The temple of Delphi was the most sacred site of the ancient, Greek world. The Olympian God, Zeus ordained it as the center of the universe. People from all over the world made pilgrimages here to seek answers from the Oracle of Delphi. Today, the Delphi ruins are one of the most popular tours in Greece. The archeological site is a World Heritage Site, all surrounded by beautiful mountains. Moreover, the natural wonder here enhances the sacred meaning of the site. I took a day tour from Athens and love sharing tips. Read on and discover from my Delphi, Greece day tour guide.
Related: Athens in 10 Days: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Greece’s Classical City
About Delphi
This was a sacred area on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus during ancient Greek times. The God, Zeus marked it as the center or navel of the Greek world. According to legend, Zeus had 2 eagles from both ends of the world fly at same time. The eagles met over Delphi. Importantly, Delphi was the seat of Pythia, the high priestess who ancient Greeks consulted about life questions.
Fun Fact: The Pythia or high priestess likely inhaled hydrocarbon gases leaking from fault lines. These vapors put them into prophetic trances at the Oracle of Delphi.
The site is marked with important monuments and mythical temples from the ancient Greek city-states. Apollo was the Patron of the Delphic Oracle. It communicated divine knowledge and the will of Zeus to mortals. Moreover, the famous maxim “Know Thyself” was engraved on the temple entrance. Other well known maxims here include “Nothing in Excess” and “Give a Pledge and Trouble is Near.”
Today, Delphi is an archeological UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, onsite is the Delphi Museum, housing important artifacts. It lies in Parnassos National Park near a small town of the same name.
Getting to Delphi:
Many tour options take you to Delphi from Athens. They can range from a day tour or overnight stay in the town of Delphi. Some tours also include the sacred site Meteora. Bus tours or renting a car are the only way to get to this mountainous area. The scenic ride from Athens is about 2 hours.
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Delphi, Greece Day Tour Guide
Because Delphi is along Mt. Parnassos, these sites are seen in order, climbing stairs up the mountainside. At the entrance on the upper site the path is called the Sacred Way. In front of the entrance is the Roman Forum ruins. During the Roman era, it housed workshops to make goods for pilgrims.
Omphalos of Delphi
Just after the entrance stands the Omphalos of Delphi, marking the center or “belly button” of the ancient world. Omphalos means navel in Greece. On site is a stone marker. Don’t miss the more decorative marble original in the Delphi Museum.
Athenian Treasury and Votive Statues
As you climb the hill almost to the Apollo Sanctuary, there are treasuries and votive statues. The one restored best is the Athenian Treasury, commemorating the Greeks victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. These buildings housed the offerings made to Apollo, thanking the oracle for advice.
The Stoa of the Athenians stands against the polygonal wall that support the terrace for Apollo temple. The wall behind the stoa has hundreds of contracts carved in stone, freeing slaves sold to Apollo. Overall, there are 6,000 inscriptions on the wall. Ninety percent of these are names of guests and visitors to Delphi.
Temple of Apollo
As the Olympian God of prophecy, reason, music and light, Apollo’s temple is the most significant monument at Delphi. Built in the 4th century BC, it was a Doric building. Apollo was worshiped 9 warmest months of the year at the sanctuary. The other 3 winter months, the Greeks worshipped Dionysus, the God of mystery cults.
Apollo’s priestesses were called the Pythia, serving as the oracle for the Temple of Apollo. Greeks and non-Greeks traveled to Delphi from all over the world to consult the oracle for life questions. The Altar of the Chians was the main altar at the Temple of Apollo.
Delphi Theatre and Stadium
From the Temple of Apollo, the path takes you up stairs to the ancient theatre of Delphi. It was used for the vocal and musical contests in the Pythian Games from the late Hellenistic and Roman Periods. Seating almost 5,000 spectators, it overlooked Apollo’s Temple and the valley.
Even further up the mountainside from the theatre is the stadium. Built partially into the rock, the stadium seated 6,500 spectators with a large track. It hosted the athletic competitions from the Pythian Games every 4 years. Later, Herodes Atticus created stone seating and arched entrance at the site.
Archeological Museum of Delphi
This museum is a 10-minute walk from the upper site entrance. Overall, it houses the significant artifacts from ancient Delphi. Don’t miss these iconic artifacts:
Omphalos of Delphi (original)
Charioteer of Delphi Bronze Statue (rare inlaid glass eyes)
Sphinx of Naxos
Pediment to Temple of Apollo
Kleobis and Biton
Statue of Philosopher (Plutarch or Plato)
Temple of Athena Pronaia “Forethought”
Delphi Greece Day Tour Guide
Unfortunately, we did not go to the “Athena of Forethought” temple. It was closed due to safety concerns from rockfall on the roads to the temple.
Located a half-mile from the main ruins, it’s also part of the World Heritage Site. This circular temple, a tholos, consisted of 20 Doric columns in exterior and 10 Ionic in interior. Three became restored. Overall, it’s one of the most iconic photographs for tourists at Delphi.
Know Thyself at Oracle of Delphi!
Anyone interested in history can’t miss Delphi while in Greece. As the center of the ancient Greek world, it was the most sacred site. Even today, I felt inspired to dive into its essence to “Know Thyself.” Here the Greek mythology comes alive and visitors can relive important Greek history. If your travels bring you to Delphi, feel free to leave tips below.
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