On the Isthmus of Corinth—the narrow strip of land linking the Peloponnese to mainland Greece—stands ancient Corinth, a city that once controlled Mediterranean trade and shaped Western history.

A very important town in ancient Greece (perhaps the most strategically located), today Corinth is one of the most significant urban centers in the Peloponnese, trailing only Patras and Kalamata in size.

While the ancient ruins survived for millennia, a devastating earthquake in 1858 leveled the settlement that had grown atop the site. This disaster forced the population to relocate 6km away to found “New Corinth” on the coast, effectively leaving the ancient city as an open-air museum for archaeologists to eventually uncover.

The ruins spread beneath the massive rock fortress of Acrocorinth, where seven surviving columns of the Temple of Apollo create one of the most recognizable silhouettes in Greece. Drive along the highway and you’ll pass the Corinth Canal—that engineering marvel slicing straight through solid rock—before reaching the ancient site where 2,000 years of history lie exposed under the Mediterranean sun.

Why Visit Ancient Corinth?

Because Corinth wasn’t just another Greek city-state—it was a superpower. Positioned at the crossroads between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese, with ports on both the Corinthian and Saronic Gulfs, ancient Corinth controlled land and sea trade routes that made it one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in the ancient world. Athens may have birthed democracy and philosophy, but Corinth built ships, minted coins, and controlled commerce.

The Temple of Apollo, with its seven monolithic Doric columns still standing after 2,500 years, ranks among the oldest stone temples in Greece. The massive fortress of Acrocorinth rising 574 meters above the plain offered defensive advantages that kept the site continuously inhabited for over 6,000 years. And the Roman city that Julius Caesar refounded in 44 BC became the capital of Achaea province and the stage where Saint Paul preached Christianity to a notoriously pleasure-loving population—his letters to the Corinthians now form part of the New Testament.

Add the nearby Corinth Canal (one of the world’s most dramatic engineering projects), combine it with easy day trips to Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Nafplio, and ancient Corinth becomes an essential stop on any Peloponnese journey.

Where Is Ancient Corinth Located?

Ancient Corinth sits at the base of Acrocorinth mountain, approximately 48 miles (78km) west of Athens and just 4 miles (6.5km) southwest of modern Corinth city. The archaeological site lies right off the E65/A7 highway linking Athens to Patras —you’ll see the Temple of Apollo columns and Acrocorinth looming above as you drive past.

The Corinth Canal, cutting through the Isthmus 6 miles north of the ancient site, offers stunning views from highway bridges where the narrow waterway drops 300 feet straight down through sheer rock walls.

How to Get to Ancient Corinth

Most visitors arrive by car or organized tour from Athens. The drive takes approximately 1-1.5 hours via the E65 highway toward Patras. Watch for signs to “Ancient Corinth” (Archaia Korinthos) at the designated exit—the site appears suddenly on your right, impossible to miss with those columns silhouetted against Acrocorinth’s dramatic bulk.

Intercity buses connect Athens (Terminal A at Kifissos) with modern Corinth city multiple times daily, taking about 90 minutes. From modern Corinth, local buses run to the ancient site (about 15 minutes), though schedules can be limited. Taxis from modern Corinth to the archaeological site cost approximately €10-15.

The suburban railway from Athens to Kiato (Corinth station) offers another option, though you’ll still need onward transport to reach the ancient ruins.

For maximum flexibility exploring both ancient Corinth and nearby sites (Acrocorinth, Corinth Canal, Nemea, Mycenae, Epidaurus), renting a car makes the most sense. Parking at the archaeological site is free and convenient.

The Archaeological Site

The ruins of ancient Corinth spread across a plateau at the base of Acrocorinth rock. Most visible buildings date from the Roman period after Julius Caesar refounded the city in 44 BC, though Greek foundations lie beneath. Unfortunately, numerous earthquakes over the centuries—including the devastating 1858 quake that destroyed the ancient city entirely—have badly damaged structures, leaving us with foundations, scattered columns, and imagination to fill the gaps.

A combined ticket (approximately €10 full price) covers both the archaeological site and museum. The site opens daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM in summer (April-October) and 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM in winter (November-March), closed Tuesdays. Free admission days include March 6, April 18, May 18, October 28, the last weekend of September, and the first Sunday of each month November-March.

Allow 2-3 hours to explore the site properly, more if you’re passionate about Roman ruins or following Saint Paul’s footsteps.

Temple of Apollo

The site’s star attraction, the Temple of Apollo commands a hilltop overlooking what was once the bustling Roman Forum. Built around 540 BC (making it one of Greece’s oldest stone temples), the massive Doric structure originally featured 38 monolithic limestone columns—each over 23 feet tall and carved from single blocks of stone. Today, seven columns remain standing, their weathered surfaces and squat, archaic capitals testifying to 2,500 years of earthquakes, wars, and time.

These aren’t the most elegant columns you’ll see in Greece—they’re too thick, too primitive compared to the refined Parthenon or graceful Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. But that roughness is exactly their power. Standing here, you’re witnessing the dawn of Greek monumental architecture, when builders were still figuring out how to make stone behave like wood.

The temple originally had 6 columns at each end and 15 along each side, with two interior chambers entered through porches. According to ancient writer Pausanias, a bronze statue of Apollo stood inside. The Romans later renovated the temple, removing interior columns and adapting it to their own worship practices.

The Roman Forum (Agora)

The sprawling marketplace and civic center below the Temple of Apollo reveals Corinth’s Roman character. Shops lined marble-paved streets. Temples honored Roman emperors. Fountains provided water drawn from springs and aqueducts. This was where commerce, politics, and daily life unfolded.

