Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian's Arch
The colossal remaining columns of what was once the largest temple in Greece, beside Hadrian's triumphal arch.
The call
Worth it if you are watching the budget and you only have one day.
Why
- 01
The surviving 15-or-so columns are genuinely enormous and humbling up close, with the Acropolis as a backdrop.
Our read - 02
The catch: only a fraction of the original 104 columns survive, the field is small, and you can read the whole thing from the fence and Hadrian's Arch for free in five minutes — so the ticket is a tougher sell.
Our read
Is it a fit?
Go if
This is your first trip to Athens
Striking from the fence and Hadrian's Arch for free; only pay in if you have the combo ticket.
You are watching the budget
Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian's Arch earns the spend, even on a tight budget.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian's Arch.
You are traveling as a couple
As a couple, Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian's Arch is an easy yes.
Plan it well
- Cost
- €8 (summer) / €4 winter; included in €30 combo ticket
- Timing
- Early or late to avoid the shadeless midday glare.
- Booking
- Single ticket or included in the €30 combo ticket; the arch is free to view.
- Allow
- 30–45 min
- Getting there
- Two minutes from Acropoli metro, beside busy Amalias Avenue.
Consider instead
Sources and method (3)
- Only 15 of the original 104 columns still stand; the 16th fell in a storm in 1852. introducingathens.com ↗
- Begun in the 6th c. BC and finally completed by Hadrian in 131/132 AD; among the largest temples of the ancient world. temple-of-zeus.com ↗
- Adult admission €8 summer / €4 winter. acropolis-athens-tickets.com ↗