Greece · Archaeology

Ancient Corinth and Canal half day private tour from Athens

5 Hours Pickup service provided in Athens. to Drop-off service provided in Athens. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Private half-day tour from Athens to Corinth
  • 02 See the dramatic Corinth Canal from above
  • 03 Visit Ancient Corinth, one of Greece’s most important ancient cities
  • 04 Explore a site closely connected with Saint Paul and early Christianity
  • 05 View the Temple of Apollo and the archaeological remains
  • 06 Discover the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth
  • 07 Admire Acrocorinth towering over the ancient city
  • 08 Enjoy private transportation with pickup and drop-off included

Discover some of the most important historic landmarks just beyond Athens on this private half-day journey to Corinth. Travel to the famous Corinth Canal for sweeping views over the narrow waterway, then continue to Ancient Corinth, one of the great city-states of the ancient Greek world and a place closely connected with Saint Paul and early Christianity.

Explore the archaeological site and museum area at your own pace, including highlights such as the Temple of Apollo and the wider remains of the ancient city, with Acrocorinth rising above the landscape. With private transportation, hotel or port pickup and drop-off, and an experienced driver sharing commentary along the way, this tour offers a comfortable and flexible introduction to one of Greece’s most significant historical destinations.

Discover some of the most important historic landmarks just beyond Athens on this private half-day journey to Corinth.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Athens, Corinth, Ancient Corinth
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Athens

You will get picked up from your hotel, apartment, Airbnb, Athens airport, or Piraeus port.

Corinth canal

The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for many modern ships.

From high up, you can enjoy the best view of Corinth's isthmus and admire the steep limestone walls while you observe the vessels below you navigate their way through the canal.

Ancient Corinth

Corinth was a city-state on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta. The modern city of Corinth is located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) northeast of the ancient ruins.

For Christians, Corinth is well known from the two letters of Saint Paul in the New Testament, First and Second Corinthians. Corinth is also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as part of Paul the Apostle's missionary travels. In addition, the second book of Pausanias' Description of Greece is devoted to Corinth.

Ancient Corinth was one of the largest and most important cities of Greece, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC. The Romans demolished Corinth in 146 BC, built a new city in its place in 44 BC, and later made it the provincial capital of Greece.

Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth

The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth was constructed between 1931-1932, with intentions to display the numerous recent archaeological excavations. The museum is located within the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, Greece, and lies under the jurisdiction of the 37th Ephoreia of the Greek Archaeological Service.

Key aspects of the Archaeological site of Ancient Corinth include:

  • Hadgimoustafa spring
  • Lechaion Road
  • Basilica
  • Fountain of Peirene
  • Stoa
  • Agora
  • Odien
  • Other temples
  • Theatre

Temple of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo at Corinth was constructed in 550 BC.

Akrokorinthos

Acrocorinth, "Upper Corinth", the acropolis of ancient Corinth, is a monolithic rock overseeing the ancient city of Corinth, Greece.

With its secure water supply, Acrocorinth's fortress was repeatedly used as a last line of defense in southern Greece because it commanded the Isthmus of Corinth, repelling foes from entry by land into the Peloponnese peninsula.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Pickup service provided in Athens. to Drop-off service provided in Athens. 3 cities · 5 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
  • Hotel/ port pickup and drop-off
  • Private transportation
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • WiFi on board
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch (With Greek Traditional Food option)

What's Not Included

  • Licensed tour guide (upon request and depending on availability)
  • Gratuities
  • Airport pick-up/ drop-off (additional cost upon request)
  • Ancient Corinth & Archaeological Museum of Corinth (can be purchased on-site)

Know before you go

  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
  • Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.
  • This is a private tour. Only your group will participate. The pick-up time is adjustable upon your request. Your personal driver will pick you up and return you to the same place or to the point you prefer. In case of a hotel, he will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. In case of an apartment, he will be waiting for you at the entrance of the building. For port pick-up, he will be waiting for you at the gate, just as you disembark, holding a sign with your name on it to spot him upon arrival.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Athens.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Athens.
Tour end
Drop-off service provided in Athens.
End of the journey

Your 5 hours run from Pickup service provided in Athens. to Drop-off service provided in Athens..

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