The Temple of Olympian Zeus at a glance
The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also called the Olympieion, is a huge temple dedicated to Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. What you see today is a field of very tall Corinthian columns on a wide open site south-east of the Acropolis, with the hill rising behind them.
It is a quick visit compared with the Acropolis. There is no climb and no crowd squeezing through a gateway, just a walk around the base of the columns. Most people spend 30 to 45 minutes here.
The site has its own ticket. The Acropolis ticket does not cover it, and the old combined ticket that used to include it was abolished in April 2025.
Tickets for the Temple of Olympian Zeus
One price all year, with the same free entry rules as the Acropolis.
A full ticket costs €20 in 2026, reduced €10. Since 2025 there is no cheaper winter price. The same discounts apply as at the Acropolis: visitors from EU countries up to the age of 25 and children from outside the EU up to 18 enter free with ID or passport. EU citizens over 65 pay the reduced price only from 1 October to 31 May. For non-EU visitors aged 18 to 25 the ministry's list has no discount.
Entry is free for everyone on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September and 28 October. Some winter Sundays are free as well, but official sources do not agree on which ones, so check the list on hh.gr before you plan around it. You can buy tickets on tickets.hh.gr or at the ticket office.
| Site | Full price 2026 | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Acropolis and slopes | €30 | €15 |
| Temple of Olympian Zeus | €20 | €10 |
| Ancient Agora incl. museum | €20 | €10 |
| Roman Agora | €10 | €5 |
| Hadrian's Library | €10 | €5 |
| Kerameikos incl. museum | €10 | €5 |
The former combined ticket for seven sites no longer exists. Websites that still sell an "Athens combined ticket" are out of date or offer a reseller package. What replaced the combined ticket →
Athens tours with the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Walking tours of ancient Athens, combinations with the Acropolis and city tours that pass the Olympieion, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours 2026
The site opens at 08:00 all year. The closing time changes with the season, and in winter it closes much earlier than the Acropolis.
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| 1 April to 31 August | 08:00–20:00 |
| September and October | Closing time moves earlier in steps, down to 18:00 in late October |
| 1 November to 31 March | 08:00–15:00 |
In winter the Acropolis stays open until 17:00, but the Temple of Olympian Zeus closes at 15:00. If you want to see both on a short winter day, go to the Olympieion first.
Entrance and how to get there
The entrance is on Vasilissis Olgas, on the south side of the site.
From the Acropolis Museum
The museum and Akropoli metro station (line 2) are the best starting point. Walk east along the pedestrian street Dionysiou Areopagitou to its end near Hadrian's Arch, then continue to Vasilissis Olgas. It is a short, flat walk. Because of building work on Vasilissis Olgas, follow the signs on site.
From the Acropolis
After your visit, leave through the south exit. You come out on Dionysiou Areopagitou, the same pedestrian street, and walk east from there. Remember that the Acropolis ticket allows one entry only.
Entrances and metro →From Plaka
The old town lies on the north and east slopes of the Acropolis, so the Olympieion is easy to add at the start or end of a walk through Plaka.
Plaka →Hadrian's Arch: view only for now
Hadrian's Arch stands on its own by the road, a short distance from the temple. Normally you can walk up to it without a ticket. Since 1 April 2026 the area around the arch has been closed because of building work on Vasilissis Olgas, according to the Ministry of Culture.
You can still see it from outside the closed area and from a distance, for example on the way from Dionysiou Areopagitou. There is no announced date for when the area will reopen, so check the situation on site.
Is the Temple of Olympian Zeus worth it?
An honest answer depends on your time, your budget and how many ancient sites you have already seen.
Worth it if
You like ancient architecture and want to stand at the foot of the columns to get a sense of their size. It also suits visitors who find the Acropolis too crowded or too steep: there is no climb, and the site is usually much calmer.
Maybe skip it if
You only have one day and €20 per person matters. You can see the columns from the Acropolis plateau and from the streets around the site, and the Ancient Agora at the same price gives you more to explore.
Ancient Agora →Good timing
In summer there is almost no shade on the site, as on the Acropolis. Go early in the morning or in the late afternoon. In winter, remember the 15:00 closing time.
Best time to visit →More to see near the Olympieion
Combine the temple with the sites on and around the Acropolis.
Temple of Olympian Zeus: frequently asked questions
How much does the Temple of Olympian Zeus cost?
The ticket costs €20 in 2026, reduced €10. EU visitors up to 25 and non-EU children up to 18 enter free with ID. There are also free days for everyone, such as 28 October.
Is the Temple of Olympian Zeus included in the Acropolis ticket?
No. The €30 Acropolis ticket covers only the hill and its slopes. The combined ticket that once included the Olympieion was abolished on 1 April 2025.
What are the opening hours?
From 1 April to 31 August 08:00 to 20:00. In September and October it closes earlier in steps, down to 18:00 at the end of October. From 1 November to 31 March 08:00 to 15:00.
Where is the entrance?
On Vasilissis Olgas, on the south side of the site. From Akropoli metro station and the Acropolis Museum it is a short walk east along Dionysiou Areopagitou.
Can I visit Hadrian's Arch?
Only from a distance at the moment. The area around the arch has been closed since 1 April 2026 because of building work on Vasilissis Olgas.