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Aerial view of the village of Olympia among green hills

Where to Stay in Ancient Olympia

Stay one night and the sanctuary is yours at opening time. Here is where to sleep.

Most visitors see Olympia between 10:00 and 13:00, off a cruise ship or at the end of a long drive from Athens. Staying one night changes the visit completely: you walk into the Altis when the gates open, see the stadium before the heat and the coaches, and have the evening in a quiet village.

There are two sensible bases. The village of Archaia Olympia itself — family hotels and guesthouses on or near the main street, plus larger hotels on Drouva hill with pools and valley views. Or the countryside and Ionian coast around it, where a country inn or a beach resort lets you combine Olympia with a longer stay.

Rates below are indicative starting prices for a double room and change constantly with season and demand — every card links out to Trip.com for live availability.

Where to stay

Staying in Olympia village

Walkable to the site and museums, quiet in the evening, and the easiest way to be at the gate at opening time. The hill hotels have pools and views; the main-street guesthouses have the shortest walk.

Hotel Europa Olympia

★★★★
9.6 111

The best-rated hotel in Olympia, set among gardens and olive trees on Drouva hill above the village, with a pool and wide views over the Alfeios valley.

  • Guest score 9.6 from 100+ reviews
  • Pool and gardens on the hill
  • Free parking; a short drive or 25-minute walk to the site
from €94 / night See rates & availability

Olympion Asty Hotel

★★★★
9.3 46

A calm, upscale hilltop hotel on Drouva with a pool and sweeping valley views — the one to book for a quiet night after the ruins.

  • Hilltop setting with valley views
  • Outdoor pool
  • Quiet, away from the tour-bus traffic
from €105 / night See rates & availability

Amalia Hotel Olympia

★★★★
9.0 63

A reliable four-star at the edge of the village, walkable to the archaeological site, with a large pool and generous breakfast.

  • Walk to the site and museums
  • Large outdoor pool
  • Good for families and groups
from €73 / night See rates & availability

Leonidaion Guesthouse

★★★
9.0 98

A friendly, well-kept guesthouse in the middle of the village, a few minutes on foot from the entrance to the site.

  • Central, walk to everything
  • Guest score 9.0 from nearly 100 reviews
  • Excellent value
from €65 / night See rates & availability

Arty Grand Hotel

★★★★★
8.6 8

A design-led five-star on the hill above Olympia, with contemporary art on the walls, a pool and a restaurant.

  • Five-star comfort
  • Pool and restaurant
  • Hilltop, a short drive from the site
See rates & availability

Hotel Kronio

★★★
8.5 51

A long-running family hotel on the main street: simple, clean rooms and a good breakfast, with the site at the end of the road.

  • On the main street
  • Family-run, helpful hosts
  • Walk to the site in about 10 minutes
from €59 / night See rates & availability

Olympic Village Hotel & Spa

★★★★
8.0 64

A four-star with a spa and pool on the edge of Archaia Olympia — comfortable, practical and good value outside peak weeks.

  • Spa and pool
  • Easy parking
  • A short drive to the site
from €68 / night See rates & availability

Hotel Hercules

★★
8.2 54

The budget pick: a small, basic hotel one street back from the main road, ideal for a single night before an early start at the site.

  • Cheapest bed in the village
  • Central location
  • Simple and clean
from €49 / night See rates & availability
See all Olympia hotels

Staying around Olympia

A country inn among the vineyards a few minutes east of the site, or a full beach resort on the Ionian coast — for a longer stay that mixes history with the sea.

Aldemar Olympian Village

★★★★★
9.3 44

A five-star all-inclusive beach resort on the Ionian coast at Skafidia — combine a sea holiday with a day at Olympia, about 30 minutes inland.

  • On a long sandy beach
  • All-inclusive option
  • About 30 minutes by car from Olympia
from €94 / night See rates & availability

Bacchus

★★★★
9.1 50

A country inn in the hamlet of Archaia Pissa, a few kilometres east of Olympia, known for its taverna and rural setting.

  • Countryside setting among vines
  • Well-regarded taverna
  • A few minutes by car to the site
from €81 / night See rates & availability
Search hotels around Olympia

Village, hill or coast?

Base Good for Less good for From
Village centre Walking to the site, museums and tavernas; early starts Pools and views; some rooms face the main street €49
Drouva hill Pools, views, quiet; the best-rated hotels A 20–30 minute walk or short drive to the site €94
Ionian coast Beach holidays, resorts, families About 30 minutes each way by car €94

How to choose

  • One night, and the site is the point? Stay in the village centre or on the hill — both put you at the gate at opening time.
  • Travelling in July or August? A hotel with a pool is worth the few extra euros after a morning in the stadium.
  • With a car and three or more days? Consider the coast, and drive in early for the site.
  • Arriving by bus? Stay central — everything, including the bus stop, is on or near the main street.

Booking tips

  • The village has a limited number of well-rated hotels. In May, June, September and October, book a few weeks ahead.
  • Check whether breakfast is included — it usually is, and Greek hotel breakfasts are generous.
  • Ask for a room at the back if you are on the main street; tour coaches start early.
  • In winter, check that the hotel is open: some close between November and March.

Once your bed is sorted, pick the experience: our ranked tour comparison covers the guided walks, VR tours and food tours worth adding.

Accommodation links go to Trip.com. Guest scores, review counts and starting prices were taken from Trip.com and are indicative — check the live page for current availability. We do not accept payment for inclusion in this list.
Plan your day at Olympia

Stand where the Olympic Games began

Walk through the vaulted tunnel into the original stadium, stand beneath the fallen columns of the Temple of Zeus and meet Hermes of Praxiteles in the museum. Compare guided tours, tickets and shore excursions and book in a couple of taps.

Browse Ancient Olympia tours Compare all tours
Good to know

Where to stay: FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth staying overnight in Olympia?

Yes — it is the single biggest improvement you can make to a visit. You can be at the site at opening time, ahead of the cruise coaches and the heat, and enjoy a quiet evening in the village.

Which is the best area to stay in Olympia?

The village centre if you want to walk everywhere; Drouva hill if you want a pool, a view and the best-rated hotels. The site is at the southern end of the main street.

How much does a hotel in Olympia cost?

Simple hotels start at around €50 a night for a double; the best-rated four-star hotels are roughly €75–110. Rates rise in summer and around flame-lighting dates.

Can I stay on the beach and visit Olympia?

Yes. Resorts on the Ionian coast, such as those around Skafidia, are about 30 minutes by car from the site — an easy morning trip.

Are there hotels near the Katakolo cruise port?

There are a few small hotels and rooms in Katakolo and more in Pyrgos, but for visiting the site, Olympia village is the better base.