Ancient Corinth was one of the wealthiest and most powerful Greek city-states, built 78 km (48 mi) southwest of Athens near the Corinth Canal, which connects the Peloponnese to mainland Greece.
The city had been inhabited since 3000 BC; however, it began flourishing as a commercial center in the 8th century BC.
Corinth became so prosperous that it founded colonies and built monumental structures like the Temple of Apollo, reflecting its prominence. Today, most of the remaining monuments from the archaeological site are from the Roman era.
The city of Corinth is also significant for Christians, as the Apostle Paul lived here for 18 months.
I visit the ruins at least once a year, as it’s on my way to the Peloponnese. During my latest visit in August 2024, I discovered an interesting photo exhibition from Peru in the museum which you can see in the video.
If you’re wondering whether Ancient Corinth is worth visiting, I can assure you it’s a wonderful site. It’s perfect for anyone traveling toward the Peloponnese or even for a day trip from Athens as alongside the main site, you can also visit Acrocorinth, Isthmia, and Kechries Port.
I have put together this guide with all the necessary info on how to get there and the best nearby Ancient Corinth attractions. Read on and plan your perfect day trip from Athens.
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Interesting Facts about Ancient Corinth
- Periander, a famous ruler of Ancient Corinth (reigned 627–585 BC) was the first to attempt cutting through the Isthmus (the Corinth Canal) to connect the Corinthian and the Saronic Gulfs. When this proved impossible, he created the Diolkos instead.
- Ancient Corinth had a reputation as a city of pleasures and indulgence. It was home to the legendary courtesan Lais and, according to Strabo, a thousand courtesans were dedicated to the sanctuary of Aphrodite, marking it as a center of sensuality.
- Ancient Corinthians founded new cities: Corcyra (Corfu), Leucas, Ambracia (Greece, Arta), Epidamnus (Albania), and Apollonia (Albania), Naukratis in Egypt as well as Syracuse in distant Sicily.
- In 581 BC they founded the Isthmian Games (similar to the Olympic Games but on a smaller scale).
- In 146 BC, Rome attacked Corinth and destroyed it completely. The city remained deserted until Julius Caesar refounded it as Colonia Laus Iulia Corinthiensis in 44 BC.
- Apostle Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months and wrote the First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians, likely between 50–51 AD.
My Latest Video on Ancient Corinth
Exploring the fascinating Isthmus or Corinth Canal and Ancient Corinth ruins and Museum on a very hot day in Greece last August.
Ancient Corinth Monuments
The archaeological site of Ancient Corinth has been developed around the Doric Temple of Apollo. Extensive excavations have uncovered the Roman Agora of the city, temples, fountains, stoas, bath complexes, and various other monuments.
The Temple of Apollo
The most striking monument in Ancient Corinth is the Doric Temple of Apollo, built around 550 BC using local limestone. The temple originally had six columns on its narrow sides and fifteen on the long sides.
Part of the eastern wing was destroyed due to the construction of the residence of the Ottoman Bey of Corinth.
Today, only seven standing columns of the Temple’s foundations are preserved.
Glauke Fountain
As soon as you pass by the ticket kiosk you will see on your left side, the large Glauke Fountain.
It was carved into the western slope of the Hill of the Temple of Apollo, originally during the Archaic period and later adapted in Roman times.
Glauke was according to Greek mythology, the daughter of King Creon, and was to marry Jason, the Argonaut hero.
However, Jason was already romantically involved with the sorceress Medea, and had two children together.
When Medea realized that Jason was about to marry Glauke, she gifted Glauke a poisoned garment (peplos) that ignited upon contact.
In a desperate attempt to escape the flames, Glauke leaped into this fountain where she drowned. It was later named after her in memory of the tragic event.
Medea killed also Glauke’s father and later on to complete her revenge on Jason, she murdered their two children.
Book a fantastic guided tour from Athens to experience the best of Argolis and Corinth from Athens! Ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio full-day private tour from Athens
Bema Seat in Corinth & Apostle Paul
Apostle Paul or the Apostle of the Nations traveled across Greece to spread Christianity. During his journeys, he visited Samothrace, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Veria, Athens, and Corinth.
He arrived in Corinth in the mid-1st century AD and stayed with the Jewish tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla for 18 months.
He worked alongside them as a tentmaker while sharing the Gospel with Corinth’s Jewish community.
Apostle Paul preached at the Bema in Ancient Corinth—a raised platform used for public speeches.
After spending about a year and a half in Corinth, he left for Ephesus through the Kechries port, having established a thriving church.
He maintained close ties with the Corinthian believers, later writing to them in some of his most famous letters, known as the “Epistles to the Corinthians”.
A fantastic organized tour is the Private Biblical Tour of Ancient Corinth & Isthmus Canal with a focus on Apostle Paul.
Temple of Octavia
This is a temple dedicated to Octavia, built with marble and Corinthian pillars by the end of the 1st century AD.
It was likely dedicated to the worship of the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva) or the imperial family.
According to Pausanias, a Greek traveler of that era, it was also a place of worship for Octavia, the sister of Emperor Augustus.
Peirene Fountain
The Peirene Fountain had been in use since the Neolithic period, while initial structural modifications were made during the Geometric and Archaic periods.
By the 2nd century BC it included six chambers providing access to three water basins fed by four massive cisterns.
This was a favorite spot for Cointhians to sit and discuss around the fountain. Peirene was a nymph who according to legend gave the name to the fountain.
Lechaion Road
Ancient Corinth had two ports, Lechaion in the Corinthian Gulf and Kechries in the Saronic Gulf.
Lechaion port was connected to the Agora of Corinth by long walls, totaling 2,300 meters in length. Between these walls lay the famous Lechaion Road.
