OLYMPIA FAQ`S
Olympia is 193 miles W of Athens; 55 miles S of
Patras; 13 miles E of Pirgos:
Olympia is easily accessible from other areas of
interest of Greece. It is less than 4 hours away from Athens and only 1
hour from Patras port, or Kalamata airport. There are numerous daily buses and
trains that connect Athens to Olympia. Another option for getting to Olympia
from Athens is to take one of the many sightseeing tours available out of
Athens.
The town of Olympia, although geared for tourists, is a decent
size and not too tacky. There are plenty of hotels and guest houses if you need
to stay for a night or two.
Olympia is a sanctuary of ancient Greece in
Elis on the Peloponnese peninsula and is known for having been the
site of the Olympic Games in classical times.
The
Ruins are located just over a river spanning bridge about a ten minute
walk from the train station. Just inside the gate you`ll see a
small museum. Combo tickets for both the site and the museum are available.
Visitors have a number of options for getting around while
visiting Olympia, Greece which includes by car, bus, train or taxi. However,
most of these options for transportation are best found in Athens, or Pyrgos (a
neighboring town to Olympia).
A personal vehicle is the most convenient form of transportation
available for exploring Olympia, as it allows the greatest freedom and
flexibility in travel. Although Olympia is a major stop on many tours
around Greece, and there are numerous public transportation options for getting
there, a car is the easiest way of getting around. Many visitors will fly
into the Athens International Airport, which is located about 13 miles east
of the city center, stop by one of the numerous Car Rental Agencies based around the airport, and
drive five hours to Olympia. However, first time visitors to the country
should check out our Driving in Greece page before deciding to get behind the
wheel of a car.
There are numerous daily trains that connect Athens to Pyrgos (a
half hour away) and Patras, which are both found on the western side of
Peloponnesus. Olympia can be reached by train or bus from Pyrgos.
There is no public transportation system in the immediate area of Olympia, but
there are many ways of getting there.
There are several trains a day from Athens to Pyrgos, where you change to the train for Olympia. Information on schedules and fares is available from the Stathmos Peloponnisou (train station for the Peloponnese) in Athens (tel. 210/513-1601).
How do I get to Olympia by bus?
The bus from Athens to Olympia, leaves from Terminal A (100
Kiffissou Street (tel. 210 512-4910, 210 512-4911 or 210 513-2601). Terminal A
is about a mile from the center of Athens, and you can get there by taxi or
local bus. The journey to Olympia takes about 5 hours 30 minutes and goes via
Pyrgos where you have to change buses.
There are three buses a day to Olympia from the
Stathmos Leoforia Peloponnisou in Athens. There are also frequent buses from
Patras to Pyrgos, with connecting service to Olympia. In Patras, KTEL buses
leave from the intersection of Zaimi and Othonos. For general information for
Athens-Pelopnnese service visit www.ktelargolida.gr.
You can also travel to Olympia from the port
of Kyllini using KTEL buses.
Many
cruise ships call on the very small port of Katakolon and dock at its jetty,
from where it is a five minute walk to Katakolon town. Olympia is about 18
miles east of Katakolon. There are several options to get from Katakolon to
Olympia, including by pre-paid ship excursions, by tours, by taxi, or by rental
cars (Avis has its office opposite the port). Many transportation options can
be negotiated at the various vendors located next to the Katakolon pier.
-Katakolon
Express is a private bus service between Katakolon and Olympia
designed for cruisers. Must reserve online at least a week before your arrival.
Costs range from around €10 for the basic Olympia on your own to around €60 for
the Olympia Special Tour.
-Numerous
taxis appear whenever a cruise ship docks. Rates are negotiable, but typically
a quick one-hour visit is about €80 and a more realistic 2.5 - 3 hours visit is
about €100.
-Ionian Ferries runs
to Zakynthos (per adult/car about €7.50/€28.50, 1¼ hours, four daily in summer) and to
Poros (per adult/car about €8.80/€37.90, 1½ hours, one to two daily in summer)
on Kefallonia.
From Athens: There are
two routes from Athens. The easy route is via Patras (205 miles). Choose the
direction to Patras, then Pyrgos and Ancient Olympia. The harder but most
picturesque is via Vytina (189 miles). You will drive towards Tripolis after
Corinth, after the tunnel you will find the junction to Ancient Olympia,
through the mountains of Arkadia.
Olympia is located about 186 miles from Athens and whichever route you
choose to take, it will be an unforgettable journey. You travel across
Peloponnese, through forested mountains, olive groves, vineyards and orchards.
We recommend you stop at one of the beautiful, traditional villages to taste
the local delicacies. If you choose the seaside route, you will pass through
lovely villages built by the ocean. You should not miss the opportunity to the
see the majestic sandy beaches and the deep blue waters of the Corinthiakos and
Patraikos gulfs.
