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    Corinth

    Greece

    Corinth

    City

    Corinth is situated on the Isthmus, the narrowest point between the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland, and thus controlled traffic between two seas for centuries.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Greece
    7. Peloponnese
    9. Corinth
    Corinth is situated on the Isthmus, the narrowest point between the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland, and thus controlled traffic between two seas for centuries. The ancient city was destroyed by Rome in 146 BC and re-established as a colony a century later; it was here that the Apostle Paul preached. The Temple of Apollo, the Acrocorinth fortress, and the canal opened in 1893 represent three very different eras in one place.

    Sights in Corinth

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Antikes Korinth

    1Antikes Korinth

    In antiquity, Corinth, with its two harbors, controlled trade across the Isthmus and was among the wealthiest city-states of Greece. In 146 BC, the Romans under Lucius Mummius destroyed the city; in 44 BC, Caesar refounded it as a Roman colony, and most of the ruins date from this period. Above the Forum stand seven monolithic Doric columns of the Temple of Apollo from the mid-6th century BC. On the Forum lies the Bema, the speaker's platform, where, according to the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostle Paul stood before Governor Gallio; also present are the Peirene Spring and the Lechaion Road. The on-site museum is included in the entrance fee, and above all rises the rock of Acrocorinth.
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    Akrokorinth

    2Akrokorinth

    Acrocorinth is the approximately 575-meter-high limestone rock above ancient Corinth, which has served as a fortress since antiquity. On its summit stood a temple of Aphrodite, later followed by Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, and Ottoman fortifications. Three successive rings of walls, each with a gate, protect the access on the west side. Within the walls are remains of churches, mosques, cisterns, and the Upper Peirene Spring. From above, the view extends over the Isthmus to the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf; the paths on the site are stony and uneven.
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    Kanal von Korinth

    3Kanal von Korinth

    The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus for 6.3 kilometers, making the Peloponnese, strictly speaking, an island. Periander, Caligula, and Nero already planned the cut, with Nero even starting construction in 67 AD, but it was only completed from 1881 to 1893. The rock walls rise up to 79 meters above the water, with a width of only about 21 meters at the base. This narrowness prevents large cargo ships from passing, so today primarily excursion boats, yachts, and smaller vessels traverse it. The old national road bridge offers great views, and at both ends there are submersible bridges that are lowered into the water for passage. Following landslides, the canal was repeatedly closed for extended periods from 2021; check operations beforehand.
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    4Kalamia Beach

    Kalamia is the city beach of Corinth on the Gulf of Corinth, on the western edge of the city center. The beach consists of pebbles and sand; along the coastal road are cafés and tavernas. In summer, sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent. Across the water, you gaze north to the mainland mountains.
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    Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth

    5Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth

    The museum is located within the archaeological site and is included in the entrance fee. Built in 1931 with funds from American excavations, it houses finds in three wings: Greek ceramics and bronzes, Roman sculptures from the Forum and Theater, and votive offerings from the Asklepieion. Notable are the clay models of body parts, which the sick dedicated to the healing god, and mosaic floors from Roman residences. The courtyard with statues is covered and offers shade. Allow 45 minutes and start with the museum when the sun is high over the site.
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    Isthmia and the Poseidon Shrine

    6Isthmia and the Poseidon Shrine

    At the eastern end of the canal was the sanctuary of Poseidon, host of the Isthmian Games, one of the four Panhellenic contests alongside Olympia, Delphi, and Nemea, held every two years. Preserved are the foundations of the Poseidon Temple from the 7th century BC, the stadium with an intact starting mechanism, and remnants of the Roman bath with a mosaic floor. A small museum at the entrance displays finds from the sanctuary and from the sunken harbor of Kenchreai. The site is little visited and lies off the main routes; a car is practically necessary. An hour is sufficient for the site and museum.
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    Restaurants & Cafes

    1

    Marinos Restaurant

    The Marinos is located on Apollonos in the village of Archaia Korinthos, not far from the excavations of ancient Corinth. The cuisine is Greek, and outdoor tables are available.
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    2

    Taverna Gemelos

    The Taverna Gemelos is located on Apollonos in the village of Archaia Korinthos, near the excavations of ancient Corinth. It serves Greek home-style cooking.
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    3

    Alexandra's Taverna

    Alexandra's Taverna is on Periandrou in the modern city centre of Corinth. The cuisine is Greek and Mediterranean.
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    Eating and Drinking in Corinth

    Corinthia is agricultural land: citrus groves on the coastal plain, vineyards in the hills around Nemea, olives on the slopes. Fish comes from the Gulf, which is open to the Ionian Sea.
    Agiorgitiko from Nemea

    Agiorgitiko from Nemea

    Nemea, just 30 km southwest, is Greece's largest red wine region. The autochthonous Agiorgitiko produces soft, fruity wines in lower altitudes; in higher altitudes around Koutsi and Asprokambos, more structured, age-worthy wines. Its ancient name 'Blood of Herakles' reflects its color. Numerous wineries in the valley offer tastings.
    Currants

    Currants

    The small, seedless black currant is named after the city because Corinth was the export port for the grape in the Middle Ages. Today, it is mainly cultivated further west in Achaia and Ilia, and it is sold loose in markets throughout the region. In the kitchen, it is used in pilaf dishes, spinach pies, and Christmas pastries. The sugar content is high, and the taste is significantly tangier than large raisins.

