Museum of the Olympic Games
Museum of the Olympic Games
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
423 reviews
Excellent
235
Very good
124
Average
44
Poor
13
Terrible
7
RangeR
Canada679 contributions
Sept 2019
Located bit to the side from the main archaeological site and museum, this one could be easy to overlook. Entry is included in the same ticket so it’s worth to go take a look if you have the time. It’s a relatively small museum, which was almost empty even during the peak time I visited. Considering how stuffy the air was during my visit, I would want to avoid it when there’s plenty of people!
There’s text in four different languages with the displays and photography is allowed. There’s also toilets near the museum, to its left side in a small “cabin” that might be easy to walk past but you’ll likely avoid lines by going there instead of the other places!
There’s text in four different languages with the displays and photography is allowed. There’s also toilets near the museum, to its left side in a small “cabin” that might be easy to walk past but you’ll likely avoid lines by going there instead of the other places!
Written May 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter L
UK72 contributions
Oct 2021
The museum is set in an impressive building, but many of the exhibits could have been from any archaeological dig in Greece. The information boards were the best part, with an informative history of the sports that were competed for in the Ancient Olympics. You won't need any more than 20-30 minutes, tops.
Written October 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter B
Cincinnati, OH432 contributions
Sept 2021
It is worth coming to Olympia just to see the Hermes statue. It is almost alive, the work of true genius. The recreation of the pediment statues is wonderful, too. You can get so close. It give you a better idea of what it looks like than what you can see at the Acropolis Museum.
An hour is sufficient to view the museum.
An hour is sufficient to view the museum.
Written October 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
worldsongmom
Cincinnati, OH57 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Only 7 athletic events in these Olympics - held every 4 years, just as in modern times. We were fortunate to have the Olympic Stadium to experience with only about 30 people. During the summer, it is easily about 3,000 or more. It was incredible to see where the first Olympics took place and discover that the Olympic flame that travels the world originates from this park.
Written March 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon G
Sturgeon Bay, WI7 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
A walk around the Olympic grounds isn't complete without a visit inside the museum. While simplistic in design, the museum does a remarkable job of telling the ancient Olympic story through its amazing collection of artifacts.
Written December 23, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susannah P
Tiverton, UK2,279 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
An excellent museum describing the history of the ancient Olympic games.
Very good displays, very informative.
Very good displays, very informative.
Written October 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
slam doc
Calgary, Canada192 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Such a lovely site and history behind it. Only if it could be modernized to relay better with the visitors. No audio visual free or paid, no computerised animations to illustrate. No video theatre. No human guide. No teaching walk path. No water or beverage for the thirsty visitors on a 38C day. A long walk from the parking lot to the site on a sunny day.
No brochures mo pamphlets.
A very small museum shop with hardly anything there, but very nice staff.
Like many Greek heritage, this needs a modernized fix and attitude. Great history, great venue.
No brochures mo pamphlets.
A very small museum shop with hardly anything there, but very nice staff.
Like many Greek heritage, this needs a modernized fix and attitude. Great history, great venue.
Written August 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jellybellydancer
Burscough, UK1,444 contributions
Aug 2019
Entry to this museum, together with the Archaeological museum is included in your ticket to Ancient Olympia and it provides a bit of air-conditioned respite from the heat outside.
It focuses on the ancient games, with only scant reference to the modern games. It details how the games started with only 4 events, foot racing, wrestling, boxing and chariot racing, held on one day every 4 years. All competitors (men only) had to take an oath to put aside any differences, abide by the rules and not to commit foul play, the same principles that are still at the heart of the Olympic Games today.
No medals were awarded to the winners, instead they were crowned with a wild olive wreath from the a tree near the Temple of Zeus, another custom that has continued to this day, albeit is now a laurel wreath.
The displays included a bronze chariot wheel and discuses together with pottery, sculptures and a mosaic depicting the athletes and the games.
It is well worth visiting.
It focuses on the ancient games, with only scant reference to the modern games. It details how the games started with only 4 events, foot racing, wrestling, boxing and chariot racing, held on one day every 4 years. All competitors (men only) had to take an oath to put aside any differences, abide by the rules and not to commit foul play, the same principles that are still at the heart of the Olympic Games today.
No medals were awarded to the winners, instead they were crowned with a wild olive wreath from the a tree near the Temple of Zeus, another custom that has continued to this day, albeit is now a laurel wreath.
The displays included a bronze chariot wheel and discuses together with pottery, sculptures and a mosaic depicting the athletes and the games.
It is well worth visiting.
Written August 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2020VacationLover
107 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
A must to see prior to visiting the Olympic Site. The Museum of the Olympic Games is very well layed out and will explain everything that you will see at the Olympic site.
Written July 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol H
Newton, NJ120 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Olympia is the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. The Olympic torch begins here to this day. Zeus held the first Olympic Games to celebrate beating his father, Cronos, at wrestling. The Olympic site itself was actually a religious center as well as an athletic training center. Athletes trained in the nude to show off their muscular physiques. Competitions were also held in the nude. Competitors disrobed and ran the long corridor into the stadium to be greeted by the cheering crowds. In ancient Greece only free born Greeks were allowed to compete. When the Romans conquered Greece the rules were changed to include Roman citizens. At no point were women or slaves allowed to even enter the Olympic stadium, even as spectators.
The statue of Zeus contained 500 pounds of gold. Made of ivory, it was encrusted with diamonds, rubies and sapphires. The sparkling jewels made Zeus appear alive in the sunlight.
In the 5th C A.D. the statue of Zeus was burned down. Earthquakes further damaged the site and floods buried the site under 25 feet of mud. This statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This huge ivory and gold statue was actually bigger than that of Athena in the Parthenon. Unfortunately the only knowledge left of its existence is the remains of the sculptor's workshop at Olympia, discovered in the 1950's.
This tour will take up at least half a day. There are plenty of roads to wander in an almost park like setting. It is quite easy to imagine athletes training in their chosen disciplines. There are numerous places to buy snacks and refreshments. There are also several quality souvenir shops. The tee shirts I was able to find for my grandons were embroidered-not stamped.
The statue of Zeus contained 500 pounds of gold. Made of ivory, it was encrusted with diamonds, rubies and sapphires. The sparkling jewels made Zeus appear alive in the sunlight.
In the 5th C A.D. the statue of Zeus was burned down. Earthquakes further damaged the site and floods buried the site under 25 feet of mud. This statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This huge ivory and gold statue was actually bigger than that of Athena in the Parthenon. Unfortunately the only knowledge left of its existence is the remains of the sculptor's workshop at Olympia, discovered in the 1950's.
This tour will take up at least half a day. There are plenty of roads to wander in an almost park like setting. It is quite easy to imagine athletes training in their chosen disciplines. There are numerous places to buy snacks and refreshments. There are also several quality souvenir shops. The tee shirts I was able to find for my grandons were embroidered-not stamped.
Written July 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Is this where I can see all the torches ever used at Olympic games?
Written February 2, 2015
this is a place where all the torches were lit, that's why you can not see them anymore; this is just a starting point for their journey, that's correct.
Written February 2, 2015
Where are all the torches used at each Olympic games displayed?
Written February 2, 2015
Most are in the small museum attached to the Panathenaic Stadium located in Athens and definitely worth a visit. Many of the official art and posters located here as well.
Written June 15, 2016
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