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Contents
1. Introduction
We visited Corinth while we were staying at nearby Nafplio. We opted not to stay in Corinth as it isn't a particularly attractive city. It is definitely worth a visit to see the spectacular Corinth canal, the fortress of Acrocorinth and ancient Corinth. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to see these 3 sights.
2. Corinth Canal
The 6 kilometre long Corinth canal was opened in 1893. It provides a short cut for vessels sailing between the Aegean and Ionian seas. Corinth canal is a spectacular sight. Unfortunately you rarely see ships sailing on it nowadays as it isn't wide enough for most commercial vessels.
The best view of Corinth Canal is from the bridge at the northern end of the isthmus. Enter"Díolkos" on Google maps to locate it. There is free parking on the eastern side of the bridge where there are several restaurants. There is a path on both sides of the bridge for viewing Corinth canal.
3. Acrocorinth
3.1. About Acrocorinth
Acrocorinth is the ancient acropolis of Corinth and dates back to the 7th century BC. The Romans destroyed Acrocorinth in 146 BC and then rebuilt it in 44 BC. Fortifications and buildings were erected and added to over the centuries by the Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Franks, Venetians and Turks.
Acrocorinth is a massive site on top of the mountain and still largely encircled by 2 kilometres of defensive walls. Acrocorinth is definitely worth visiting to see the fortifications, historic buildings and the views.
3.2. How to get to Acrocorinth
Acrocorinth is a 15 minute drive from modern Corinth and the final 5 minutes is up a steep paved road. There is a free car park at the top. From there it is a 5 minute walk on some slippery stones to the entrance gate in the fortifications.
3.3. Opening Times & Entrance Fee for Acrocorinth
Acrocorinth is open from 08.30 to 15.30 each day. Surprisingly it is free to enter. I cannot see this large site getting crowded even in peak season. The slippery stones and the walk up the hill means that there will be very few tour groups.
3.4. What to See at Acrocorinth
We spent an hour and 45 minutes exploring Acrocorinth's large site. The rocky paths, particularly from the car park to the entrance, can be very slippery. Wear good footwear and be careful. If it is raining it would be advisable to postpone your visit. There is very little shade.
The main things to see are:
Acrocorinth's Fortifications
The double wall fortifications are the most impressive feature of Acrocorinth. You get a good view of them from the Frankish Tower at the top of the mountain. Also if you turn right after the entrance gate you can walk on a section of the walls. When looking back the walls are very impressive.
The Chapel of St Dimitrios
This small chapel was built in the 17th century and it is free to enter.
Acrocorinth Mosque or Sultan Ahmed III Mosque
This mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmed III after the Ottoman reconquest of 1715. You cannot enter the mosque but you can look into the interior.
The Southwestern (Frankish) Tower
The exact date of its construction isn't known but it was during the Frankish occupation of Greece in the 13th and 14th centuries. The Frankish tower was restored in 2014.
It is possible to enter the Frankish Tower and climb up. You cannot get onto the roof nor see any views. There are good views from the area outside the Frankish Tower.
4. Ancient Corinth
4.1. About Ancient Corinth
Ancient Corinth is a 10 minute drive from modern Corinth and is below the Acrocorinth.
Corinth was raised to the ground by the Romans in 146 BC and then rebuilt in 44 BC. It was a large city and became the capital of Greece in the Roman era. The city declined after it was plundered in 1147.
It is a massive archaeological site but is mostly overgrown ruins. It is still very impressive and worth a visit to see the Temple of Apollo, Fountain of Peirene, the main street (Lechaion Way) and the museum.
4.2. Opening Hours and Entrance Fee
Both the site and the museum for ancient Corinth open at 08.00 and in the peak season close at 20.00. It closes slightly earlier at other times. See the odysseus.culture website for details
There is an entrance fee of Eur 8 and this covers both the site and the museum for ancient Corinth.
4.3. Parking and Toilets
There is free parking and toilets are outside the museum.
4.4. What to See
You can spend 1 to 2 hours at Ancient Corinth. There is an interesting museum. The other main sites to see are:
4.5. The Temple of Apollo
This impressive temple was built in the 5th century BC and has 7 Doric columns.
4.6. The Main Road (Lechaion Way)
This was the main north-south artery of the Roman city. It linked Corinth with the harbor of Lechaion on the Corinthian gulf 3 kilometers to the north.
4.7. Peirene Fountain
This beautiful building was constructed by the Romans. It had been a simple spring for many centuries before that. The Romans added a grandiose façade, a great court, and an open-air basin holding 81,000 gallons of water. The Fountain of Peirene was the city’s most important water supply.
5. Links to my other blogs on Greece
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