    Citrus & Olive Oil of the Plain

    Between Corinth, Lechaion, and Kiato, orange and lemon groves stretch out, interspersed with olive trees. From December to March is harvest time, when freshly squeezed juice is available at roadside stalls. Olive oil from the region is mostly bottled in small cooperatives and sold directly. At the weekly market in the modern town, the producers themselves are behind the stalls.

    Fish from the Gulf of Corinth

    Along the modern town's waterfront promenade are several fish taverns, with more in Kiato's harbor. Typical offerings include sardines, mackerel, squid, and seasonal sea bream. Orders are by weight; ask for the per-kilo price before ordering. Near Isthmia, by the canal, you'll find eateries overlooking the passage, serving simpler fare.

    Corinth: Trading Power Between Two Seas

    From City-State to Roman ColonyCorinth, with its two harbours, Lechaion on the Gulf of Corinth and Kenchreai on the Saronic Gulf, controlled the trade routes between West and East. This strategic location brought the city great wealth in archaic and classical times; it founded colonies like Syracuse and Korkyra and hosted the Isthmian Games. In 146 BC, the Roman general Lucius Mummius completely destroyed the city, and its population was enslaved. It wasn't until 44 BC that Caesar founded a colony on the same site, which became the capital of the province of Achaea. Most of the structures visible today date from this Roman period; only the Doric Temple of Apollo, from the 6th century BC, is older.Paul and the Layers of AcrocorinthAround 50 AD, the Apostle Paul lived in Corinth for a year and a half, founding one of Europe's first Christian communities, later sending his two letters to the Corinthians. The Bema on the Forum is believed to be where he faced proconsul Gallio. On the citadel hill above lie the layered fortifications of all successive rulers: Byzantine walls, Frankish towers, Venetian bastions, and Ottoman alterations with a mosque.

    Getting to and around Corinth

    Getting There from AthensThe Proastiakos suburban train runs from Athens Airport and the city to Corinth, continuing towards Kiato and Aigio; its station is on the southern outskirts. KTEL intercity buses depart from Kifissos Bus Station in Athens and stop at Isthmos by the Canal, from where buses also continue to Argolis and Tripoli. By car, take the A8 toll motorway.Between City and ExcavationExplore the modern city centre and the waterfront on foot. Local buses run to Archaia Korinthos, but not frequently; alternatively, take a taxi. A narrow road leads up to Akrokorinth to the lower gate; on foot, the ascent from the village is steep and shadeless.SurroundingsFor the Canal, Isthmia, and the Basilica of Lechaion, a rental car is most convenient, as these places are spread out and barely connected by buses.

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    Nearby

    Mycenae

    Mycenae

    Mycenae is situated on a hill at the northern edge of the Argolic Plain, approximately 25 kilometers north of Nafplio. Between approximately 1350 and 1200 BC, the citadel was the center of a palace culture that gave its name to an entire era. Heinrich Schliemann excavated the shaft graves starting in 1876, and since 1999, the site, along with Tiryns, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Ancient Epidauros

    Ancient Epidauros

    Ancient Epidaurus refers to two sites, twelve kilometers apart: the coastal village of Palea Epidavros on the Saronic Gulf and the Asklepieion inland, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. For centuries, this sanctuary was the most important healing center in the Greek world. Predominantly preserved is the theater from the 4th century BC, whose acoustics still work without technical amplification today.
    Nafplio

    Nafplio

    Nafplio lies on Argolis' east coast, on the Argolian Gulf, some 140 kilometers southwest of Athens. From 1823 to 1834, it served as the first capital of independent Greece, having previously seen Venetians and Ottomans alternately rule its port. The city retains three fortresses, a compact old town of Venetian and neoclassical houses, and a scenic rock path encircling the peninsula.
    Peloponnese

    Peloponnese

    The Peloponnese hangs off the southern end of the Greek mainland and, strictly speaking, is an island since the construction of the Corinth Canal. Mycenaean castles, the Sanctuary of Olympia, Byzantine ruined cities, and Venetian sea fortresses lie close together here.Between them, mountain ranges rise to over 2,400 meters, with Taygetos reaching 2,407 meters. The coastal roads remain narrow and winding; those who travel the peninsula are better off planning with few base locations and day trips.
    Arachova

    Arachova

    Arachova is a mountain village on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus, about ten kilometers east of Delphi. In winter, it serves as the main base for the Parnassos ski center, attracting many guests from Athens on weekends. During the rest of the year, it primarily accommodates visitors to Delphi.The village is known for woven goods such as carpets and blankets, and for its Formaela cheese, which holds a protected designation of origin. Away from the main road, steep alleys and stairs wind between stone houses up to the clock tower and the church of Agios Georgios. In spring and autumn, hiking trails on Mount Parnassus begin here.

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