Once the largest temple in ancient Greece, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was begun in the 6th century BCE but not completed until 638 years later under Emperor Hadrian in 131 CE. Of the original 104 Corinthian columns, 15 still stand, making for one of Athens' most photogenic ancient ruins.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus on Vasilissis Olgas in the Mets neighborhood of Athens represents one of antiquity's most ambitious building projects — 700 years in construction from the 6th century BCE to completion under Emperor Hadrian in 131 CE. At its completion it contained 104 Corinthian columns standing 17 meters tall, making it the largest temple in ancient Greece. Today 15 columns remain on the original base (one toppled in a 19th-century storm lies fallen in pieces), creating a strikingly photogenic composition against the Acropolis backdrop to the northwest. The site's scale is best appreciated from the interior, where the sheer height of surviving columns conveys the intended grandeur. Visitors can walk the archaeological zone, examining massive marble column drums and reconstruction diagrams showing the original complete temple. The adjacent Hadrian's Arch (free to view from the street) marks the boundary between ancient Athens and Hadrian's Roman city extension. The nearby Zappeion gardens and National Garden provide pleasant walking between sites. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is included in the seven-monument combined Acropolis ticket (€30, valid five days), making it efficient to combine with the nearby Panathenaic Stadium and Acropolis on the same day.
Good to know
- Hours
- 8AM-8PM (Apr-Oct); 9AM-5PM (Nov-Mar)
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon
- Best for
- history, photography, culture
Location
Vasilissis Olgas 1, Athens 105 57
37.9693, 23.7329 View on map
Highlights
- 15 surviving Corinthian columns at 17 metres tall — among the tallest columns in the ancient world
- Fallen column drum of the toppled 104th column, illustrating the temple's original colossal scale
- Acropolis and Parthenon visible directly to the northwest from within the archaeological zone
- Adjacent Hadrian's Arch marking Hadrian's Roman city extension, viewable from the street for free
- Remains of the cella foundations revealing the temple's enormous 110-by-44-metre footprint
Tips for visiting
- Included in the €30 multi-monument combined ticket
- Hadrian's Arch is just outside and free to view
When to visit
Morning visits (8–10AM) offer cooler temperatures and the best angle of light on the columns. Late afternoon illuminates the columns from the west and provides striking photography with the Acropolis visible in the background.
Accessibility
The site is largely flat with gravel pathways and is accessible to wheelchair users and visitors with mobility limitations. The entrance on Vasilissis Olgas has a ramped access point. No significant barriers for most of the walkable zone.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Temple of Olympian Zeus included in the combined ticket?
Yes — it is one of seven sites covered by the €30 multi-monument combined ticket, which also includes the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Kerameikos, Hadrian's Library, and the Lykeion. The ticket is valid for five days.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend 45–90 minutes at the site. It pairs well with a short walk to the Panathenaic Stadium (10 minutes) and the National Garden.
Can Hadrian's Arch be seen without paying admission?
Yes — Hadrian's Arch stands immediately outside the ticketed archaeological zone on Leoforos Vasilissis Olgas and can be photographed from the street at no charge.