Acrocorinth, The Ultimate Guide to Greece’s Majestic Fortress

As you are reaching Ancient Corinth from Athens you can see from a distance the impressive monolith of Acrocorinth, a stunning hilltop fortress overlooking the plain of Corinth.

Acrocorinth (Ακροκόρινθος) combines the word “Acro,” meaning “highest point of an area” in Greek, with “Corinth,” the nearby ancient town—similar to how the Acropolis Hill was the highest point in Ancient Athens.

Entrance of Acrorinth castle with a sign in Greek.

If you’re looking for a day trip from Athens and love exploring castles with stunning 360-degree views, Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth are must-see stops! On my latest visit, I even spotted a young eagle soaring over the walls, though sadly, it flew away before I could capture a good photo.

I have put together this guide with all the necessary info on getting there and the best nearby attractions. Read on and plan your perfect day trip from Athens.

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Interesting Facts About Acrocorinth

Ancient Corinth with the Temple of Apollo and Acrocorinth in the background.
Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth in the background
  • Standing approximately 575 meters (1,886 ft) above sea level, Acrocorinth towers over Ancient Corinth.
  • It’s Greece’s largest (spreads over 61.78 acres) and best-preserved acropolises.
  • It was first fortified in the Mycenean era but the Corinthians erected high walls between the 7th and 6th century BCE.
Ruins of Acrocorinth: Stone archway and walls in a historic site.
  • Here was the famous temple of “Armed” Aphrodite where allegedly the priestesses of the goddess practiced sacred prostitution. Aphrodite was the protector deity of the city of Corinth.
  • Stretching over 3 kilometers, the walls incorporate designs from ancient Greek, Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, and Ottoman fortifications.

Where is Acrocorinth Located and How to Get There

View of modern Corinth and the Corinthian Gulf from the castle.
View of modern Corinth and the Corinthian Gulf from the castle.

Acrocorinth is 91 km (56.5 mi) southwest of Athens, 7,5 km (4.66 mi) from Corinth and 10 minutes drive from Ancient Corinth in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese, Greece.

Here are your travel options to get to the site:

By Tour: An excellent guided tour to Acrocorinth & Corinth Canal Private Half-Day Trip from Athens.

By Car: Rent a car for the most flexibility. Parking is available near the entrance.

By Bus: Take the KTEL buses from Athens to Corinth, then hire a taxi to Acrocorinth.

The Monuments Inside Acrocorinth

The main entrance of of the castle of Acrocorinth.
Main Entrance

As soon as you reach the entrance which faces west, you can park and head to the massive gates.

You will quickly notice its layered architecture, with three imposing gates lined by three rows of powerful walls.

The walls follow a polygonal path and are reinforced with towers, bastions, battlements with loopholes, and cannon embrasures.

An entrance gate of the castle of Acrocorinth.
Gates

The average thickness of the walls is 2 meters, while the parapet’s thickness ranges between 60 and 70 centimeters, with successive openings approximately 1.65 meters high.

 Interior view of the Acrocorinth Castle ruins, showcasing tall stone walls against a vibrant blue sky.

As you ascend you get across domed gates, high walls, massive bastions, crenellated battlements, narrow loopholes, and the vaulted corridors.

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Another significant fact you should remember is that Acrocorinth was also a residential area with houses and shops.

Especially during the Ottoman era, the lower and most vulnerable parts were the Greek neighborhoods and the upper were for the Ottoman families and soldiers.

There are remains of houses in its northern part.

The entrance to Agios Dimitrios Church of the castle of Acrocorinth.
Agios Dimitrios Church

One significant monument is the beautiful small church of Agios Dimitrios, dated probably since the 17th century.

The frescos inside the chapel looked centuries old. I was all alone at the moment and I cherished the sacred atmosphere of the historic chapel.

Interior with icons and friezes of Agios Dimitrios Church of the castle of Acrocorinth.

There is a large area across from the church where you will see the remains of mosques and other constructions.

An ascedning pathway towards the top of Acrocorinth in Greece.
Pathways to the top

There starts another ascending path that leads you to a flat area which used to be a large Byzantine cistern constructed in the 6th century CE.

Next to the cistern, you will see the remains of another mosque and from there you will ascend to the top of the castle.

Remains of a mosque with the Frankish tower in the western summit
Remains of a mosque with the Frankish tower in the western summit

Walking towards the top of Acrocorinth and the Temple of Aphrodite, I was trying to imagine how busy this place must have been, with 1000 young women serving as sacred prostitutes.

The ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite in Acrocorinth.
Temple of Aphrodite © yiannis mitos

The temple was constructed in the 5th century BCE and was a relatively small building, 10 by 16 meters (33′ x 52′).

It contained a famous statue of Armed Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, love, and war, dressed in armor.

Views of Corinth and the Corinthian plain.

Unfortunately, today very few remain from the original Temple of Aphrodite.

From here you will enjoy a wonderful view of Kithaeron Mountain, Argos Plain, and the Corinthian Bay. On the southwest side, there’s a two-storied Frankish watchtower you shouldn’t miss.

Peirene Fountain in Acrocorinth.
Peirene Fountain

The Upper Peirene Fountain is located on the southeast side of Acrocorinth Castle and was constructed during the Hellenistic period.

To reach the central chamber of the fountain, you go down a broad staircase carved directly into the natural rock.

Midway along the descent, you’ll find a double opening topped with a pediment, built using architectural elements from the 4th century BCE.

Peirene Fountain in Ancient Corinth.
Peirene Fountain in Ancient Corinth

The water source continued to the Ancient Corinth where you can see the monument dedicated to Peirene.

According to the myth, Peirene was the daughter of the river god Asopos and Metope, and sister of Corfu, Salamis, Aegina, Thebes, Tanagra, Thespia, Sinope, and others.

Peirene was united with Poseidon and had two sons, Leches and Cenchrias. The Corinthians named their two main harbors after these sons.

When Artemis accidentally killed Cenchrias in Corinth, Peirene, overcome with grief, shed so many tears mourning her son’s death that she eventually transformed into a spring.

Terrain of Acrocorinth

Land view from the castle of Acrocorinth.
View from the third line of defense

The rock of Acrocorinth combines the natural formation of steep rocks with a single entrance from the west. The steep cliffs and rocky formations consist of Jurassic limestones, while the smoother zones are made up of more recent marls.

There are mostly low bushes and a few trees, as this area has been extensively used as pastureland. However, if you visit in spring, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful array of wildflowers, including campanula and legusia.

The area is home to a diverse range of animals, including falcons, eagles, turtles, lizards, and vipers.

Views of Corinth from Acrocorinth.
Modern Corinth from the top of Acrocorinth

There is no safety fence around the Acrocorinth site so be careful of the edges as there is a high risk of falling into the chaos if you are not careful.

The ground is made of shiny cobblestones which are slippery and make me a bit nervous. There are in places some iron bars where you can hold on but generally speaking, you need to be extra careful.

Cobblestone in Acrocorinth

I was wearing my Teva river crossing shoes (what was I thinking?) as I had forgotten how slippery the ground is in Acrocorinth.

I was OK with them but they weren’t the best shoes for this kind of terrain. Wear your most comfortable walking shoes with a good grip.

History of Acrocorinth

Stunning panoramic view from the Acrocorinth Castle walls, overlooking rolling hills and green valleys.
Views from its eastern summit

It was originally fortified during the Mycenaean era, but the Corinthians constructed tall walls between the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. In the 4th century BCE, the Macedonians repaired its fortification but it was completely destroyed in 146 BCE by the Romans.

Along with the castles of Demetrias in Magnesia and in Chalkis, Acrocorinth was utilized by the Macedonians to control the Greek cities.

Julius Ceasar restored the castle in 44 CE, and Byzantine Emperor Justinian repaired it in the 6th century.

Pentekoufi castle across from Acrocorinth.
Penteskoufi – Credit: Marios Polyzoes

In 1208 Franks attacked the castle. At that time Acrocorinth was under the rule of Byzantine Prince Leon Sgouros.

Franks meanwhile built a small control fortress (Penteskoufi), which still stands today, opposite the entrance to Acrocorinth.

Sgouros resisted the Franks and held the fort for 5 whole years. When the food supplies ended he tied the eyes of his beloved horse, opened a gate in the wall above the cliff, and jumped into the void.

Old engraving of Acrocorinth by Hughes.
HUGHES, Thomas Smart. Travels in Sicily Greece and AlbaniaIllustrated with engravings of maps scenery plans &c., τ. Ι, Λονδίνο, J. Mawman, 1820.

Between 1210 and 1458 it changes ownership between Franks, Knights Hospitaller of Malta, Byzantines, and Venetians.

