Home of the Olympic Games, Olympia is simply magnificent. The first games were played in the honour of the God Zeus in this splendid area of mainland Greece and it is no wonder that the ancient civilisations chose Olympia to hold the games because it is just so very beautiful.
Walking around the ruins of these sites, visitors will be impressed at the grand scale of all that had been built to honour the Gods. They will feel very humble as they stand next to the columns that still stand as proudly as they did in ancient times at the Temple of Bassae.
The area around Olympia and all the archaeological ruins that can be found here are surrounded by tall trees and the land is green and sheltered. This has kept the remains of this ancient world protected from the elements for thousands of years. People have come from all over the globe to see and marvel at the beauty of Olympia. It is peaceful, tranquil and visitors cannot help but have a profound experience as they wander through the ancient ruins.
Modern Olympia has kept to the tradition of creating an area which is both welcoming and warm. It does not overshadow the ancient Greece which is so much in evidence, but it will always be somewhere that the modern day visitor will want to come and visit for a short while. There are lovely restaurants, tavernas and cafes to relax in and enjoy the wonders of ancient Greece in a setting that will simply take their breath away.
The Temple at Bassae still stands proudly on its plateau with mountains as its backdrop making it one of the most beautiful vistas in the area. Located on a remote plateau, it is mysterious, huge and classical in design and one of the oldest temples in the world. Built to honour the God Zeus, this fabulous construction incorporates Doric, Ionic and Corinthian elements that will leave visitors speechless at its magnificence.
The small fishing village and port of Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia from the sea. This delightful village has shops, fish tavernas, some restaurants and lots of cafeterias where visitors can relax and watch the colourful fishing boats in the harbour. There are some lovely small hotels to stay at in Katakolon and enjoy the life that
the village has to offer. Close by, the Mercury winery and estate languishes elegantly in the sun and visitors are welcome to take a guided tour around the estate to sample the fine wines that they produced here.
Olympia, the ancient and the new, is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It is tranquil with landscapes that are unique to mainland Greece.
Home of the Olympiads and the God Zeus, visiting this wonderful area is an experience that will leave you profoundly touched at all that you see and do.
