Temple of Olympian Zeus
Explore ticket options to visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, one of the largest temples in the ancient world!
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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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Explore the Temple of Olympian Zeus at your own pace with a multilingual guide.
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Imagine a forest of white marble as you navigate 104 massive Corinthian columns, each 17 meters tall that stand like giants.
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The spot where a colossal gold and ivory statue of Zeus once stood, was once a sight to behold that would have filled the whole room
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The multilingual audio guide will tell you about the temple's long construction history as you pass the Doric columns and Corinthian capitals.
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Fun fact: Legend says the wind whistling through the gaps between the columns created a haunting melody, almost like a song for Zeus himself.
More details
-
Explore the Temple of Olympian Zeus at your own pace with a multilingual guide.
-
Imagine a forest of white marble as you navigate 104 massive Corinthian columns, each 17 meters tall that stand like giants.
-
The spot where a colossal gold and ivory statue of Zeus once stood, was once a sight to behold that would have filled the whole room
-
The multilingual audio guide will tell you about the temple's long construction history as you pass the Doric columns and Corinthian capitals.
-
Fun fact: Legend says the wind whistling through the gaps between the columns created a haunting melody, almost like a song for Zeus himself.
-
See Athens’ ancient wonders and the Aegean coast in one seamless day—includes entry, expert guides, lunch, and sunset views at Cape Sounion.
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Walk through history at the Acropolis with your expert guide as you admire the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Temple of Athena Nike, then explore marble statues and relics up close at the museum.
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At Cape Sounion, your guide will reveal the myths behind the Temple of Poseidon, famed for its striking Doric columns and clifftop views over the Aegean.
More details
-
See Athens’ ancient wonders and the Aegean coast in one seamless day—includes entry, expert guides, lunch, and sunset views at Cape Sounion.
-
Walk through history at the Acropolis with your expert guide as you admire the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Temple of Athena Nike, then explore marble statues and relics up close at the museum.
-
At Cape Sounion, your guide will reveal the myths behind the Temple of Poseidon, famed for its striking Doric columns and clifftop views over the Aegean.
-
Enjoy entry to the Temple of Olympian Zeus with a riveting multilingual audio tour.
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Explore the architectural intricacies of the ancient Greek temple.
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Listen to narrative storytelling that will pique your interest in Greek mythology.
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Learn about the legendary Theseus, who founded Athens after a gory bloodbath.
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Imagine the history of the city come to life at the site dating back over 2000 years.
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Picture what everyday life looked like in ancient Athens while visiting the balaneion, an ancient Greek public bath.
More details
-
Enjoy entry to the Temple of Olympian Zeus with a riveting multilingual audio tour.
-
Explore the architectural intricacies of the ancient Greek temple.
-
Listen to narrative storytelling that will pique your interest in Greek mythology.
-
Learn about the legendary Theseus, who founded Athens after a gory bloodbath.
-
Imagine the history of the city come to life at the site dating back over 2000 years.
-
Picture what everyday life looked like in ancient Athens while visiting the balaneion, an ancient Greek public bath.
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About Temple of Zeus
The Temple of Zeus, an iconic ancient temple in Athens, dates back to the 6th century BC. Its colossal structure and elaborate design were meant to showcase the city’s wealth and devotion to the Olympian Gods.
Temple of Zeus is home to the largest surviving ancient temple in Greece, with its remaining 15 out of 104 colossal Corinthian columns standing tall.
The construction of the Temple of Zeus took over 600 years to complete, starting in the 6th century BC and finishing in the 2nd century CE.
In Greek mythology, the Temple of Zeus was believed to house the Chryselephantine statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The Temple of Zeus was not only a place of worship but also a venue for hosting ancient Olympic games, where athletes competed in honor of Zeus.
This iconic temple was dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology, and it served as a testament to the might and power of Athens during its golden age.
Why visit Temple of Zeus?
Highlights
Columns and pediments
The Temple of Zeus was characterized by its impressive Corinthian columns. Although only a few of these colossal columns remain standing today, they remind visitors of the temple's scale and grandeur.
Temple remains
While the Temple of Zeus is not intact, the remaining columns and architectural elements offer a glimpse into the monumental scale of the original structure.
The Olympieion Wall
Adjacent to the temple, you will find the remnants of the surrounding enclosure wall. This wall played a significant role in defining the sacred space of the temple and is a part of the overall archaeological landscape.
Hadrian’s Arch
The Hadrian’s Arch is an impressive gateway that once marked the boundary between the old city of Athens and the new Roman city built by Emperor Hadrian. This arch is a separate structure but is often visited in conjunction with the Temple of Zeus.
Statue of Hadrian
Originally, a colossal statue of the Roman Emperor Hadrian was located within the temple complex. Although the statue itself is no longer extant, you can see the base and some fragments.
Plan your visit
South entrance
Accessible from Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue, this entrance is for all visitors, including those with disabilities. The average wait time at this entrance is around 15 minutes, but it can vary depending on the crowd.
East entrance
Located near the Arch of Hadrian, the East Entrance is for visitors with tickets or museum passes. It can take about 20 minutes to enter the temple from this entrance, but it may be longer during peak hours.
West entrance
Situated near the National Garden, the West Entrance is open to all visitors, including those with disabilities. The average wait time at this entrance is around 10 minutes, but it may be longer during busy periods.
North entrance
Accessible from Amalias Avenue, the North Entrance is for visitors with tickets, museum passes, or membership cards. The wait time at this entrance can range from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the day and time of visit.
Zappeion entrance
This entrance is located near the Zappeion Hall and is for visitors with tickets or museum passes. The average wait time here is about 20 minutes, but it may be longer during weekends or holidays.
- The Temple of Zeus allows visitors up to 30 minutes before its closing time.
- The temple is closed on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 25, and 26 December.
While visitors in wheelchairs can enter the Temple of Zeus, there may not be able to access all areas since the ruins are situated on uneven terrains within the premises. However, visitors with mobility challenges can look at the ruins, the remains of the once colossal statue of Zeus, and other citadels in the area.
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