Greece Athens Temple of Olympian Zeus Entry Tickets

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is largely accessible and relatively flat compared to the Acropolis. The main viewing areas around the standing columns and the fallen column are accessible on reasonably level ground. Some areas involve uneven ancient surfaces. The site is generally suitable for visitors with mobility concerns who find the steep climb to the Acropolis summit challenging, offering an equally impressive ancient experience at ground level.

Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours at the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The site is less extensive than the Acropolis but the scale of the surviving columns and the drama of the fallen column reward unhurried exploration. The site is an ideal complement to a visit to the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and the National Garden, all within easy walking distance.

Hadrian's Arch, also known as Hadrian's Gate, is a monumental Roman gateway located at the entrance to the Olympieion site. Built by the Emperor Hadrian around 132 AD to mark the boundary between the old city of Theseus and his new Roman city, the arch is approximately 18 metres tall and still impressively intact. An inscription on one side reads that this is the city of Theseus and on the other that this is the city of Hadrian. It is included within the same site as the temple.

Yes, the Temple of Olympian Zeus is a wonderful experience for families and children of all ages. The dramatically tall columns and the fallen column that children can walk around and touch (where permitted) are consistently cited as highlights by families. The site is relatively flat and easy to navigate. Children under 5 enter free. The adjacent National Garden provides an excellent green space for families to relax after exploring the ancient site.

Fifteen columns remain standing from the original 104 Corinthian columns that once supported the temple. A 16th column collapsed during a violent storm in 1852 and lies dramatically on the ground where it fell, its cylindrical drums spread across the site exactly as they landed. The contrast between the standing columns and the fallen one creates one of the most powerful images of ancient ruin available anywhere in Athens.

Note that the old combined ticket covering multiple Athens archaeological sites was discontinued in April 2025. Visitors must now purchase separate tickets for each site. However, various third-party Athens Pass products covering multiple sites are available from authorised ticket providers and can offer good value for visitors planning to see several ancient sites in Athens on the same day or across multiple days.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, was the largest temple ever attempted in ancient Greece. Originally conceived in the 6th century BC, it was completed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 131 AD, approximately 700 years after construction began. It was dedicated to Zeus Olympios and once featured 104 enormous Corinthian columns each 17 metres tall. Only 15 columns remain standing today, making it one of the most dramatically ruinous ancient monuments in the world.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is located at Vasilissis Olgas 1, Athens, approximately a 10-minute walk from the Acropolis. The nearest Metro station is Syntagma on Lines 2 and 3, approximately a 10-minute walk. Akropoli station on Line 2 is also within walking distance. The site entrance is on Vasileos Olgas Avenue beside Hadrian's Arch. Buses serving the National Garden stop nearby.