Sanctuary of Apollo: the oracle, the theatre and the stadium

What it is

Delphi was for the Greeks the centre of the world, the navel of the Earth, and its oracle of Apollo was consulted before founding a city or going to war. The sanctuary rises in terraces up the slope of Parnassus, below the Phaedriades rocks: you enter at the bottom and the Sacred Way zigzags between the treasuries that cities built for their offerings, such as that of the Athenians, to the Doric temple of Apollo, where the Pythia spoke. Higher up is the theatre, with the view over the valley, and at the very top, the stadium of the Pythian Games.

Hours and tickets

• 1 April to 31 August: 8:00 to 20:00.
• September: until 19:30 in the first half and 19:00 in the second.
• October: until 18:30 in the first half and 18:00 in the second.
• 1 November to 31 March: 8:30 to 15:30.

Last entry is 20 minutes before closing. The ticket, €20 (reduced €10), is valid for the site and the museum. It is free on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and, from November to March, the first and third Sunday of each month. Closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25 and 26 December. There is parking, toilets and wifi.

How to visit

From the village of Delphi you get there in 15 minutes on foot or 5 by car. Climb first thing, all the way to the stadium, and then go down to the museum, which has shade and air conditioning. In summer, starting at 8:00 makes the difference.