Is the Temple of Bassae worth a day trip from Olympia?

Yes — the Temple of Apollo at Bassae is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples in existence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits at 1,131 metres in the Arcadian mountains, 66km from Olympia (about 1 hour by car). The temple is distinctive for its north-south orientation (most Greek temples face east), its unusual mix of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns, and its remote mountain setting. It is currently under a protective tent while restoration work continues; the tent somewhat affects the visual impact but the temple itself is superb.

What is Kaiafas Lake?

Kaiafas is a coastal lagoon 30km southwest of Olympia, separated from the sea by a narrow sand bar. The lake is known for its thermal springs — sulphurous warm water that emerges in a sea cave on the lake's edge, historically used for therapeutic bathing. The area around the lake is part of a protected wetland and wildlife reserve. The sea beach on the barrier island is one of the cleanest and least crowded on the western Peloponnese coast.

How far is Patras from Olympia?

Patras is approximately 75km north of Olympia — about 1 hour by car via the E55. Greece's third-largest city and main western port, Patras is most useful as a transport hub (ferries to Italy and the Ionian islands depart from here) but also has a significant archaeological museum, a Roman odeon, and a Byzantine-era castle. The city's Carnival (February–March) is one of the largest in Europe.

Day Trips from Olympia | The Greece Guides

Olympia is located in the western Peloponnese — a less visited part of the peninsula compared to the more famous Argolid sites (Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplio) and the Mani. But the area around Olympia has its own strong set of day trip options: thermal lake bathing, one of the most isolated ancient temples in Greece, a good coastline, and the main city of western Greece. Here are the best day trips from Olympia.

Kaiafas Lake and Thermal Springs

Distance from Olympia: 30km southwest. Approximately 30 minutes by car via the coast road.

Kaiafas is a lagoon enclosed between the Ionian Sea and a forested ridge, with warm sulphurous springs emerging in a cave at the water’s edge. The springs have been used since antiquity — ancient texts mention pilgrims bathing here, and the waters were believed to have curative properties. The cave (Anigrides Cave) is accessible by a short boat ride or footpath from the lakeside; the thermal water emerges at approximately 28–30°C.

The sea beach (Zaharo / Kaiafas beach): On the seaward side of the sand bar — one of the best beaches in the western Peloponnese. Wide, sandy, and clear, with shallow water. Sunbed hire approximately EUR 8–10 per pair per day as of 2026. Far less crowded than the Argolid or Mani beaches in summer.

Kaiafas spa facilities: A basic spa complex operates at the lakeside during summer (approximately EUR 6–10 for access to the thermal pools as of 2026). The full experience — swimming in the thermal cave — requires the boat transfer; organised by the site management.

Temple of Apollo at Bassae

Distance from Olympia: 66km southeast (via Pyrgos and Andritsaina). Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car.

The Temple of Bassae, built around 420 BCE (attributed by Pausanias to the architect Iktinos, who also worked on the Parthenon), sits at 1,131 metres in the Arcadian mountains — the highest ancient temple in Greece. It was built by the people of Phigalia as an offering to Apollo for delivering them from plague. The temple’s remote location, extraordinary preservation, and architectural innovations make it one of the great ancient monuments in Greece.

Key features: The temple faces north rather than east (unusual); it combines Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders in a single building (one of the earliest known uses of Corinthian columns); and it originally contained a famous sculpted frieze (now in the British Museum) showing the Battle of the Lapiths and Centaurs.

Practical note: The temple is currently protected by a large tent while restoration continues. The tent is not visually ideal but provides good light for seeing the architectural details. The approach road from Andritsaina (the nearest village, 14km away) is winding and narrow but paved throughout.

Entry: Approximately EUR 6 as of 2026. Open daily approximately 8am–5pm.

Andritsaina village: The mountain village at the base of the Bassae approach road is worth a stop for its traditional architecture, central plane-tree square, and the old Library of Andritsaina (an 18th-century collection housed in a historic building). Several good village tavernas serve lunch.

Zacharo and the Western Coast

Distance from Olympia: 35–45km southwest via the coast road.

The town of Zacharo is the main settlement on the western Peloponnese coast south of Pyrgos, with a long sandy beach and a small fishing harbour. The area is undeveloped by Greek coastal resort standards — limited tourist infrastructure, quiet beaches, and a local rather than tourist atmosphere.

Zacharo beach: 3km of sand with clean water; sunbed hire available in summer. Free public access sections are easy to find.

Kakovatos: A nearby small village with the remains of an ancient Mycenaean settlement (ruins visible but not excavated to major site standards) and a clean beach below.

The entire stretch of coastline between Kyparissia (45km south of Zacharo) and Killini (50km north of Zacharo) has broadly similar beach character — sandy, relatively uncrowded, and accessible only by car.

Patras

Distance from Olympia: 75km north via the E55. Approximately 1 hour by car.

Patras is Greece’s third-largest city and the main port for western Greece. The city itself is spread across a steep hillside below a Byzantine castle and has a working, non-touristic character that contrasts pleasantly with the ancient-site-focused small towns of the Peloponnese.

Patras Castle (Kastro): A Byzantine fortress rebuilt in multiple periods, with good views over the city and harbour. Entry free; accessible daily.

Roman Odeon of Patras: An intact Roman theatre in the lower city, still used for summer performances. Entry approximately EUR 4 as of 2026.

Archaeological Museum of Patras: One of the largest in Greece, opened in 2009 in a purpose-built building, covering prehistoric through Byzantine periods with particular strength in Roman-era material. Entry approximately EUR 8 as of 2026.

Ferry connections: Patras is the gateway for ferries to Venice, Ancona, Bari, and Brindisi in Italy, and to the Ionian islands (Kefalonia, Ithaka, Zakynthos, Corfu). If you are travelling onward by ferry, Patras is the embarkation point.

Ancient Messene via Pyrgos

Distance from Olympia: 80km south via Pyrgos and Kalamata direction. Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.

Ancient Messene (see also the Kalamata day trips guide) is reachable from Olympia in a day, although it requires a longer drive than from Kalamata. The site has the best-preserved city walls in ancient Greece (9km circuit), a theatre, and a well-regarded on-site museum. Entry approximately EUR 12 as of 2026.

For what to see at the ancient Olympic site — the Temple of Zeus, original stadium, and the Hermes of Praxiteles — see our things to do in Olympia guide. For where to eat in the village, see our Olympia restaurants guide.

Book Olympia tours with GetYourGuide. Compare car hire options in Greece — essential for exploring beyond the main towns. Pick up a Greece eSIM before you fly — keeps you connected without roaming charges.

Day Trips from Olympia: Kaiafas Lake, Bassae Temple, Patras, and the Ionian Coast

Things to do here

Kaiafas Lake and Thermal Springs

Temple of Apollo at Bassae

Zacharo and the Western Coast

Patras

Ancient Messene via Pyrgos

See Also

Frequently Asked Questions