During Roman times, around the 1st century AD, rows of shops were created on both sides of the road, and colonnades and bases for dedications were set between the shops and the pavement.
The road started to lose its significance around the 10th century AD and was eventually abandoned after the earthquake in 1858.
Today you can see the remains of a row of sixteen small shops, a large Roman basilica (1st-2nd century AD.), the Peribolos of Apollo (1st century AD.), and the ruins of a large bathhouse dating from the 2nd century AD.
The Archaeological Museum of Corinth
The small yet exquisite Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth was built in 1932.
It was constructed by the American School of Classical Studies, and funded by a donation from Ada Small Moore.
The museum houses prehistoric collections, findings from the Asklepion, and objects from the Geometric period to the Byzantine era.
Recently, the exhibition was enhanced with the Twin Kouros statues from ancient Tenea, a remarkable example of Archaic sculpture.
The statues date back to the 6th century BC and are of exceptional craftsmanship, carved from Parian (Paros island) marble.
Sanctuary of Asclepion & Lerna Fountain
450 meters north of the Temple of Apollo you will find the ruins of Asclepion, a healing temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine, and nearby the Lerna fountain.
The sanctuary was in continuous operation for 800 years, from the 5th century BC to the 4th century when it was destroyed by the Visigoths in 396 AD.
The Corinthians were likely inspired by the Asklepion of Epidaurus when they established their own healing center.
In the museum, you will see unique findings from Asclepion primarily clay votive offerings from believers, in the form of human body parts, dating to the 4th – 3rd century BC.
For the time being, there is a free entrance to the site.
Acrocorinth Castle
Acrocorinth, or the Acropolis of Corinth, is a 7th-century BC fortress of ancient Corinth, and one of Greece’s most impressive historical sites.
Located on a steep monolith at 575 meters (1886 ft) high, it offers stunning views of the Corinthian plain, the modern and ancient Corinth.
Originally used by the ancient Greeks for defense, it was later expanded by the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, each adding their own structures.
Today, you can explore its walls, ancient gates, the remains of the Aphrodite temple, chapels, and Ottoman monuments.
It is open daily between 08:30-15:30 with a €4 entrance ticket. It is 4 km from Ancient Corinth and you need to have your own rental car to get there. Wear shoes with good grips as the terrain is a bit slippery.
Corinth Canal
Corinth Canal or the Isthmus of Corinth is a narrow canal, 6 km long. It connects the Corinthian Gulf (the western part of Greece towards Italy) with the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea.
It is 12.5 km before we reach Ancient Corinth.
Over 10,000 boats and cruise ships cross the canal to avoid navigating the 400 km around the Peloponnese annually.
Periandros, the ancient ruler of Corinth, was the first to try to dig up the Corinth Canal. This was not possible at the time as there was no technical know-how.
Instead, Periandros constructed Diolkos, a special road on which ships were pulled from the Corinthian Gulf to the Saronic Gulf.
The historians think that slaves – and not animals – were dragging the ships on platforms, which must have been a real hardship.
This kind of transportation went on for many centuries and you can see traces of it today in the area of Isthmia.
As soon as Greece became independent from the Ottomans (after 1821), the Greek authorities started thinking again about opening the Corinth Canal.
The companies that were commissioned with the canal’s construction worked for 11 years and was officially finished on 25 July 1893.
However, as today’s ships are quite large and will get stuck if they try to cross the canal, only smaller ships can pass through.
You can also visit the Archaeological Site of Isthmia.
It contains exhibits from Diolkos, the Temple of Poseidon, the Raches Settlement, and a beautiful mosaic from Kechries port.
The Isthmia Museum is open between 8.00 and 15.00 but is closed on Tuesdays. The entrance fee is €2.
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. Perfect for a stress-free and enriching experience!
- Ancient Corinth & Nafplion Premium Tour with an Expert Tour Guide.
- 4-Day Classical Greece Tour: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora
- Ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio full-day private tour from Athens
Sample Itinerary from Athens
If you have 3 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), Nafplio
- Day 2: Exploring beautiful Nafplio, its alleys, and the castles
- Day 3: Epidaurus and Mycenae.
FAQ for Visiting the Site of Ancient Corinth
Ancient Corinth Tickets
The general entrance ticket to Ancient Corinth from April – to October is €8 and €4 from November to March. You can pay with cash or a credit card at the site’s entrance.
Ancient Corinth Opening Hours
November 15th-March 31st: 8:30 -15:30 (Tuesday closed)
From April 11 to August 31, 08:00-20:00. From September 1 to September 15, 08:00-19:30. From September 16 to September 30, 08:00-19:00. From October 1 to October 15, 08:00-18:30. From October 16 to October 31, 8:00-18:00.
Is the Site Accessible?
Yes, it is. There is flat access.
Best Time to Visit?
Ancient Corinth is rarely crowded, making it a pleasant and peaceful experience. If you’re visiting in the summer, arriving early in the morning will help you avoid the heat.
Is there a WC inside the Ancient Corinth?
Yes, there is, free of charge, inside the museum.
How much time do I need for the Site?
Generally speaking, you should plan to spend at least an hour. If you have a licensed guide it might take up to 90 minutes.
Can I drink or eat inside the Ancient Corinth?
You are not allowed to eat or drink inside any archaeological site in Greece, only water is allowed to be carried around. There is no café/restaurant inside the site.
How to Get from Athens to Corinth
Public buses (KTEL Kifisos) go to Corinth many times a day (chaotic website mostly in Greek).
Naturally, the best way to visit all the sites is by rental car. If you don’t like driving this Guided Tour to Ancient Corinth from Athens gets you to many of the locations mentioned in this post.
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Essential Travel Resources for Greece
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
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- Expedia: I use Expedia for the rest of the world.
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