Formerly part of the territory of Cleonae in the Argolid, it is today in the prefecture of Corinth. The modern village of Iraklion is nearby, while New Nemea is several km to the west.

Nemea was famous in Greek mythology as the home of the Nemean Lion killed by Heracles, and also the place where Io was turned into a cow.

The Nemean Games were held from at least 573 BC at the sanctuary of Zeus at Nemea. A temple of the 4th century BC has been excavated, including the great altar, palaestra, and gymnasium. It stands on the site of an Archaic Era temple, of which only a foundation wall is still visible. The stadion has recently been discovered.