Fifteen colossal Corinthian columns — each 17 metres tall — tower above central Athens as reminders that this was once the largest temple on the Greek mainland. Construction dragged on for 638 years across five different political regimes before Roman Emperor Hadrian finally completed the Temple of Olympian Zeus in 132 AD. It stood in its full glory for barely a century before Germanic invaders pillaged it in 267 AD.
Quick overview
How much does the Temple of Olympian Zeus cost? €20 full entry, €10 reduced. A combined five-day multipass (€30) grants access to seven major sites including the Acropolis.
Opening hours: Winter (November–March) 08:00–15:00; Summer (April–October) hours vary — check official site for current times.
Last entry: 20 minutes before closing.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| €20 full / €10 reduced | Winter 08:00–15:00, Summer varies | See full list on official site | 20 minutes before closing |
How much does the Temple of Olympian Zeus cost?
Full admission costs €20, reduced entry €10. Tickets are sold on-site and via the official e-ticketing platform at https://hhticket.gr.
The €30 combined multipass was sadly abolished in April 2025. Valid for five consecutive days, it covered the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Kerameikos, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Aristotle’s Lyceum.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Full | €20 | Adults not eligible for reductions |
| Reduced | €10 | Non-EU visitors aged 6–25 |
| Combined multipass | €30 | Anyone; valid 5 days for 7 archaeological sites |
| Free | €0 | See free admission list below |
Free admission days: 6 March (Melina Mercouri memorial), 18 April (International Monuments Day), 18 May (International Museums Day), last weekend of September (European Heritage Days), 28 October. Additional free entry categories include EU citizens under 25, people with disabilities (67%+ disability includes one escort free), and others — full details at https://www.culture.gov.gr.
What time does the Temple of Olympian Zeus open?
Winter (12 November 2025 to 31 March 2026): 08:00–15:00 daily. Last entry 14:40.
Summer (1 April onwards): Opening hours extend to accommodate longer daylight, with closing times between 18:00 and 20:00 depending on the month. Hours reduce gradually from September through October.
The site closes on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday, 25 December, and 26 December.
Check hhticket.gr before visiting as hours shift seasonally. The last entry window is tight — arrive at least 30 minutes before closing if you want more than a cursory look.
Do I need to book Temple of Olympian Zeus tickets in advance?
Not essential, but buying online saves queueing time, particularly during peak season (April–October). The official e-ticketing site accepts advance purchases.
The site rarely sells out, though it gets busy between 10:00 and 14:00. Early morning or late afternoon visits face smaller crowds.
Parking advice
Central Athens parking is difficult and expensive. Street parking near the temple is limited and often metered. Commercial car parks offer an alternative but charge high hourly rates.
The Syntagma underground car park (Amalias Avenue) sits roughly 750 metres north — a ten-minute walk. Rates hover around €3–4 per hour. Spaces fill quickly on weekdays.
Public transport beats driving. Akropoli metro station (Line 2, red line) is 400 metres from the temple entrance — a five-minute walk. Syntagma station (Lines 2 and 3) is ten minutes away on foot. Both options avoid parking hassles entirely.
History
Construction began around 515 BC under tyrant Peisistratos and his sons, who commissioned architects Antistates, Callaeschrus, Antimachides and Porinus to design the largest temple in the Greek world. The original plan called for a Doric limestone structure measuring 108 by 41 metres. When the tyranny collapsed in 510 BC, democracy replaced dictatorship — and temple construction ceased.
The unfinished foundations sat abandoned for 336 years. Aristotle later cited the project as an example of how rulers exhausted populations with grand schemes to prevent rebellion.
In 174 BC, Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes hired Roman architect Cossutius to restart construction using Pentelic marble and switching to the Corinthian order — a rare exterior application at the time. When Antiochus died in 164 BC, work stopped again. Roman general Sulla subsequently stole columns in 86 BC to reuse in Rome’s Temple of Jupiter.
Emperor Hadrian finally completed the temple during his Athens visit in 124–125 AD and dedicated it in 132 AD. He added a chryselephantine statue of Zeus (gold and ivory, modelled on Pheidias’s famous statue at Olympia), plus statues of himself and Roman provincial personifications. A precinct wall enclosed the complex.
The temple’s glory lasted barely 135 years. Germanic Heruli invaders sacked Athens in 267 AD, ransacking the temple. It was never repaired. Medieval Athenians quarried its marble for building materials, reducing 104 columns to 21 by the 15th century. A Turkish governor burned one column for lime in the 18th century. An 1852 storm toppled another, which still lies broken on the ground.
Inside the Temple of Olympian Zeus: What to see
Only 16 of the original 104 columns survive — 15 standing, one fallen. Each column reaches 17.25 metres high with a 1.7-metre diameter and 20 flutes. Their scale remains imposing even in ruin.
