Ancient Corinth was one of the wealthiest, most powerful, and most cosmopolitan cities of the classical Mediterranean. Founded in the 8th century BC, sacked by the Romans in 146 BC, refounded by Julius Caesar in 44 BC as a Roman colony, and visited by the Apostle Paul for 18 months in 50-51 AD (during which he preached to the Corinthian Christians and later wrote two New Testament epistles to them), the city’s archaeological site preserves Greek, Roman, and Early Christian remains in a single coherent visit. Just 80 km west of Athens and combinable with the dramatic Corinth Canal photo stop and the medieval Acrocorinth fortress, this is one of the most rewarding cultural day trips from Athens. This is the complete ancient Corinth day trip from Athens guide for 2026.
Why Visit Ancient Corinth?
Three reasons. First, the convenience: 80 km west of Athens (1 hour by car via the excellent A8 motorway). Second, the variety: the archaeological site contains Greek temples, Roman fora, Early Christian basilicas, and the New-Testament-mentioned Bema where the Apostle Paul stood trial; the Acrocorinth medieval fortress sits 575 metres above the site. Third, the historical importance: ancient Corinth was one of the four largest cities of the Roman Empire and a key location in early Christianity.
For broader context, see our Day Trips from Athens pillar, our Mycenae & Epidaurus guide, and our Nafplio guide.
How to Get to Ancient Corinth from Athens
Option 1: Rental Car (Most Flexible)
€60-100 per day plus €10-15 in tolls (round trip). 1-hour drive each way via the A8 Athens-Corinth motorway. Easy, well-signed route. Free parking at the archaeological site.
Option 2: Guided Tour
€60-130 per person. Most tours combine Ancient Corinth with the Corinth Canal photo stop and sometimes with Mycenae and/or Nafplio (which makes for a packed 11-12 hour day). Includes air-conditioned coach, English-speaking guide, entries. Operators: GetYourGuide, Viator, Athens Walking Tours.
Option 3: KTEL Public Bus
€10-13 each way. KTEL Corinthias buses from Athens (Kifissou terminal) to modern Corinth town (1.5 hours). Then local bus to Ancient Corinth village (€2). Possible but requires more planning.
Option 4: “Apostle Paul” Themed Tours
Several specialized tour operators offer combined Athens-Areopagus + Corinth Bema “follow the footsteps of Paul” themed day tours for €120-180 per person. Most popular with American religious travellers.
Ancient Corinth 2026 Tickets & Hours
€8 standard summer / €4 winter combined ticket covers the archaeological site and the on-site museum. EU citizens under 25 free with ID.
Opening hours: Summer (April-October): 8 AM to 8 PM daily. Winter: 8 AM to 3 PM daily. Closed Greek public holidays.
Acrocorinth fortress: free entry; open 8 AM to 8 PM summer, 8 AM to 3 PM winter.
What to See at Ancient Corinth
1. The Temple of Apollo
The unmissable highlight: 7 standing Doric columns from c. 560 BC, among the oldest stone temples in Greece. With the Acrocorinth fortress rising 575 metres behind it, the temple makes one of the most photographed shots in the Peloponnese.
2. The Roman Forum (Agora)
The vast central marketplace of Roman Corinth and one of the largest Roman fora excavated anywhere. Surrounded by shop foundations, temples, and the most important single feature: the Bema.
3. The Bema (Speaker’s Platform)
A raised marble platform in the southern Roman Forum where Paul of Tarsus stood trial before the Roman proconsul Gallio in 51 AD (described in Acts 18:12-17). This is one of the very few New Testament locations that has been positively identified archaeologically. The site is marked with a Greek/English plaque.
4. The Lechaion Road
The 12-metre-wide marble road that ran from the city to the port of Lechaion (4 km north). Still paved with original Roman stone; the deep grooves cut by cart wheels are still visible. Walking even a short stretch is one of the most evocative ancient-Roman experiences possible in Greece.
5. The Fountain of Peirene
An elaborate Roman-era marble fountain with a vaulted central chamber and a colonnaded façade. Still partially water-fed; the spring underneath has been delivering Corinth’s water since at least the 8th century BC.
6. The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth
Small but excellent on-site museum displaying finds from the site including mosaic floors, marble sculpture, Roman portrait busts, and Early Christian artefacts. Allow 30-45 minutes.
