Private Tour to Ancient Olympia & Corinth Canal from Athens4.9(36 Reviews)11 hours
From€65.50per person
Listing ID : 41314
4.9(36 Reviews)
Private Tour to Ancient Olympia & Corinth Canal from Athens
11hDuration
Max 12 peopleGroup Size
Greek, EnglishSpeaking Guide
Mobile ticketAccepted
About this experience
Duration11 Hours
Group SizePrivate Tour
Starts AtAthens, Greece
LanguagesGreek, English
Private Day Tour from Athens
Private Tour of Ancient Olympia and the Isthmus Canal from Athens
Walk the grounds where ancient champions competed and witness one of the great feats of 19th-century engineering — all in a single private day tour.
This private full-day tour takes you from Athens into the heart of the Peloponnese, combining the Ancient Olympia tour from Athens with a stop at the remarkable Corinth Canal. Over 11 hours, you explore one of the most storied sites of classical Greece alongside a modern waterway that transformed Mediterranean trade.
The day begins with a scenic drive west from Athens, crossing into the Peloponnese at the Isthmus of Corinth. Here, the narrow canal cut through solid rock in the late 19th century offers a dramatic first impression — sheer limestone walls dropping nearly 80 metres to the water below.
At Olympia, the pace slows considerably. The sanctuary spread across the valley of the Alpheios River rewards unhurried exploration. Your private guide connects the physical remains — temples, training grounds, stadiums — with the living tradition of the Olympic Games that began here in the 8th century BC.
Tour Highlights
Stand inside the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world — the colossal chryselephantine statue by the sculptor Pheidias.
Visit the Temple of Hera, the oldest temple at Olympia, where the Olympic flame is ceremonially lit before each modern Games.
Walk the ancient Stadium, where Greek athletes competed in front of thousands of spectators, and explore the Hippodrome used for horse and chariot racing.
Explore the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, housing the Hermes of Praxiteles, the Winged Victory by Paionios, and extraordinary sculptures from the Temple of Zeus.
Admire the Corinth Canal from the viewing bridge — a 6.3-kilometre trench through the Isthmus that took over a decade to complete and opened in 1893.
Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch at a local taverna in Olympia village, with home-cooked dishes prepared in the regional style of the western Peloponnese.
Visit the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity and the Archimedes Museum, offering rare insight into ancient science alongside the sporting legacy of the site.
Itinerary
1
Departure from Athens and Stop at the Isthmus Canal
Your private vehicle departs Athens and heads southwest toward the Peloponnese. The first stop is the Corinth Canal viewpoint, where you observe the sheer walls of one of the most ambitious 19th-century engineering projects in the Mediterranean world.
2
Arrival at Ancient Olympia — Sanctuary and Temples
After continuing west through the Peloponnese, you arrive at the archaeological site of Olympia. Guided exploration covers the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the Philippeion, and the Palaestra — a wrestling and boxing training facility built in the 3rd century BC.
3
The Stadium, Hippodrome, and Workshop of Pheidias
Continue through the site to the ancient Stadium, where athletes competed from the 8th century BC onward. Nearby, the Workshop of Pheidias is identified by its precise dimensions, which matched those of the great temple it was built to serve.
4
Archaeological Museum and Specialist Museums
The Archaeological Museum houses the site's most important finds, including the Hermes of Praxiteles and the pediment sculptures from the Temple of Zeus. Two additional museums — dedicated to the Olympic Games in Antiquity and to Archimedes — round out the visit.
5
Lunch and Stroll in Olympia Village
A traditional Greek lunch is served at a local taverna, followed by free time to walk among the village shops and browse handmade souvenirs from local artisans.
6
Return Drive to Athens
The private vehicle departs Olympia for the return journey to Athens, retracing the route across the Peloponnese and back through the Isthmus, arriving in the evening after approximately 11 hours in total.
