Is Olympia expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Olympia is reasonably priced by Greek standards: cheaper than Athens or the islands for rooms and tavernas, with one main ticket of about €20 in high season for the site and museums. A budget day is about €65 per person, mid-range about €125 and comfort about €255. The extra cost is a rental car for Bassae, Chlemoutsi and the beaches.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €25 | €50 | €110 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €35 | €65 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €15 | €35 |
| Local transport | €10 | €25 | €45 |
| Per person, per day | €65 | €125 | €255 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Olympia day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Site and museums combined ticket, high season | about €20 |
| Souvlaki or gyros in pita | about €3.50–5 |
| Greek salad | about €7–10 |
| Home-style oven dish in a taverna | about €8–13 |
| Half-litre carafe of house wine | about €5–8 |
| Taverna meal with house wine | about €15–25 per person |
| Temple of Apollo at Bassae or Chlemoutsi castle | a few euros each |
| Car hire | about €35–60 a day |
| Small family hotel in the village | roughly €45–75 a room |
| Hotel with a pool on the edge of the village | roughly €75–130 a room |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main cost: about €25 per person sharing in a small family hotel, €50 in a quieter hotel with a pool and €110 in a hillside resort, plus Greece's per-room, per-night climate resilience fee, which is higher from April to October. Food is about €20–35 a day in tavernas and grill shops. Sights cost about €10–15 a day on average, since the €20 combined ticket covers the site and both museums. Transport adds €10–25 a day because Bassae, Chlemoutsi and the beaches need a car.
When it is cheaper
November to March is the cheapest period, with lower room prices and a reduced winter ticket price at many Greek sites; the village is very quiet and the site keeps shorter hours. Prices are highest from June to September.
How to spend less
- Buy the combined ticket for the site and museums rather than separate tickets.
- Check the list of free-entry days at Greek state sites (for example, the first Sunday of the month from November to March); confirm current dates before you go.
- Eat away from the tavernas closest to the site entrance, on the side streets or in Floka and Miraka.
- Share a rental car for Bassae, Andritsaina and Chlemoutsi; there is no practical public transport.
- Buy olive oil from an ordinary food shop or a producer, not in souvenir packaging.
- In Katakolo, ask to see fish weighed and agree the price before it is cooked.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Olympia?
About €65 per person on a budget, about €125 mid-range and about €255 for comfort, including a share of a double room, food, sights and transport.
How much is the ticket for Ancient Olympia?
About €20 in high season for the combined site and museums ticket, with lower prices in winter. Check current prices and free-entry days before you go.
Is Olympia cheaper than Athens?
Generally yes, especially for hotels and tavernas, though you may need a rental car for the surrounding sights.