Olympia Full Day Tour

Ancient Olympia, the “valley of the gods” and birthplace of the Olympic Games, private excursion from Athens, enriched with a scenic stop at the Corinth Canal. This journey combines breathtaking landscapes with Greece’s most important ancient heritage. Travel in comfort as you cross the Peloponnese, stopping at the Corinth Canal before continuing through the countryside to Olympia. Explore the sacred Sanctuary of Zeus, the Temple of Zeus, the ancient stadium of the Olympic Games, the Gymnasium, and the Palaestra, where athletes trained in antiquity. Walk through the sacred Altis area and visit the world-renowned Archaeological Museum of Olympia, home to masterpieces such as the Hermes of Praxiteles and other priceless artifacts that bring Ancient Greece to life. Professional, certified English-speaking tour drivers, latest-model Mercedes fleet licensed for tourist use, exceptional client feedback worldwide, extensive network of licensed, experienced tour guides available upon request.

1. 1

   Corinth Canal

   20 min

   The half-day Ancient Corinth tour starts with a 45-mile drive along the National highway. We will reach the well-known Corinthian canal or else Isthmus canal that connects the Saronic Sea and the Corinthian Sea. The canal, though executed in the late 19th century, has been a 2000-year-old dream. Before its construction, ships in the Aegean Sea that wanted to cross to the Adriatic or anchor in Corinth, a rich shipping city, had to circle the Peloponnese, which would prolong their journey an extra 185 nautical miles. It is believed that Periander, the tyrant of Corinth (602 BC), was the first to conceive of the idea of digging the Corinth Canal. As the project was too complicated given the limited technical capabilities of the times, Periander constructed the diolkós, a stone road which allowed ships to be transferred on wheeled platforms. On 67 AD that Emperor Nero attempted the construction of the canal with a group of 6,000 slaves. But he was murdered before the plans were finalized. Finally, the construction of the canal came to an end at the last decade of the 19th century.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours

   Olympia is well known for the Olympic Games, held every four years to honor God Zeus, beginning in 776 B.C. At Olympia we will visit the Temple of Zeus, where the gold and ivory statue of god Zeus stood, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic Flame lights every four years, the workshop of Phidias, the ancient Olympic stadium and the Archaeological Museum.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.