Temple of Olympian Zeus
Towering over the modern cityscape like a skeletal giant, the Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion) offers a quiet, scale-defying counterpoint to the hurried bustle of the Acropolis. Here, you walk not through a crowded citadel, but through the sprawling ruins of what was once the largest temple in all of Greece.
What to expect
The site is defined by the sheer verticality of its remaining columns. Today, only 15 of the original 104 majestic Corinthian columns remain standing—14 in a line and one solitary column that collapsed during a gale in 1852, lying now in pieces across the grass. Walking the perimeter of the fenced site, you get a palpable sense of the sheer mass of the Pentelic marble; each column reaches 17 meters high. Unlike the Acropolis, the site is flat and exposed, allowing you to walk freely around the drum-stacked monoliths and photograph the temple against the backdrop of the Lycabettus Hill or a clear Aegean-blue sky.
History & significance
Construction of the temple began in the 6th century BC under the tyrant Peisistratos, but political instability and lack of funds stalled the project for over 600 years. It was only in 131 AD that the Roman Emperor Hadrian, a self-confessed philhellene, finally completed it. Upon its inauguration, Hadrian erected a colossal gold and ivory statue of Zeus inside, effectively branding the project as a monument to his own imperial legacy. By the 3rd century, the temple had begun to fall into ruin, stripped by looters and used as an unofficial quarry for centuries, which explains why so little of the original structure remains.
Practical tips
- Tickets: Use your "Athens Combined Ticket" (the €30 pass that includes the Acropolis, Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, and Kerameikos). It is valid for five days.
- Queues: Unlike the Acropolis, lines here are virtually non-existent; it is a very efficient stop.
- Hours: Generally open daily from 08:00 to 20:00 (summer) and 08:00 to 17:00 (winter).
- Best Time: Visit in the late afternoon. The setting sun turns the Pentelic marble a soft honey-gold, providing spectacular light for photography that avoids the harsh, featureless glare of high noon.
Getting there
The temple is located at the intersection of Vasilissis Olgas and Amalias Avenues, bordering the leafy Makriyianni neighbourhood. It is a five-minute walk from the Akropoli Metro station (Line 2). If you are coming from the Acropolis, take the pedestrian path down through the Dionyisou Areopagitou street; you will see the columns rising above the trees to your left long before you reach the entrance.
Nearby
- Hadrian’s Arch: Positioned just outside the temple grounds on Leoforos Vasilis Amalias, this arch once served as the gateway between the ancient city of Athens and the "new" Romanised city built by Hadrian.
- Zappeion Gardens: For a cool-down, head across the street into these lush public gardens. It is perfect for a shaded walk or a coffee at the café tucked behind the neoclassical Zappeion Hall.
- Mani Mani: Located nearby in the Koukaki district (five minutes on foot), this restaurant specialises in refined Maniot Greek cuisine—an excellent spot for hearty traditional stews or goat dishes after a morning of sightseeing.