Religious site
Temple of Zeus, Olympia
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The Temple of Zeus at Olympia was a colossal Doric peripteral temple built in the 5th century BC. It housed the famous chryselephantine statue of Zeus, created by Phidias, which was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, only the temple's foundation and a few fallen columns remain, but the scale is still impressive. The temple's pediments depicted the chariot race of Pelops and the battle of Lapiths and Centaurs, fragments of which are in the museum. Visitors can see the site where the statue once stood and appreciate the engineering of ancient Greek architecture.
Don't miss
- Stand where the colossal statue of Zeus once sat, imagining its gold and ivory gleam.
- Examine the fallen Doric columns to appreciate the temple's original size.
- View the pediment sculptures in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Temple of Zeus, Olympia
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inAncient Olympia Half-Day Tour from Katakolo Cruise Port4.4★ · 311 travelers~5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$17 per personSee dates →
Best full dayKnossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory5★ · 738 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$134 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate Katakolon Excursion to Ancient Olympia, Winery and Beach5★ · 101 travelers4–5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$324 per personSee dates →More attractions in Olympia