What Is Included
Included
Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
Licensed private tour guide throughout the day
Guided visit to the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia
Visit to the Archaeological Museum of Olympia
Stop at the Isthmus of Corinth Canal viewpoint
Lunch at a traditional Greek taverna in Olympia village
All transfers from and back to Athens
Not Included
Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums
Gratuities for guide and driver
Personal expenses and additional meals
Travel insurance
Hotel pick-up outside the central Athens area (may incur surcharge)
Important Information
This is a private tour. All timings are flexible and the itinerary can be adjusted to your group's pace and interests. Please advise of any accessibility requirements or dietary needs at the time of booking.
Duration
Approximately 11 hours including travel time from Athens and back. Time at each site varies depending on group pace.
Meeting Point
Pick-up from your hotel or a central location in Athens. Exact address confirmed at booking.
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a hat, and a light layer for museum interiors. Water is recommended for the archaeological site.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour start time. Late cancellations may be subject to a charge. Please review the booking terms at checkout.
Accessibility
The archaeological site of Olympia involves uneven terrain and gravel paths. The tour is rated easy in general pace, but some areas may present difficulty for visitors with limited mobility.
Age Range
Suitable for all ages. The tour is well-paced and includes content that is engaging for children familiar with Greek mythology and the history of the Olympic Games.
Reserve Your Private Day Tour
Secure your place on this private tour to Ancient Olympia and the Corinth Canal. All group sizes are welcome, and the itinerary is tailored to your schedule.
Ancient Olympia is approximately 320 kilometres from Athens by road, making it a roughly 3.5-hour drive each way depending on traffic. The total round trip is covered within the 11-hour tour duration.
Is lunch included in the tour?▼
Yes, lunch at a traditional Greek taverna in Olympia village is included. The meal features home-cooked regional dishes. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Are entrance fees to Olympia included?▼
Entrance fees to the archaeological site and museums are not included in the tour price and are payable separately on the day. Your guide can advise on current rates at booking.
Where exactly is the Olympic flame lit today?▼
The modern Olympic flame is lit in a ceremony at the ruins of the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia. The ritual uses a parabolic mirror to focus sunlight and ignite the torch before each Olympic Games.
What is the Philippeion and why is it significant?▼
The Philippeion is a circular marble structure inside the sacred enclosure of Olympia, commissioned by Philip II of Macedon after his victory at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. It was completed by his son Alexander the Great and is considered one of the finest examples of classical Greek circular architecture.
Can the tour itinerary be customised?▼
As a private tour, the itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted based on your group's interests and pace. Requests for specific stops or adjusted timings should be communicated at the time of booking.
Ancient OlympiaCorinth CanalAthens Day TourPeloponnesePrivate Tour GreeceOlympic HistoryTemple of ZeusTemple of HeraGreek ArchaeologyArchaeological MuseumGreek CultureClassical Greece
This tour departs from Athens, the capital of Greece, and travels to two key destinations in the Peloponnese region. The first stop is the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow land bridge connecting mainland Greece to the Peloponnese, where the Corinth Canal — completed in 1893 — cuts through limestone cliffs at the town of Corinth (Korinthos), approximately 80 kilometres southwest of Athens. The main destination is Ancient Olympia, located in the regional unit of Elis (Ilia) in the western Peloponnese, approximately 320 kilometres from Athens via the E65 and A8 motorways. Olympia sits in the valley of the Alpheios River, near the modern village of Archaia Olympia. The site is recognised by UNESCO and is one of the most visited archaeological destinations in Greece, drawing visitors from across Europe, North America, and East Asia. The surrounding area of the western Peloponnese is known for its mild climate, olive groves, and traditional Greek village culture.
Category: Private Guided Day Tour | Destination: Ancient Olympia and Corinth Canal, Peloponnese, Greece | Departure City: Athens, Greece | Tour Type: Cultural and Archaeological | Difficulty: Easy | Duration: 11 Hours | Ideal For: History Enthusiasts, Families, First-Time Visitors to Greece, Olympic Games Fans | Season: Year-Round
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