Corinth & Surroundings
Corinth is the first point of contact for most Peloponnese travelers — here you cross the famous canal and enter the peninsula. The ancient city was one of the most powerful and richest in the Greek world, strategically perfectly located between two seas. Today, modern Corinth is a rather unexciting provincial town, but the surroundings offer three worthwhile stops.
Corinth Canal★★
The Corinth Canal is one of the most impressive engineering feats in Greece — and a place far more spectacular than expected. Between 1882 and 1893, workers carved a 6.3 km long, 24.6 m wide, and up to 80 m deep canal through the isthmus that separates the Peloponnese from the mainland. The dream of building a canal here is ancient: Periander (600 BC) and Nero (67 AD) already attempted it.
The most impressive view is from the old bridge (near Loutraki): below you, the vertical limestone walls, 80 meters deep, and tiny ships gliding through the narrow gap. It is a surreal image — like a cut through the earth with a knife.
Bungee Jumping
For adrenaline junkies: Zulu Bungy offers bungee jumps from the bridge — 80 meters of free fall over the canal. One of the most spectacular bungee spots in Europe. From 80€, reservation recommended (zulubungy.com).
Canal Cruise
From the port of Isthmia, small excursion boats sail through the canal (approx. 30 min., 15–20€). From below, the dimensions are even more imposing — the walls rise like canyon walls above you.
Freely accessible from the bridge (parking available on both sides). Best in the morning for photos — then the sun is optimal. 1 hour from Athens, directly on the Athens–Peloponnese highway.
Ancient Corinth
Ancient Corinth was one of the most powerful cities in Greece — famous for wealth, trade, and (according to its neighbors) decadence. The Apostle Paul preached here and wrote his famous letters to the Corinthians.
★★ Temple of Apollo
The landmark of ancient Corinth: seven Doric columns from the 6th century BC rise above the ruins — one of the oldest stone temples in Greece. The warm light of the late afternoon turns the limestone golden — THE photo moment.
★★ Acrocorinth
The imposing fortress on the 575 m high table mountain above Corinth is one of the largest fortifications in Greece. Three rings of walls (ancient, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman) on top of each other. The drive up takes 10 minutes by car, then another 15 minutes on foot to the highest point. The panoramic view over the Gulf of Corinth, the Peloponnese, and on a clear day as far as Athens is sensational — and admission is free!
Museum & Agora
The archaeological museum displays finds from the area — especially the ceramics (Corinth was THE center of Greek vase painting). The extensive Agora with the Peirene Fountain, the Stoa halls, and the Bema (speaker's platform where Paul stood before the proconsul Gallio) takes 1–2 hours.
Entrance: 8€ (site + museum). Acrocorinth: free. April–October: 8–20 hrs. November–March: 8:30–15:30 hrs. 15 min. from modern Corinth.
Loutraki
Loutraki is the most popular seaside resort on the Gulf of Corinth — a Greek spa town with thermal springs, a long pebble beach, a waterfront promenade full of cafes, and the largest casino in Greece (Club Hotel Casino Loutraki). For Peloponnese travelers, Loutraki is a pleasant stopover: the water is clean, the restaurants solid, and the spa (from 10€ admission) is a relief after a long day of driving.
The town is not a highlight destination, but a practical stop right by the Corinth Canal — ideal for a night at the beginning or end of a Peloponnese tour.