About Olympia Archaeological Museum

More often than not, almost all tourists to the town of Olympia are drawn to the birthplace of the Olympic Games. What better way to understand a site better than to visit a museum dedicated to its treasures, finds, and history. Visitors to the museum are encouraged to visit the archaeological site as well to get a holistic understanding of the time.

The artifacts and exhibits on display take one back to the ancient Olympia sanctuary. They are very well preserved and sophisticated in nature and design. Some of the exhibits on display include ceramics and votive offerings made to Hera and Zeus. A place of honor in the main hall is given to the highlight of the museum. There are reassembled metopes and pediments from the temple of Zeus. An entire room has been dedicated to the fine display of a 4th Century Parian marble statue carved by Praxiteles. The statue is of Hermes carrying baby Dionysus.

Built-in 1882, this was the first museum in Greece, to have been constructed outside Athens. Today, it is considered to be one of the main museums in the country.

Must See

  • The collection of bronzes
  • The collection of sculptures
  • Pheidias and his workshop
  • The prehistoric period at Olympia (Gallery 1) 
  • Geometric-Archaic periods (Gallery 2) 
  • Late Archaic period and architectural sculpture (Gallery 3)
  • The Severe Style (Gallery 4)
  • The sculpted decoration of the temple of Zeus (Gallery 5)
  • The Nike of Paionios (Gallery 6)
  • Pheidias and his workshop (Gallery 7) 
  • The Hermes of Praxiteles (Gallery 8) 
  • Late Classical and Hellenistic periods (Gallery 9) 
  • Roman sculpture (Gallery 10-11)
  • The last years of the sanctuary's life (Gallery 12) 

How to reach

Once you reach Olympia, Olympia Archaeological Museum can be visited on foot as it is in the city center itself.
The distance from Olympia center to Olympia Archaeological Museum is 747 meters and it takes 8 minutes to walk the distance. 
By taxi, the distance to be covered is 3.2 km. It takes 8 minutes to reach the museum. The taxi fare one way is 4 to 5 Euros.

Tips

  • Do not miss out seeing the statue of Nike and the helmet of the General who won the battle of Marathon.
  • The museum is very informative, so take your time and look at the display at leisure.
  • The museum has good toilet facilities.
  • You are not allowed to touch the displays.
  • Smoking is allowed only in the smoking zone.
  • Get your tickets before to save you time.
  • Do not forget to bring water with you.

Visit Time

Sunday:       8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Monday:       8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday:      8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday:     8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday:          8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday:      8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Time Icon

Waiting Time

Nil

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

Yes

Entrance rate for a full ticket is €12, the  reduced rate is €6
April 1st to October 31st, you can purchase combined, or individual ticket for 12 Euros (reduced ticket price is € 6)  which includes the visit to the following areas:

1.Archaeological Site of Olympia, 2. Archaeological Museum of Olympia 3. Museum of the Olympic Games of Antiquity and 4. Museum in Olympia. The ticket is valid for one day. There are no longer available tickets only for a single area (e.g. The Archaeological Site of Olympia)
Special ticket package: Full: €12, Reduced: €6
During the period of  1st November to 31st March, the price of a single ticket is reduced by 50% for all visitors and costs 6 Euros.

Free admission days:
6th March, that is in memory of Melina Mercouri
18th April, that is International Monuments Day
18th May, that is International Museums Day
The last weekend of September every year, those are European Heritage Days
28th October
Every first Sunday between November 1st to March 31st

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Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

2 to 3 hours

 

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Weather

Clear Sky 20.97°C

 

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