In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Greece
Olympia
Ολυμπία
Spend a half‑day at the archaeological site and stay one night in town; total 1 day + overnight is enough.
Olympia is a small Peloponnesian town centred on the UNESCO‑listed ancient sanctuary. The site is a 20‑minute walk from the village, so a single day covers the main attractions; one night lets you avoid the summer crowds and enjoy a relaxed evening.
- Country
- Greece
- Local name
- Ολυμπία
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, crowds)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted; card terminals are required in many businesses.
- Daily spend
- Budget €30–50 excl. bed · Mid €50–80 excl. bed · High €80+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; a passport is needed to register.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Fire 199
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard European round two-pin plugs.
- Tipping
- Café: Leave the coins, €0.50–1.; Taverna or restaurant: 5–10% in cash on the table; not expected at gyros shops.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro.; Hotel housekeeping: €1–2 a night.; Boat crew or guide: €5–10 per person for a day trip.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Athens, Thessaloniki and most of the mainland. On many islands it is desalinated or hard: ask locally and buy bottled if unsure.
- Toilets
- Use cafés (buy something), museums and sites. Paper goes in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–3 |
| Greek salad | €5–8 |
| Kebab (pita) | €4–6 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | €12–15 |
| Bottle of local wine | €8–12 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KLX · Kalamata Airport
- ≈1 h 30 min by road
Typical fares
- Patras → Olympia (KTEL bus)
- about €12 each way (check)
- Kalamata Airport → Olympia (taxi, 90 km)
- ≈ €90–110 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The village is walkable; the ancient site is a 20‑minute walk from town. No private cars are allowed inside the site. Public KTEL buses connect Patras, Pyrgos and Kyllini (≈2 h).
See and do
Known for
- Archaeological Site of Olympia
- Ancient Olympic Games heritage
- Olympia Land winery
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kyllini port | KTEL bus from Olympia, about 2 h | ≈2 h |
| Pyrgos town | Local bus or car, 15 min | ≈30 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Kronio
- Central, walk to site, basic amenities
- Neda Hotel
- Close to town centre and archaeological site
- Olympic Village Hotel & Spa
- More upscale, spa facilities
- Hotel Ilis
- Near Archaia Olympia, good for budget travellers
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Συγγνώμηsee-gnó-mee |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώef-ha-ree-STO |
| How much is it? | Πόσο κοστίζει;PO-so ko-STEE-zee? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;POO EE-neh ee too-a-LE-ta? |
| I would like the menu, please | Το μενού, παρακαλώto me-NOO pa-ra-ka-LO |
| Can I pay by card? | Μπορώ να πληρώ με κάρτα;bo-RO na plee-RO me KAR-ta? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'kaliméra' (morning) or 'kalispéra' (evening) on entering shops and tavernas; avoid: Launching straight into a question
- Hospitality: Accept offered coffee, sweets or raki; it is part of the welcome; avoid: Refusing flatly — take a little
- Churches: Covered shoulders and knees; quiet voices; a small candle donation; avoid: Turning your back on the altar for photos during a service
- Gestures: Wave with the palm turned towards yourself; avoid: The open palm pushed forward (moutza)
- Conversation: Family, food and football are easy topics; avoid: Lecturing on the debt crisis, Türkiye or the name of North Macedonia
- Dinner at a home: Bring pastries or wine; arrive a little late; avoid: Leaving food on the plate if you have been served more
- Dress: Casual; long trousers or skirt for monasteries; avoid: Swimwear in town, shops and churches
Scams and watch-outs
- Summers are hot and sunny; bring sun protection and water.
- Rain can make the open‑air site slippery; bring rain gear.
- No shelter inside the ruins; plan visits around weather.
Olympia is low‑risk; main concerns are sun exposure and occasional traffic on the main road.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Olympia yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Archaeological Site of Olympia
- Ancient Olympic Games heritage
- Olympia Land winery
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Olympia: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Olympia (Greece), revision 5284018 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5284018
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/olympia-greece). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.