Visit Corinth

I know many people don’t actually think to add Corinth on their list for a first visit in Greece. However, if you’re looking for something more authentic and to skip the crowd, do not hesitate to visit Corinth. The new city is totally lacking the tourists, which will leave you with an authentic experiences.

For example, I met a very nice lady working in a cafeteria which gave me lots of advices for what to eat and drink. While serving my breakfast, a nice old man sitting at a table next to me, poured me water in the glass when it was getting empty. And I interacted even with some kids, while offering them some sweets on the street. Just be open, the best things happen when you less expect!

Corinth City

In my opinion, Corinth city is a quit place which surounds you with a holiday feeling. Close to the water, it is also blessed with an amazing view ready to delight any visitor willing to stop by. Here people are nice, the atmophere is relaxed and during the summer days, the clear blue sky is brightening your days.

However, there is not much to visit in Corinth city. Walk around the main square and streets, grab a meal or simply enjoy a drink. There are several shops too in case you’re looking to do some shopping. Don’t forget to stop by Pegasus (the winged horse) near the seaside! You can also see him drawed, on the canals around the city!

Archeological Site

Probably your first stop and the main reason to visit Corinth is for the archeological site. From the entrance, you will see the Apollo Temple (V century BC) dominating the place. Today, it’s the best preserved part, while all the other building are only ruins (temples, theaters, administrative centers, houses, fountains, private buildings, agora, etc.). However, let’s not forget that this city, in its flourish period was the house for 300,000 citizens and 460,000 slaves! Impressive, right?

Also, if you remember from the Bible, from this place Saint Paul spoke to the Corinthians in AD 52!

Museum

At the entrance of the site – and included in the same price – you will find the archeological museum. It is hosting several objects discovered at the place, like potteries, jewlleries, graves, statues, wall paintings, floor mosaics and so on. It can be visited in about half an hour, as it consists in three rooms and an outside exposition.

Akrokorinthos

The name itself, Akrokorinthos, means the Upper Corinth. And you can easily understand why, as it’s situated up on the hill. Located 4km away from the archeological site, this fortified citadel can be reached by foot or by car. I heard the views are splendid and the 2km walk around the walls and the 24ha of surface, will be a nice memory to take home.

This is one of the places I would have loved to visit in Corinth, but as time was limited I didn’t had the chance to do so. So maybe next time!

Transportation

It is quite easy to visit Corinth as a day trip from Athens as you can use public transportation. A return ticket costs 14€ and can be bought directly from the central bus station. If you don’t plan to stay overnight, I do recommend to take the 1st bus in the morning, or one around 7am to be in the Corinth city around 10am. The reason behind is that the bus will leave you in the new city. And most probably, you will be looking to go to the Ancient Corinth, which is a few km away. More than that, if you are relying again on public transportation, then you need to know that the buses between the new Corinth and the Ancient Corinth are not too often – which limits your opportunities.

For example, as I didn’t knew this in advance, I spent about 1.5h in the new city. I enjoyed a long breakfast and walking around the streets. And it’s not that I didn’t enjoyed it, but I was left with the only choise of taking the next bus at 11.30am. Which ruined a bit my plans! And if you’re wondering why, it’s because the Ancient Corinth and the museum are closing at 4pm and the Akrokorinthos at 3pm.

So, at the end of the day I had to chose one of the two objectives to visit, so I was a bit dissapointed. I wished I would knew this information before, to better plan my day. However, I am happy I can at least tell you this, in order for you to organize a perfect day.

Corinth Canal

I need to confess that this visit was the best part of the day, but also the most terrifying. Before going to Greece I saw this Corinth canal in pictures and I promised myself to add it to my wish list. And I did it well!

History

The history of this canal goes back in time, to the Emperor Nero (37-68 AD). He was the first one to consider the idea of cutting the Isthmus of Corinth to create a canal and leave the ships navigate faster between Italy and the Aegean Sea, allowing to not cross the entire Peloponesse peninsula. However, this never came to an end during his time. The boats continued to disembark the goods in the Golf of Corinth, being after transported on the land 6 km, and then, embarked into the boats which were waiting on the other side, to continue their journey.

Later on, in 1893, after 12 years of hard work, the Corinth Canal has been finished. With only 23m width, it allowed the boats to navigate straight to Pireus, in the Aegean Sea directly. However, today it is not used much, as the big ships cannot enter the canal. So if you’re lucky enough, you will be able to see some small boats passing the canal. It is really an impressive view from up, so I imagine being in the boat is even more impressive. Check in Corinth city how you could get a boat trip. Unfortunatelly, I didn’t had time to do this for myself. But, I would love to add it on my list for the next visit.

My personal experience

You may know or not, but I am affraid of heights. So, imagine how did I felt there, wanting more than anything to walk on the bridge and see the canal, but being terrifiend to do so. I was visibily struggling to walk centimeter with centimeter, keeping my hands on the bridge and looking far away. However, I didn’t succeeed to walk until the middle of the bridge, not even speaking about properly see the canal or take any picture.

But, lucky me, as I’m blessed to always meet nice people across the world. At some point, a family with two kids stopped by to admire the canal. As I was visibily struggling to do the same thing, the parents proposed to help me. Of course I was a bit ashamed of my weakness when hearing the question, but come on. I had to chose between achieving the purpose of my visit or live with regrets, so here we go.

Each of them took one of my hands and we started walking on the bridge. I felt like a small child holding his parents tight, scared to not fall. But, like this, I did succeed to see properly the canal in the end – thanks to this amazing family. They may never read this article to see how gratefull I am for their kindness, but God knows I will always be thankful for their gesture.

I have a bad time remembering names, but I do remember they were Greeks, living since a long time in Germany. God bless them, as they will always be part of my story and my lifetime memories.

Transportation

It is quite easy to stop and admire the impressive Corinth canal, even if you’re coming from Athens or from Corinth. The bus between Athens and Corinth has a dedicated stop here, called Isthmos. You can always buy your ticket till here, and then continue your journey further as the bus station is meters away. For example, a bus ticket from new Corinth to Isthmos bridge costs 1.6€.

The busses are running often, approximatelly every hour, so you have nothing to worry about. However, if you combine it with a day trip to Corinth, I recommend leaving it for the end of the day, to ensure you spend the first part of the day in the Ancient Corinth, as the attractions are closing quite early in the afternoon.

The end!

Now, go and visit Corinth to create your own memories! And don’t forget to leave me a message below, to tell me how it was when you’re coming back! Meanwhile, read more about the beautiful Greece and its wonderful people here.