From Katakolon port: Katakolon situated 22 miles from Ancient
Olympia town, approximately 25 minutes drive.
Katakolon is a port-village on the south-western part of Greece
and it is located 22 miles west of Ancient Olympia. It is the gate by sea of
famous Ancient Olympia. Katakolon is the second most busy cruise port of
Greece, after Piraeus port, according to recent statistics.
Katakolon itself is a small fishing village, with few permanent
inhabitants (about 600), which has been developed the past few years. A lot of
shops have opened in order to serve cruise passengers coming into Katakolon, but the
main reason for visiting Katakolon is Ancient Olympia. Katakolon port is also a
starting point in order to discover the surrounding area such as Kourouta beach
resort, Mercouri winery, Kaifas beach and lake, Pyrgos capital city of the
region and other nearby beaches such as Agios Andreas, and Levendochori.
Kyllini
Port: Kyllini
is the gateway to mainland Greece for Zakynthos and Cephalonia. The once small
port has been developed in recent years to become a large and industrious link
between the Ionian Islands and mainland Greece. It is located 40 miles
northwest of Ancient Olympia.
Patras Port: The
port of Patras is one of the most modern ports in the Mediterranean, offering
modern port infrastructure, a modern cruise terminal, quality-integrated
hospitality services and hygiene and safety standards. It is located 70 miles
north of Ancient Olympia.
Kalamata Port: The
port of Kalamata is located at the NE head of Messiniakos Kolpos, in southern
Greece. It is located 70 miles south of Ancient Olympia.
EOT (Greek National Tourist Organization;
www.gnto.gr) for up to date tourist information.
Greek Travel
Pages (www.gtp.gr) Access to
ferry schedules and accommodation.
Greek Tourism Website (www.greeka.com) also
offers up to date tourist information.
Ministry of Culture (www.culture.gr) For cultural events and sights.
The modern town of Olympia is situated adjacent to the
ancient site and just a short walk away from the majority of archaeological
venues and points of interest. The town itself is divided in two by a long
pedestrian street which is considered as the center and commercial heart of the
town. Visitor can find typical Greek taverns, banks (open on weekdays
during morning hours), souvenir shops, a post office, a taxi station, several
cafes and a few bars.
Beware that prices are
high around the ruins themselves. Walk a little further away (to the modern town area) for a better deal. You`ll
also find that Katakolon has better food and slightly cheaper prices.
Olympia is a safe place to visit. Nevertheless, you should always take precautions when traveling, ie., keep your passport in your hotel safe if you can, don`t carry a great deal of cash, be vigilant about your own safety and beware of pickpockets. It is always recommended to avoid walking alone at night and in remote areas.
Can I pay/tip in US dollars?The currency in Greece is the euro (€). Once you`re in Greece you`ll have to use the euro in most places. It is recommended to exchange at least some money before you leave home so that you can avoid lines at airport ATMs.
I don`t speak Greek. Will many people speak English?Greek is the official language spoken in Olympia. Hotels, tourist attractions and restaurants in popular areas generally have staff that speaks some English. The Greeks will be more friendly and eager to help if you try to speak some Greek. Just a couple of words are fine, they love it when they hear a stranger speaking their language. On the street, many people (especially young people) speak at least basic English. If you head off the beaten track then it`s a good idea to brush up on your Greek! We suggest you get a good English-Greek guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
What is the weather like? When is the best time to visit?
The climate across
the Peloponnese peninsula (including Olympia) is Mediterranean, which means
that the summers are generally dry and hot, while the winters experience mild
temperatures with wet weather. Although Olympia can be visited throughout
the year, certain months can be much more comfortable to visit than
others.
On average, the hottest months of the year are July and
August, during which time the daily high temperatures will generally hover in
the mid to upper 80`s, with 90-degree days being fairly common. The nighttime
temperatures during these months will generally drop to the mid to upper 60`s.
The summer months are not only the hottest of the year, but are also the most
crowded, as the time between June through August is considered the high-tourist
season.
The coldest months of the year on average are January and
February, during which time the daily high temperatures will reach the upper 40`s
and lower 50`s. The nighttime temperatures during these months will
generally drop to the mid to lower 30`s, with freezing temperatures being
reached at times.
The rainiest months of the year are between September and March,
during which time there is a chance for rain on most days.
There are a number of sites and museums located in Olympia. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, the Archaeological Site itself, the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity and the Museum of the History of Excavations in Olympia. Tickets are about €12 (€6 for children) and covers your entry to all sites.
What are the dining options?Villages around Olympia boast some excellent tavernas, so prepare to stretch your visit beyond the site of Ancient Olympia alone.
What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?
Emergencies:
Dial 112.
-100 - Police
-Tourist Police (+30) 2310554874
-166 - Ambulance
-Health Center:
+30 2624022222