The Temple of Olympian Zeus in central Athens began construction in the 6th century BCE but wasn't finished until the 2nd century CE under Roman Emperor Hadrian. Once supported by 104 massive marble columns, only a few still stand, hinting at its original scale—over 100 meters long. Located near the Acropolis, the site is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00 in summer (last entry at 19:40), except on major holidays.
The basic ticket costs 8€ for adults and 4€ for people over 65 years or non-EU people between 6 and 25 years. Entry is free for EU residents up to 25 years and children younger than 5. There is also a combined ticket that includes the Acropolis, the Olympieion, the Ancient Agora, Hadrian's Library, the Kerameikos, Aristotle's School and the Roman Agora for 30€.
Admission is free on select public holidays and on the first Sunday of each month from November to March. This offers a great opportunity to explore this ancient marvel without any cost. You can see the full list of free days on the official website.
Visitors usually spend around 1 to 2 hours exploring the Temple of Olympian Zeus and its surroundings. This duration allows adequate time to appreciate the architectural grandeur and historical significance of the site.
The guided tours to the Temple of Olympian Zeus are mostly private tours that also include the Acropolis or other popular attractions in Athens, and you can find an example in our selection above.