was the only competition at first! If you won the run, you won the Olympics! Visitors can run on the same track today, just for fun!

You may notice that this track has no stands, and only one pedestal. The spectators would sit on the grass next to the track and watch from there. You may be slightly surprised to find out that all spectators at the Original Olympics were men, with one notable exception. The single pedestal you’ll see to the left after entering the track area was not for a winner, but for the goddess Demeter, the Ancient Greek goddess of the harvest.

More here: How to Have the Ultimate Morning Run at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens

Final Note

There is a small town adjacent to Ancient Olympia where you can have lunch, walk around, and do a little shopping. We decided to head back to Kalamata instead of exploring the town, but I want you to know that there are options nearby, in case that is what you prefer!

Want more? Get all the best info on my dedicated Greece Page!

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