Top 6 Things to Do in Ancient Olympia (Beyond Just Walking the Ruins)

Most visitors come to Olympia for the ancient stadium and temples—and rightly so! But if you only walk past the stone ruins and leave, you are missing out on the magic, flavors, and living traditions of the region.

Whether you are visiting for a full day or looking to pair your archaeological visit with an unforgettable local experience, these 6 top things to do in Ancient Olympia are our favorite local recommendations.

1. Step Inside Ancient Greece with a 3D VR Tour

Walking through ruins takes a lot of imagination—unless you bring a time machine. Before heading to the ticket booth, stop by Olympia Back in Time (located right across from Olympia's main church) for a 2-minute pickup of our Virtual Reality glasses and audio guide. As you walk the site, you'll see 13 legendary monuments rebuilt in 3D right where they stood. Nothing prepares you for the jaw-dropping moment you look up at the colossal Statue of Zeus, or the fun of using hand interaction to pick up and inspect virtual ancient artifacts with your bare hands!

2. Feast with a Mountain View at Bacchus Tavern

Skip the tourist traps and take a 5-minute drive (3 km) up to the picturesque village of Ancient Pisa (Miraka), perched on the east side of Cronios Hill. Bacchus Tavern is the best traditional family tavern in the area, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the lush mountains. Every dish is cooked daily using fresh ingredients from local producers—do not leave without trying their rich, homemade moussaka or their melt-in-your-mouth lamb in olive oil and oregano sauce.

3. Taste Homemade "Diples" at Klio's Honey Farm

Just a breath away from the ruins and the museum, Klio's Honey Farm offers the warmest display of authentic Greek hospitality. Klio and her mother, Mrs. Roula, welcome you into a shady garden bursting with fruit trees, serving fresh juice, seasonal fruit, and Greek coffee. After a fascinating chat about beekeeping and how the hive produces royal jelly and propolis, Mrs. Roula unfolds homemade dough right in front of you to prepare diples—a crispy traditional dessert drenched in their farm's golden honey.

4. Olive Oil & Wine Tasting at Agriturismo Magna Grecia

In ancient times, olive oil was sacred to Olympic athletes, and the wild olive branch was the ultimate prize of champions. At Magna Grecia, a 4th-generation family farmhouse estate surrounded by thousands of olive trees in Olympia's Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) zone, you can stroll through the groves, learn the history of the sacred tree, and taste award-winning extra virgin olive oils alongside local Peloponnesian wines.

5. Carve Marble at Smili Workshop & Explore the Archimedes Museum

Want to get hands-on with Greek genius?

• Smili Art Workshop: Housed in a beautifully converted old olive oil factory in the heart of Olympia, Smili is the only marble workshop in the Peloponnese open to the public. Visitors of all ages can grab a chisel and try sculpting real marble and clay alongside master artists.
• Archimedes Museum: Located centrally on Praxiteli Kondyli Street (with admission by voluntary donation), this interactive two-story museum showcases working replicas of ancient Greek inventions, robotics, and mechanical wonders designed by Archimedes, with guides in 6 languages.

6. Cool Off at Leventochori Beach

Heading back toward Katakolon port on a warm afternoon? Detour to Leventochori Beach. Framed by dramatic rock formations and soft, thin golden sand, its tranquil coves are a favorite secret among locals and in-the-know travelers looking for a peaceful swim away from the crowds. For a cold drink, a bite by the sea and a famous sunset, stop at Leventes beach bar.