Ancient Corinth, Temple of Hera, Blue Lake full day private tour from Athens

9 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Athens. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Cross the impressive Corinth Canal
  • 02 Explore the ruins of Ancient Corinth
  • 03 Visit the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth
  • 04 See the Temple of Apollo dating to 550 BC
  • 05 Admire views from Acrocorinth
  • 06 Discover scenic Lake Vouliagmeni
  • 07 Visit the Heraion of Perachora sanctuary
  • 08 Enjoy a private full-day tour from Athens

Discover some of the Peloponnese’s most fascinating historic and coastal landmarks on this private full-day journey from Athens. Travel across the dramatic Corinth Canal, explore the ancient city of Corinth and its archaeological museum, and see the Temple of Apollo beneath the towering Acrocorinth.

The day continues to the peaceful shores of Lake Vouliagmeni and the Heraion of Perachora, where mythology, archaeology, and natural scenery come together. With private transportation and the flexibility of a private tour, this experience offers a comfortable way to explore classical Greece beyond the capital.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 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

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 kilometers (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.

Lake Vouliagmeni

Lake Vouliagmeni is a lagoon located 16 kilometers northwest of Loutraki, very close to the area of ​​the archaeological site of Heraion and the settlement of Perachora. It has a maximum length of 2 km and a maximum width of about 1 km. Its depth does not exceed 40 meters. It has a sandy beach in contrast to the beach of Loutraki. It communicates with the waters of the Corinthian Gulf through a very narrow canal whose width does not exceed 6 meters.

In ancient times it was called Eschatiotis but also Gorgopis, a name it took from Gorgi, daughter of Megareas who drowned in the lake. Traces of human settlement of the Early Helladic period have been found in the area near the narrow channel of the lake, a sign that the area has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC.

Heraion of Perachora

The Heraion of Perachora is a sanctuary of the goddess Hera situated in a small cove of the Corinthian gulf at the end of the Perachora peninsula. In addition to a temple of Hera of unusual construction and antiquity, the remains of a number of other structures have also been found, including an L-shaped stoa, a large cistern, dining rooms, and a second potential temple. Although there is debate between Argos, Megara and Corinth, the sanctuary was probably under the control of Corinth, as it faced the harbors of that powerful city across the Corinthian gulf. Cult activity at the site continued from perhaps the 9th century BCE to 146 BCE, when the Roman general Mummius sacked Corinth during the war with the Achaean League. In the Roman period, domestic structures were built on the site, indicating that the area was no longer a sanctuary. This site is significant for the study of the origins of Greek temple architecture and rural cults.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Athens. 3 cities · 9 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

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

What's Not Included

  • Licensed tour guide (upon request and depending on availability)
  • Gratuities
  • Ancient Corinth & Archaeological Museum of Corinth (can be purchased on-site)

What to bring

  • Comfortable clothing
  • Athletic/ walking shoes are recommended
  • Hats, sunglasses and suntan lotion are highly recommended

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 private tour is exclusively for your group, ensuring a personalized and flexible experience. Pickup time can be adjusted upon request.
  • Your driver can pick you up and drop you off either at the same location or at different locations of your choice within Athens.
  • * Hotel pickups: Your driver will be waiting in the hotel lobby.
  • * Apartment pickups: Your driver will be waiting outside the building entrance.
  • * Cruise port pickups: Your driver will meet you at the disembarkation gate, holding a sign with your name for easy identification.
  • * Airport pickups: Your driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. We monitor all incoming flights to ensure a timely pickup, even in case of delays.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Athens.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Athens.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Athens..

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