In 1458, Mehmed II the Conqueror captured the castle, which had been defended by the Byzantine noble Matthew Asen.

In 1687, the Venetians took control of the castle, repaired it, and shaped its current form.

However, in 1715, the Ottoman besieged and recaptured Acrocorinth. The castle remained under Ottoman control until October 26, 1823, when, after fierce battles, it was surrendered to the Greeks.

Mythology of Acrocorinth

According to the ancient traveler and geographer Pausanias (110–180 CE), the gods Apollo (Helios) and Poseidon competed for control of Corinth.

In the end, Apollo claimed Acrocorinth, while Poseidon was granted the Isthmia area.

Apollo donated Acrocorinth to goddess Aphrodite and Medea built the temple on top of the rock.

Nearby Attractions to Explore

Evgenia in the Temple of Zeus in Nemea.
Nemea, Temple of Zeus

Your visit to Acrocorinth can be part of a larger adventure in the Corinth region. Consider adding these to your itinerary:

  • Ancient Corinth: Just a short drive away, this archaeological site includes the Temple of Apollo, Apostle Paul’s Bema, and many Roman relics.
  • Corinth Canal: Witness this engineering marvel that connects the Gulf of Corinth to the Saronic Gulf.
  • Nemea: Famous for its vineyards and ancient stadium, Nemea is a must-visit for wine and history lovers.
  • Remains of Ottoman Tomb – Türbe
Ottoman Tomb in Corinth
Ottoman Tomb in Corinth

Near the Ancient Corinth Archaeological Site, you can find an Ottoman monument.

Doing some research, I found out that in the same spot there used to be a group of Ottoman buildings known as Kuliye.

Kuliye, a charitable Ottoman settlement, would include a central mosque, and around it, there were other supporting buildings for eating, teaching, baths, and a hostel for the poor of the time.

Catholicon Church of the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi in Corinth.
Catholicon Church of the Monastery

If you head toward Isthmia or Kechries port, you can stop at the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi found 2 km out of the Examilia village. It is a very impressive monastery with fantastic decoration of the church inside. The entrance is free and the best time to visit is up to 12.30 pm.

Where Best to Stay

If you decide to stay overnight to explore the beautiful area around Corinth you can either stay in the picturesque village of Ancient Corinth or in modern Corinth which is by the seafront.

One of the best apartments in Ancient Corinth is the exceptional Pegasus Rooms with impressive views of Acrocorinth from their balcony and modern design (budget).

Another fantastic option with a stunning balcony view of the sea and a lovely garden is the Corinthian Sun – Vacation Home (mid-range).

FAQ for Acrocorinth

The Cafe in front of the entrance  of Acrocorinth.
The Cafe in front of the entrance – Credit: Theodoros Kazantzis

Is Acrocorinth suitable for families?

Yes, though the hike may be challenging for younger children. Ensure everyone has proper footwear and enough water.

How long does it take to climb to the top?

The ascent can take 30-45 minutes depending on your pace and fitness level but if you would like to explore you will need at least 2-3 hours.

Are there any facilities?

Yes, there is a cafe right outside the entrance. Next to the cafe, there is a toilet block. However, there are no facilities on-site, so you better bring water and snacks.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, the entrance is free.

When is the site open?

The site is open from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. every day, except on certain Greek public holidays.

Where is best to visit?

For summer, aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and catch the best light for photography. In winter, any time is great.

What should I wear?

Depending on the time you are visiting aim for comfortable clothes and anti-slippery shoes. In summer hats and sunscreen are essential!

Guided Tours from Athens

If you’re planning a visit to Corinth, let me help you make the most of it by recommending the best-guided tours.

With a local guide, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Corinth’s ancient past and uncover hidden gems along the way.

Sample Itinerary from Athens

If you have 5 days to spend in the Peloponnese you could try this itinerary:

  • Day 1: Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth & Acrocorinth, Nemea (for wine tasting and the archaeological site), or Mycenae, overnight Nafplio.
  • Day 2: Exploring beautiful Nafplio, its alleys, and the castles.
  • Day 3: Epidaurus, leave for Monemvasia.
  • Day 4: Monmevasia & Elafonisos island.
  • Day 5. Return to Athens through Sparta and Mystras.

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About the author
Evgenia Mataragka
Hi! I am an Athens-based Greek obsessed with exploring Greece and bringing you the best travel experience ever!

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