43005GRE
Full day excursion from ports; visit site and museum.
You will either go to Olympia from Patras, Kalamata or after Mycenae, depending on your itinerary. Also done as an excursion for those arriving from Italy on the overnight ferry if time permits (usually only done in summer months, check with itinerary). You go directly from the port to Olympia in this case.
- The local guide takes care of the scheduling, is with the group the entire time, and conducts the visits. Olympia is 115 kms from Patras, 112 kms from Kalamata (about 1.75 to 2 hours from either port as the climb up to Olympia is pretty winding – warn pax in advance).
- Guide pays entrances. Have a list of pax names and birthdates in case it’s needed.
- All under18s should have passports/copies with them.
- The bus will drop the group in the site parking area (max 10 minute walk downhill) and then drive to a parking lot near the exit of the museum where the group will find the coach after lunch.
- The ticket is a 2-part ticket; pax should hold on to the stub so that they can use the 2nd part for the museum.
- Toilets at the site are at the right hand side of the entrance (you must enter the site itself).
- The site is flat but there are areas with uneven footing. Guided part around the site is about 45’-1 hour followed by some free time. You can arrange a footrace in the stadium (world’s oldest!) after the guided part. Meet at the site exit (or wherever your guide prefers) to walk to the museum all together.
- The (spectacular!) museum is housed on one floor and is a ten-minute walk from the site.
- Before entering the museum, there are toilets, a café and a gift shop up a few stairs to the right of the museum entrance.
- One way direction of visit (45 minutes appx) in the museum with the guide, no free time in museum afterwards (unless specifically requested).
- Exit museum and walk to coach parking (5 minutes). Possible stop for souvenirs on the walk to coach.
- There are places for lunch and shopping in the village of Olympia. It is best to have the guide call ahead and organize lunch (the morning of the visit) all together at one of the tavernas so as not to waste time. The most convenient and largest is Ambrosia, which is on the way into town from the museum. (Proprietor is called Harry: +30 26240 23414). Touris is another excellent option: they are a 5’ drive out of town, do a great buffet and have parking for the coach right out front. You, the guide and driver eat gratis at both of these.
- Check tipping guidelines in advance for the guide and driver tip: you always tip the guide and usually the driver. If you need clarification, call the TM Office.
- Liaise with your guide/driver as to timings.
Further Information
Most of the time, you leave Olympia after lunch and drive elsewhere. If you need to get to Patras for a ferry, then give yourself at least three and a half hours to accommodate the drive and check-in. Nafpaktos is roughly two hours and Delphi is roughly three and a half. On very rare occasions you will be going on to, or returning to, Athens. This is about 4.5 hours with a stop at the Corinth Canal.