The Bema (judgment seat)—a raised stone platform where Roman proconsuls addressed citizens—holds special significance for Christian pilgrims. According to Acts 18:12-17, Saint Paul stood before Proconsul Gallio at this very spot around 52 AD, accused by local Jews of preaching an illegal religion. Gallio dismissed the charges, allowing Paul to continue spreading Christianity. Today, a plaque on the Bema quotes Paul’s words, and pilgrims stand where the apostle defended his faith.

Peirene Fountain

One of the site’s most impressive structures, this elaborate fountain complex provided Corinth with water from a natural spring. Legend claims the spring formed from the tears of Peirene, a nymph whose son was accidentally killed by Artemis—she cried so much that her tears created this eternal fountain.

The archways, chambers, and reservoirs you see today are mostly Roman construction, though the spring itself was used from archaic Greek times through the Byzantine period. Walk through the cool chambers where Romans filled their water jars 2,000 years ago.

Other Notable Ruins

Temple of Octavia (also called Temple E) shows three elegant Corinthian columns topped by a restored architrave—all that remains of a temple dedicated to Emperor Augustus’s sister. The ornate style contrasts sharply with the severe Doric Temple of Apollo nearby, illustrating architectural evolution over centuries.

The Lechaion Road, paved in marble, was ancient Corinth’s main thoroughfare leading from the Forum down to Lechaion port on the Corinthian Gulf. Walking this street, you’re following the path Roman merchants and Christian pilgrims once traveled.

The Theater, carved into the hillside just west of the main Forum, once seated 15,000 spectators for plays and gladiatorial games. The Odeion (concert hall) sits right next to it.

Further north, near the ancient city walls, lies the Asklepieion (sanctuary of Asklepios, god of healing). Like the famous site at Epidaurus, sick pilgrims came here seeking cures through a combination of religious ritual, therapeutic baths, and early medical treatment.

The Archaeological Museum

Don’t skip the museum—it transforms scattered ruins into coherent history. Built in 1932, the museum displays finds from excavations spanning prehistoric through Byzantine periods.

Highlights include spectacular Roman mosaics depicting Dionysus and mythological scenes; sculptures of emperors and athletes; pottery demonstrating Corinth’s famous ceramic production; and artifacts illustrating daily life—coins, jewelry, household items, toys. The courtyard displays larger architectural elements, inscriptions, and reliefs too massive for interior galleries.

One section shows clay body parts (arms, legs, eyes, internal organs) offered by grateful patients at the Asklepieion—ancient thank-you gifts for healing received. Another displays early Christian artifacts and Byzantine glazed pottery documenting the city’s later history.

Plan at least 45 minutes to an hour for the museum—it provides essential context that makes wandering the ruins afterward far more meaningful.

Acrocorinth

The massive fortress crowning the 1,886-foot mountain above ancient Corinth deserves a visit—either by driving the winding road to the top or hiking up (allow 45-60 minutes for the steep climb). Admission is free.

Acrocorinth has been fortified since ancient times, with successive rulers—Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, Ottomans—adding defensive walls, gates, and structures. Three rings of walls with multiple gates protect the summit, where ruins of mosques, churches, houses, and the Temple of Aphrodite scatter across the windswept plateau.

The views alone justify the climb: 360-degree panoramas across the Corinthian and Saronic Gulfs, the Isthmus, surrounding mountains, and on clear days all the way to Athens. Ancient writers claimed you could see across the Aegean from here—an exaggeration, but standing atop Acrocorinth, you understand why this position was fought over for millennia.

Allow 2-3 hours for Acrocorinth if you explore properly: walking the walls, investigating ruins, and soaking up the views. Bring water, wear sturdy shoes, and visit early or late to avoid midday heat (there’s minimal shade).

The Corinth Canal

Six miles north of ancient Corinth, the Corinth Canal slices through the Isthmus—a 4-mile-long, 70-foot-wide trench cut straight through rock 300 feet deep. Completed in 1893 after centuries of proposals (Nero attempted it in 67 AD), the canal separates the Peloponnese from mainland Greece and connects the Corinthian and Saronic Gulfs.

Pull off at one of the bridges crossing the canal for photographs—the views straight down are vertigo-inducing and spectacular. Some operators offer bungee jumping from the bridges for those seeking adrenaline with their history.

The canal is too narrow for modern cargo ships, so it serves mostly pleasure craft and tourist boats, but as an engineering achievement and photo opportunity, it’s not to be missed.

While at the Canal, look for the Diolkos, the ancient paved trackway where ships were once hauled across the Isthmus on rollers. It’s a fascinating precursor to the modern canal and a testament to Corinthian engineering.

Practical Tips

If visiting during peak season (July-August), arrive early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and tour bus crowds. Summer temperatures can exceed 95°F (35°C) with limited shade—bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.

The site involves walking on uneven ancient paving stones and paths—wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. Flip-flops will make you miserable.

Combine ancient Corinth with other nearby sites for a full Peloponnese day: Mycenae (40 minutes south), Epidaurus (45 minutes southeast), or Nemea wine region (30 minutes southwest). Most visitors base in Nafplio (40 minutes away) for overnight stays, making day trips to Corinth and surroundings.

Photography is allowed throughout the site: the Temple of Apollo columns with Acrocorinth rising behind create the classic shot. Early morning or late afternoon light is best.

Modern Corinth

The modern city of Corinth was rebuilt on the coast of the Corinthian Gulf after the 1858 earthquake destroyed the ancient city. Today it’s a major industrial and transportation hub, serving primarily as the economic center of the region rather than a tourist destination. The port remains important for the city’s economy, and recent developments including an electric railway linking Corinth to Athens continue to drive growth.

Most visitors pass through modern Corinth without stopping—the ancient ruins and Nafplio’s charm draw travelers south, while the modern city handles commerce and local life. Unless you need services or are catching connections, ancient Corinth deserves your time far more than the contemporary city.

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