Ancient Corinth in one day from Athens - how to get, what to see and why you should take a guide
The ruins of Ancient Corinth are one of the best and easiest options for a day trip from Athens.
We personally enjoyed it even more than on the crowded Acropolis: Corinth is less well-known, but houses impressive ruins and artifacts from one of the largest cities in classical Greece.
For Christians, this place is especially interesting: the apostle Paul spent about 18 months in Corinth as a missionary and wrote the famous First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians. Walking through the excavations, you can really walk in his footsteps - and with a local guide, stories about the life of the city and the Christian community will sound even more vivid.
Where is it?
Corinth is located at the entrance to the Peloponnese peninsula, about 80 km west of Athens. Ancient Corinth is located outside the modern city of Corinth, about 8 km to the southwest.
How to get there
- On an organized tour. The fastest and most convenient option is to book a tour. GetYourGuide offers one-and-a-half-day bus tours from Athens; there are also full day tours, which additionally include the picturesque Nafplio. We often use GetYourGuide and recommend them.
- By car. Renting a car gives maximum freedom - on an excellent highway from Athens to Corinth to drive about an hour. For rental in Greece, we recommend DiscoverCars.
- Trains. From here, trains run from Larissa station approximately every 2 hours; the journey takes about an hour. Upon arrival at the Corinth station, you will have to take a taxi – about 10 minutes drive before the excavation. Taxis at the station are usually not a problem.
- The bus. KTEL operates buses approximately every hour from Kifisou Bus Station to Isthmus Station, near the Corinth Canal, about an hour away. From Isthmus station to the canal is only about 100 meters, so you can easily combine the canal and the ruins. It is also more convenient to get to the excavations from this station by taxi - about 15 minutes.
What to See in Ancient Corinth
- The Temple of Apollo. The first and most impressive site is the Temple of Apollo with characteristic ancient Greek columns. Built around 560 BC; even a few standing columns give a strong visual impression. Against the background of Mount Acrocorinth, the footage is like a postcard - that very moment of the "Acropolis without crowds."
- Acrocorinth. The fortress on the top of the hill gives an idea of the strategic importance of the city.
- Column fragments and artifacts. The remains of buildings and stone fragments are scattered on the territory - there is something to study and photograph.
- St. Paul's itineraries. For those interested in Biblical history, it is important to walk through places that are associated with his stay in the city.
Practical advice
- Visiting time. For inspection of the excavations and a quiet walk, we recommend to allocate half a day; if you combine with the canal or Nafplion - the whole day.
- Opening hours and tickets. Schedules and prices may change, so check them on official resources before traveling.
- Transport from the station/bus station. Taxis leave quickly - there are usually no problems with them, but at the peak of the season it is worth having time.
- The guide is more interesting. If you want to gain a deeper understanding of Corinth’s history, archaeology, and biblical connections, a guided tour with a local guide will greatly enrich the experience, revealing hidden details and telling local stories you won’t find in the guidebook.
- Comfort and photos. Take comfortable shoes and water - shadow on excavations is rare. An early morning or late afternoon walk will give you the best photos without the bright sun and large crowds.
Combine the route
If you take a tour, check out options that include Nafplion, a beautiful historic city nearby. If you go on your own, it is worth stopping at the Corinth Canal: from Isthmus station it is almost two steps away and makes the trip more eventful.
Ancient Corinth is an excellent combination of archaeology, the history of early Christianity and picturesque views. Plan your trip ahead, grab a map, and if you want to really get a feel for the place, think of a local guide – he’ll add color and context to each ruin.
Text and photo:https://www.personalguide.ru/
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