The temple platform measures 110.35 by 43.68 metres. You can walk the perimeter, though accessing the central area (where the cella and Zeus statue once stood) isn’t possible due to preservation concerns.
Themistoclean Wall remnants appear on the northern edge of the site. Built in 479 BC to defend Athens post-Persian Wars, sections incorporated unfinished column drums from the abandoned Peisistratid temple.
Roman bath complex foundations sit under a protective roof beside Vasilissis Amalias Avenue. The elaborate baths date from the 2nd–3rd centuries AD.
Early Christian basilica ruins (5th–6th century AD) occupy the northern section. The marble floor incorporates architectural fragments recycled from the Zeus temple — a pattern repeated throughout Athens as Christianity displaced pagan worship.
Hadrian’s Arch stands just outside the archaeological site entrance (technically not part of the paid area). The 18-metre Pentelic marble gateway marks the symbolic boundary between ancient Athens and Hadrian’s new Roman quarter. Inscriptions above the arch read “This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus” (Acropolis side) and “This is the city of Hadrian, and not of Theseus” (temple side).
What’s included with your ticket?
- Access to the archaeological site and temple ruins
- View of 16 surviving columns (15 standing, 1 fallen)
- Themistoclean Wall sections
- Roman bath complex foundations
- Early Christian basilica remains
- Classical-era house foundations
- View of Hadrian’s Arch (outside site perimeter)
- Multilingual tactile plans and Braille brochures at ticket office
Things to do near the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Acropolis (500m, 10-minute walk) — Athens’s most famous ancient site, crowned by the Parthenon (which you can’t visit at night). The UNESCO World Heritage Site offers views across the city and houses the Propylaea, Theatre of Dionysus, Erechtheion, and Temple of Athena Nike.
Acropolis Museum (600m, 10-minute walk) — A purpose-built museum displaying Acropolis artefacts across three floors. The top floor aligns with the Parthenon orientation. Evening opening hours allow visits after 20:00 in summer.
Panathenaic Stadium (700m, 10-minute walk) — The world’s only all-marble stadium, rebuilt for the first modern Olympics in 1896. You can walk the track where ancient athletes competed and modern Olympic history began.
National Garden (400m, 5-minute walk) — A 15.5-hectare public park north of the temple offering shaded paths, duck ponds, and a small zoo. Former royal gardens opened to the public in 1923.
Plaka (800m, 12-minute walk) — Athens’s oldest neighbourhood, with neoclassical architecture, tavernas, and souvenir shops packed into narrow streets below the Acropolis. Car-free pedestrian zones make wandering easy.
Practical tips
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How do I get there? | Metro: Akropoli station (Line 2) is 400m away — 5-minute walk. Syntagma station (Lines 2 & 3) is 750m — 10-minute walk. Entrance on Vasilissis Olgas Avenue. |
| How long do I need? | 45 minutes covers the main ruins. Allow 90 minutes if you’re reading all information plaques and photographing from multiple angles. |
| Best time to visit? | Early morning (08:00–09:30) or late afternoon (after 16:00 in summer). Midday heat makes the exposed site uncomfortable. Golden hour lighting improves photographs. |
| Is photography allowed? | Yes, including tripods for personal use. Commercial filming requires advance permission. |
| What about accessibility? | The site is largely wheelchair accessible via the main entrance with assistance. Accessible toilets available on-site. Tactile plans and Braille brochures at ticket office. |
| Dress code? | None, but wear sturdy footwear — gravel paths and uneven ancient paving. Hat and sunscreen essential in summer. |
| Crowds? | Busiest 10:00–14:00. Far quieter than the Acropolis. Winter months and early/late hours offer near-empty visits. |
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Temple of Olympian Zeus worth visiting? | Yes, especially with the combined multipass. The column scale is impressive, and the site offers uncrowded Acropolis views. Expect ruins, not a complete structure. |
| Can I visit Hadrian’s Arch without buying a ticket? | Yes. The arch stands on public pavement outside the archaeological site entrance. You can photograph it freely without paying. |
| Are there toilets and facilities? | Basic toilets (including accessible facilities) are available on-site. No café or restaurant — bring water, especially in summer. |
| Can I bring a bag or backpack? | Yes, though large bags may be searched at entry. No specific size restrictions, but avoid bringing unnecessary luggage. |
| Is the combined multipass better value? | It was, but they’ve scrapped it, sadly. |
More Athens travel
Other Athens travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Athens hotel recommendations.
- How to spend 24 hours in Athens before your cruise.
- What to see in the mini-museums of the Athens Metro.
- Personal recommendations for a short break in Athens.
You can also choose from a wide range of Athens tours and experiences.
