General Information About Olympia

Olympia is an archaeological site in Greece located in the peripheral unit of Elis, in the western part of the Peloponnese peninsula.

In ancient times, this site functioned as a religious and sports center, since the Olympic games began to take place there, which were oriented to pay tribute to Zeus and Apollo, gods of ancient polytheistic Greece.

Geographically, Olympia stands out for being located at the foot of Mount Cronio, named after Cronos (father of Zeus), and being located on the right side of the Alfeo river. In addition, it has a beautiful waterfall and several streams that come from the Erymanthos River.

This destination is one of the most chosen in Greece due to its deep historical value, as it preserves the ruins of the temple of Zeus and elements used in sports practices that have contributed a lot to what is known about the ancient Greeks.

Olympia: The Story of the City of the Gods

The site where Olympia was built was considered a sacred valley by the prehistoric Greeks, for this reason they chose this place to build a temple dedicated to Zeus for religious, cultural and sporting purposes.

However, although the constructions began during the archaic period, archaeological pieces dating from the classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods were found in the place, which indicates that interest in Olympia was sustained for long periods. In fact, its relevance was such that a 12-meter-high statue of Zeus was built, which was considered one of the wonders of antiquity.

How Is the Culture in Olympia

Traditional Food and Drink of Olympia

Olympia is a great destination for lovers of culinary art, as its typical Greek cuisine will not disappoint you.

A dish that we recommend you try if you visit Olimpia is Fasolada, a soup made from beans and vegetables with olive oil and sea salt.

 Also, we suggest you order Gyros in a restaurant, a recipe in which lamb or pork is marinated for 12 hours with lemon juice, spices and vegetables and then roasted over low heat to later place it in a pita bread tortilla, along with a salad.

And something to highlight about this city is that it is an area of ​​vineyards, so if you want to try a traditional drink, ask for a local wine to accompany your dish and toast Dionysus, the Greek God whose privileged sphere of action was wine, parties and sensory pleasures.

As for the dessert, you cannot stop trying the Greek yogurt with honey and fruit; you will love this combination, as it is a simple recipe that bets on the quality of its raw materials. In addition, the area has its own apiaries, so if the honey is local, much better.

Archaia Olympia

The Archaia Olympia is about the constructions that still prevail and those that have been left in ruins of this center dedicated to Zeus. You can explore it on foot and enjoy the landscape at the same time, since it is outdoors.

In addition, within this surprisingly large property, you can see the columns that belonged to the Palestra. This was an ancient Greek wrestling school, where athletes who would compete in the Olympics used to be prepared, which were held, as they are now, every four years.

The Archaeological Significance of Olympia

The archaeological pieces found in Olympia were an incredible find for the community of historians, archaeologists, and scholars of ancient Greece, since several of the pieces contributed unique value to the reconstruction of the history and worldview of the ancient Greeks.

Even the discovered bronze pieces correspond to the archaic period and are the oldest found.

The cause of this important center being in ruins today is mainly due to natural causes, such as earthquakes and floods that occurred in the area.

In 1776 Olympia was rediscovered and in 1989 this impressive archaeological site was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

What to Give if You Travel to Olympia

This important archaeological center was the cradle of the Olympic Games. For this reason, although today the games are no longer held here, the tradition of lighting the torch is still maintained as an opening ceremony for these sports for sacred purposes.

For this reason, if you travel to Olympia you will find shops specializing in gift items, lots of objects with designs inspired by the Olympics, from stickers, t-shirts, decorative items, to posters and the most original items.

Some Olympia Attractions

Some of the most outstanding points of interest in Olympia are: the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Olympic Games.

The first presents one of the most important collections of pieces that correspond to both the archaic era and the classical Hellenistic and Roman periods. The second, although it is smaller, is very well organized and contains all the explanations to learn about the history behind the Olympic Games, making it very dynamic.

Also, for those who enjoy walks more connected with nature, you will find several outdoor activities in Olympia, such as touring the Arcadia, practicing yoga at the foot of Mount Cronio or rafting on the Alfeo River.

Another wonderful proposal is to visit the Nemouta waterfalls, a true natural paradise that will leave you amazed.

What to See and Do in Olympia

Olympia stands out for its archaeological value and a landscape that corresponds to a true paradise on Earth. For this reason it is one of the most famous destinations in Greece.

In turn, given its proximity to Athens, Mykonos, Delphi, Meteora and Santorini, many tourists choose to combine their visit to Olympia with these incredible destinations.

Are you looking to see the ruins of this impressive temple dedicated to Zeus? Do you want to walk the arena and feel like an ancient Greek warrior? Do you want to know the Nemouta waterfalls in "the valley of the Gods"?

If the answer is "yes", in Greca we have several proposals for tourist packages to Olympia, which you can modify and adapt according to your needs and times.

There are travel packages for all tastes. Choose your own adventure according to your needs!