Delphi Destination Guide

For a small destination, Delphi attracts a large number of travellers fascinated by the legend of the Delphic oracle. Reading up on Delphi's history prior to visiting the ruins, will help visitors to appreciate the significance and impact of these ancient Greek relics. Clambering around the ruins under the summer sun can be exhausting, so get there early to beat the heat and the crowds.

Come winter, the slopes of Mount Parnassus will fill with ski enthusiasts. Many travellers love to combine the history of the Delphi Temple with extreme snow sports on the nearby mountain towering over Delphi. 

It can take about 5 to 6 hours to cover the main sites of Delphi depending, of course, on your enthusiasm and endurance!

Our Delphi Destination Guide below will give you an idea of the major Delphi attractions. You can also book one of our interesting tours in Delphi directly with us to see the sights, or take a look at additional insights into other Greece travel experiences.

Things to See & Do in Delphi

Follow the links to the right or scroll further down the page for details on some of the many interesting tourist attractions in Delphi:

The Doric columns of the main temple that remain standing were built in the 4th century BC. Beneath it lie older shrines dating back to the 6th and 7th century. Inside the temple lay the adyton, the sanctum sanctorum of the Delphic oracle. The temple once housed a golden statue of Apollo.

This black marble structure in front of the Delphi temple was funded and built by the Chians. Its base and cornice, made of white marble, present a striking contrast.

Starting at the entrance and going up the slope towards the temple are several buildings known as treasuries. These were constructed by Greek city states such as Thebes and Argos as a mark of gratitude to the Delphic oracle for her timely advice which was believed to have led to military victories. The treasuries once held offerings to Apollo, traditionally one-tenth of the spoils of war. The renovated Treasury of the Athenians has impressive Doric columns embellished with the heroic deeds of Theseus and Hercules.

Parts of a stoa (covered walkway) can be seen in seven fluted ionic columns located northeast from the main temple. This was built by the Athenians to store war trophies. Its rear wall (named the Lesbian Wall as it was funded by the island of Lesbos) features some 800 inscriptions by freed slaves, each of whom had to record his biography and the reason for his being released from bondage.

A half mile away from the main temple is the gymnasium, once used by young athletes, both for education and sports practice. These double storied structures had a stoa on the upper floor and baths and pools known as palaestra on the ground floor. The open space on the upper level was used for running practice. The waters in the pool below were believed to have supernatural powers, imbuing the bather with the power to commune with Apollo himself.

Once, the waters of this sacred spring gushed forth from two enormous fountains in a steep valley in the Phaedriades, the circular site of the sanctuary. Off the modern road is an ancient wall and broken steps that lead to the pool of flowers where Apollo's priestesses once bathed.

Further uphill, past the Sacred Way and the theatre is the stadium, built in the 5th century and renovated in the 2nd century by the Romans, who added stone seating. This was the venue of the Pythian Games, held once in four years to commemorate Apollo's victory over Pytho. The stadium could seat 6,500 people.

Among the most remarkably well preserved remains at Delphi, the Tholos at the temple of Athena Pronaia was once a circular structure with 20 Doric columns. Only three columns remain - they are the most photographed ruins of ancient Delphi!

Museums
Most of the statues and artefacts found at the archaeological site of ancient Delphi are now housed in the Delphi Museum, located on a hill below the ruins. Look for the Siphnean Treasury, the statues of Kleobis and Biton, ivory and gold statues of Apollo and Artemis, his sister. The best known statue here is the bronze of the Delphi charioteer. You can't miss the marble replica of the Omphalos stone, which the priestess would touch while uttering her prophesies. Also worth visiting is the Sikelianos Museum, which displays masks and costumes used in Greek classical drama.

Hiking
Explore Parnassus National Park, a popular spot for mountain climbers. In winter, the snow-clad slopes make it a favourite ski destination.

Nearby towns
Itea is a resort town around 11 miles from Delphi. If you have time to explore the surrounding area, there's Amfissa, famous for green olives, and the ancient cities of Corinth, Mycenae and Patras.