Acrocorinth: The Medieval Fortress Above
The 7th-century-BC fortress of ancient Corinth grew through Byzantine, Frankish, Ottoman, and Venetian periods into one of the largest medieval fortresses in the Mediterranean. Sits at 575 metres above the modern village of Ancient Corinth. The acropolis includes the foundations of the famous Temple of Aphrodite (where the temple prostitutes who give Corinth its ancient reputation for sexual hedonism were based). Free entry; closes at 3 PM in winter. Allow 90 minutes for a thorough visit. Reach by car (the road winds up the back of the rock to a small parking area) or on foot (1-hour steep climb).
The Corinth Canal
The 6.4 km artificial waterway cut through solid limestone in 1893 connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Gulf of Corinth. The 79-metre-deep cut and the dramatic 90-metre-high road bridge above make this one of the most photographed engineering achievements in Greece. Free to view from the public road bridges; the famous Zulu Bungy operates bungee jumping (€70 per jump) on weekends. 15-20 minute stop on the way to or from Ancient Corinth.
Suggested Day Itinerary
8:00 AM: Depart Athens.
9:00 AM: Corinth Canal photo stop (20 minutes).
9:30 AM: Continue to Ancient Corinth (20 minutes).
10:00 AM: Archaeological site and museum (2 hours).
12:00 PM: Lunch at a taverna in Ancient Corinth village (75 minutes).
1:15 PM: Drive up to Acrocorinth fortress (15 minutes).
1:30 PM: Explore Acrocorinth (90 minutes).
3:00 PM: Return drive to Athens.
4:30 PM: Arrive central Athens.
Total cost: €60-90 independent including car + tolls + lunch + entries.
The Apostle Paul Connection
Paul arrived in Corinth around 50 AD and stayed for 18 months, working as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla while preaching to the local Jewish and Greek communities. He founded the Corinthian Christian community, later wrote two of his most important New Testament epistles (1 and 2 Corinthians) to them, and stood trial here before the Roman proconsul Gallio (the trial is recorded in Acts 18:12-17 and Paul was acquitted). For Christian visitors, walking the Roman Forum and seeing the Bema where Paul stood is among the most direct New-Testament-era experiences possible.
Best Time of Year
April-June and September-October: ideal weather. July-August: hot (often 35°C+), particularly difficult at the exposed Acrocorinth fortress. November-March: quiet and cheap; remember Acrocorinth closes at 3 PM in winter.
Practical Tips
The Acrocorinth climb (whether by car-then-walk or full hike) is genuinely demanding; wear sturdy shoes and bring water. The archaeological site is mostly exposed; sun hat essential in summer. Photography permitted everywhere; the Temple of Apollo with Acrocorinth behind is the iconic shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Ancient Corinth from Athens?
80 km west, 1 hour by car via the A8 Athens-Corinth motorway. KTEL bus takes 1.5 hours.
How much does an Ancient Corinth day trip cost?
Independent rental car day trip: €60-90 per person for a couple (car + tolls + entries + lunch). Guided tour: €60-130 per person depending on whether Mycenae or Nafplio are added.
What is the Bema at Ancient Corinth?
The Bema is a raised marble platform in the southern Roman Forum where the Apostle Paul stood trial before the Roman proconsul Gallio in 51 AD (Acts 18:12-17). One of the very few New Testament locations positively identified archaeologically.
Is Acrocorinth worth visiting?
Yes. The medieval fortress sits 575 metres above Ancient Corinth and was one of the largest fortresses in the Mediterranean. Free entry; spectacular views over the Corinthian Gulf and the Peloponnese; the foundations of the Temple of Aphrodite are at the summit. Allow 90 minutes; bring proper hiking shoes.
Can you combine Ancient Corinth with Mycenae?
Yes. Both are 1-2.5 hours west of Athens on the same general route. A combined Corinth + Mycenae + Nafplio day works as a packed 11-12 hour trip; better to split across two days with a Nafplio overnight.
What is the best time to visit Ancient Corinth?
April-June and September-October give the best weather. Visit Acrocorinth in the cool morning hours and the lower archaeological site in the afternoon. In winter, remember Acrocorinth closes at 3 PM.
Is Ancient Corinth wheelchair accessible?
The main archaeological site is partially accessible with paved central paths. The Bema, the Temple of Apollo, and the museum are reachable. Acrocorinth is NOT wheelchair-accessible.
Plan the Rest of Your Athens Trip
For more day trips, see our pillar guide to Day Trips from Athens, our Mycenae & Epidaurus guide, our Nafplio guide, our Delphi guide, our Cape Sounion guide, and our top 25 attractions.