The optical element includes a base member configured to have an optical surface, a concave-convex structure configured to have an average pitch smaller than a shortest wavelength of a use wavelength range, and an intermediate layer formed between the optical surface and the concave-convex structure, made of a material different from that of the concave-convex structure, and having a refractive index between those of the base member and the material of the concave-convex structure. The optical surface is formed into a shape having a rotational symmetry axis. A thickness of the intermediate layer or each of thicknesses of the intermediate layer and the concave-convex structure varies so as to increase as a distance from the rotational symmetry axis increases. The optical element has good anti-reflection performance not only at a central part of the optical surface having a small curvature radius but also at a peripheral part thereof.