Delphi is the great Panhellenic sanctuary of Apollo, at the foot of Mount Parnassus in central Greece: the site of the most famous oracle of antiquity. The single ticket from the Greek Ministry of Culture, at €20, gives access to the archaeological site and the museum. In the summer season (April 1 to October 31), the site is open from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Tuesdays from 10 am to 5 pm. This page brings together the official information, a route around the site, light hours month by month and the mistakes to avoid when visiting Delphi.
Delphi is often visited from Athens: see our guide to visiting Athens, the Acropolis, our Greece travel guide and the best time to visit Greece.
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Delphi: key facts
- Summer season (April 1 – October 31): 8 am – 8 pm; Tuesday 10 am – 5 pm — checked on 24 October 2026 on archaeologicalmuseums.culture.gov.gr (page updated on September 8, 2026)
- Winter season (November to March): reduced hours; they were not readable on the official page on 24 October 2026, so check before you go
- Ticket: €20, archaeological museum and site included; e-ticket available
- Museum: ramp, lift, braille signage, tactile materials, accessible restrooms
- Contact: Ephorate of Antiquities of Phocis, Delphi 33054, tel. +30 22650 82312
Tickets for Delphi: official or reseller?
The official ticket is sold at the entrance and as an e-ticket through the Ministry’s link. It covers the museum and the site. Many agencies sell day trips from Athens: check whether the entrance ticket is included (it is not always), the language of the guide, the time actually spent at the site and in the museum, and any additional stops.
A sanctuary at the « center of the world »
According to the Greek Ministry of Culture’s notice (archaeologist E. Partida), the Greeks regarded Delphi as the center of the world: according to myth, two eagles released by Zeus at the ends of the universe met there. The site was first dedicated to Mother Earth and guarded by the serpent Python, killed by Apollo. The cult of Apollo took hold there in the 8th century BC; the oracle, delivered by the Pythia and interpreted by the priests, reached its peak between the 6th and 4th centuries BC. The Pythian Games were held there every four years.
The Ministry’s notice also describes the sanctuary’s political role: it was the center of the Amphictyony, an association of twelve tribes of Thessaly and central Greece that controlled its operation and finances. Two sacred wars, in the mid-5th and 4th centuries BC, were fought for its control. The sanctuary was later plundered by Sulla in 86 BC and visited by Pausanias, whose detailed description still helps reconstruct the site; the oracle was then abolished by the emperor Theodosius.
In 1891, the Greek State granted the French School at Athens a long-term excavation permit; the village of Kastri, built on the ruins, was then moved for the « Great Excavation », which brought to light about three thousand inscriptions. The French School and the Greek Archaeological Service continue the research today. The Treasury of the Athenians is the only monument well enough preserved to have been almost entirely reassembled, between 1903 and 1906.
Suggested route around the site
- The Sacred Way, which climbs in zigzags between the treasuries offered by the Greek cities.
- The Treasury of the Athenians, rebuilt in the early 20th century.
- The Temple of Apollo, partially restored, the heart of the sanctuary and seat of the oracle.
- The theater, above the temple, with its view over the valley.
- The stadium, at the very top, for the more adventurous: the slope is steep.
- The sanctuary of Athena Pronaia and its tholos, a little lower down the road, separate from the main site.
- The museum, which presents the history of the sanctuary from the 2nd millennium BC to late antiquity.
The Temple of Apollo is built on a very steep slope of Parnassus, which peaks at 2,459 m (8,068 ft), according to Wikipedia. Bring good shoes, water and a hat in summer: the climb from the Sacred Way to the stadium is exposed.
When to visit Delphi: hours and light
The table cross-references the official summer-season hours with sunrise and sunset on the 15th of each month, calculated at the coordinates of the site. In summer, the site opens well after sunrise: arriving at 8 am lets you climb to the stadium before the hottest hours.
| Month | Hours (except Tuesday) | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | see official site | 7:46 am | 5:32 pm |
| February | see official site | 7:21 am | 6:07 pm |
| March | see official site | 6:41 am | 6:36 pm |
| April | 8 am – 8 pm | 6:54 am | 8:06 pm |
| May | 8 am – 8 pm | 6:18 am | 8:34 pm |
| June | 8 am – 8 pm | 6:05 am | 8:55 pm |
| July | 8 am – 8 pm | 6:17 am | 8:53 pm |
| August | 8 am – 8 pm | 6:43 am | 8:24 pm |
| September | 8 am – 8 pm | 7:11 am | 7:38 pm |
| October | 8 am – 8 pm | 7:38 am | 6:52 pm |
| November | see official site | 7:11 am | 5:17 pm |
| December | see official site | 7:39 am | 5:10 pm |
Destination de Voyage calculation: from April to August the sun sets after the 8 pm closing; in September and October it sets before (around 7:40 pm and 6:50 pm on the 15th of the month), which shortens the visit in natural light. On Tuesdays opening hours are shorter (10 am – 5 pm): avoid that day if you arrive late. For the climate, see the best time to visit Greece.
Getting to Delphi
Delphi is in central Greece, in the region of Phocis. You get there by car, by regular coach from Athens or on an organized excursion. We give no journey time for lack of an official source: check schedules with the carriers and allow a full day from Athens.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Coming on a Tuesday late in the afternoon: the site closes at 5 pm that day in the summer season.
- Buying an excursion assuming admission is included: check, the official ticket costs €20.
- Forgetting the museum: the ticket includes it, and it holds the sanctuary’s major works.
- Climbing to the stadium in the heat without water.
- Trusting winter hours found online: they change, so check the official page.
What to see nearby
Delphi combines with Athens and its Acropolis, and with the north of the country via Thessaloniki. For the rest of your trip and the islands, see our Greece travel guide and our cruises in Greece. See entry requirements for Greece on our country page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get into Delphi?
€20, for the archaeological museum and the site, according to the official page of the Greek Ministry of Culture consulted on 24 October 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Delphi site?
From April 1 to October 31: 8 am – 8 pm, on Tuesdays 10 am – 5 pm. Winter hours are reduced: check them on the Ministry’s website.
How long should you allow for Delphi?
Allow half a day for the site, the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia and the museum; more if you climb to the stadium.
Can you visit Delphi from Athens in a day?
Yes, it is the most common option, by car, coach or organized excursion. Check the return times.
Is the Delphi museum accessible to visitors with disabilities?
The museum lists a ramp, a lift, accessible restrooms, braille signage and tactile materials. The steeply sloping site is more difficult.
Why was Delphi famous?
For the oracle of Apollo, delivered by the Pythia and consulted by cities and individuals from all over the Greek world, and for the Pythian Games.
Our sources
- Greek Ministry of Culture, Directorate of Archaeological Museums (archaeologicalmuseums.culture.gov.gr): Delphi Archaeological Museum page (summer hours, ticket, services), consulted on 24 October 2026
- Greek Ministry of Culture, Odysseus portal: « Delphi » notice, history (E. Partida), consulted on 24 October 2026
- French Wikipedia article « Delphes » (Parnassus, coordinates), consulted on 24 October 2026
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of Delphi (Wikipedia) (15th of each month, year 2027, clear horizon)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.