Corinth

Day Trips

Leave Athens and drive southwest until you reach the Corinth Canal that connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea (short stop). Drive on and visit the ancient town of Corinth, where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. The remains of the city, which include the agora (marketplace) and Temple of Apollo (6th-century BC) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in ancient times. A short stop at the site of the ancient Port of Cehrees, where St. Paul disembarked will conclude the visit. Return back to Athens by the same route. If you are staying near the coast, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 15:00 with the tour bus.

After your morning pick-up from your centrally located hotel, the bus will drive to Corinth via Iera Odos (the Sacred Way). It was so-called this because it was the route taken by a procession celebrating the Eleusinian Mysteries. Initiations were held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based in Eleusis. Your first stop will be the Monastery of Daphni, a 11th-century Byzantine monastery listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Monasteries Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios. The interior of the church is decorated with superb mosaics, a unique, fine example of the classical idealism of Middle Byzantine art. The crowded scenes of the mosaics narrate scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin.  Driving along the coastal road, reach Corinth Canal, which merges the Aegean with the Ionian Sea (short stop for photos of the breathtaking view). Shortly thereafter, reach the ancient town of Corinth, where St. Paul lived and preached for two years (Acts 18:1-18). Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla, see the remains of the first century shops, the agora where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene and one of the most outstanding monuments of the pre–Roman period, the Temple of Apollo.

After a pickup from your accommodation, take a 1-hour drive along the mainland coast to Peloponnese and have a brief stop at the Canal of Corinth. Continue on to reach Ancient Corinth, one of Saint Paul’s beloved cities. Have the chance to visit the ancient market and the Bema of Saint Paul, a large elevated rostrum standing prominently in the center of the Roman Forum of Ancient Corinth. Explore the former city-state and walk the same paths the Apostle of Nations once did and see where he preached hundreds of years ago. Next, visit the commercial town of Corinth and the Apostolos Pavlos Church, founded around 51-52 AD. Learn about Saint Paul's presence and life in the city and how he was hosted by the Jews of Achilles and Priscilla. Continue on to Kechrias Port and find out more about Saint Paul's second missionary journey and how he fulfilled a vow by shaving his head.   Conclude your visit with a short stop for a cup of coffee on your return journey back to Athens.

Discover the ancient and natural wonders of Corinth, all in the company of a knowledgeable guide to fill you in on the history of the area. Close to the Ancient city of Corinth, first see the large citadel of Acrocorinth. It was successively used and fortified by many conquerors like the Romans and the Byzantines. Through its imposing entrance gates, enter the castle and explore. Explore the ancient town of Corinth, one of the richest towns in Ancient Greece, where St. Paul lived and preached for 2 years. Visit the ruins of the ancient city in which you can see the remains of the Agora and one of the most outstanding monuments of pre –Roman period, the temple of Apollo. Head to Ancient Heraion and enjoy the chance to have a refreshing swim at the sanctuary's beach. For the more adventurous, have the opportunity to do some cliff-jumping from the surrounding rocks, as the sea in the sanctuary cove is both deep and clear. Visit the Malagavi Lighthouse which is situated above ancient Heraion, on the western tip of cape Malagavi in the Gulf of Corinth. One of the oldest stone lighthouses in Greece built in 1897 that is still in operation you can get to the lighthouse by walking up a small pathway. Take in the views from the lighthouse of the Corinthian gulf, the rugged coastline and Isthmus Canal.

Meet your guide in Athens and travel for 1-hour to the area of Peloponnese. On the way to Mycenae, see the famous Corinth Canal and make a quick stop to admire this engineering marvel that connects the Aegean and Ionian seas. Continue towards Mycenae, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. Visit the Mycenaean Acropolis, the tomb of Agamemnon, and the ruins of the Cyclopean walls that protected this mighty city. You can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Mycenae. Continue on to the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, a 4th-century theater which is one of the best-preserved Classical Greek structures in existence. It is renowned for its amazing acoustics; a coin dropped in the theater's center can be heard from the highest seat. The theater seats up to 14,000 people and its entrance is flanked by restored Corinthian pilasters. It's now used for performances of Ancient Greek drama during the annual Hellenic Festival. Finally, make a stop in the picturesque city of Nafplion, which was the first capital of Greece after Independence and has been a major port since the Bronze Age. Its position was so strategic that the city has 3 fortresses: the massive fortress of Palamidi, the smaller Akronafplia, and the water castle Bourtzi on an islet west of the old town. Stroll through the attractive narrow streets, and admire the elegant Venetian houses, neoclassical mansions, and quayside cafes. Take the opportunity to go shopping, eat in a traditional restaurant, chill out at the cafes in the picturesque port, or take a swim in the crystal waters at Arvanitia beach. Return to any central point in Athens or Piraeus where you will be dropped off. 

Experience a full-day tour which combines the 2 historical cities, Athens and Corinth. Visit the Acropolis which is symbol of democracy. See the Parthenon which is considered the most perfect building in the world. The Erechtheion became famous for its Karyatides, the Propylae, and the reconstructed Temple of Athena Nike. Continue to the Acropolis Museum which was recently voted the fifth best in the world. See the famous Arch of Roman Emperor Adrian and the Temple of Zeus which was the biggest in ancient world. Catch a panoramic view over Athens from Mount Lycabettus and take some beautiful pictures. Visit the Panathinaiko Stadium which hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896. Watch the changing of the guards at the Parliament. Tour around the city center and see some fantastic Neoclassic buildings such as the University of Athens, the Academy of Art and Sciences, and the National Library. See the residence of Sleiman, the Geman Archaeologist who found Troy. Afterwards, continue southwest to Corinth an make a short stop to see the Corinth Canal and the Diolkos which helped the Corinthians to pull the ships along. Arrive in ancient Corinth, where you can see ruins of 2 theaters, the Temple of Apollo, temples of the Roman period, and of course the altar where Saint Paul spoke to the Corinthians about the new religion. The Museum which hosts hundreds of artifacts from different periods is really interesting. After lunch (optional) you'll return back to Athens.

Enjoy easy transfer to and from your accommodation with your professional guide. On this tour, you will discover everything from the engineering marvel of the Corinth Canal, to the ruins of Ancient Corinth and the Theater of Epidaurus with its amazing acoustics and the UNESCO site of Ancient Mycenae with its palace of Agamemnon. Enjoy lunch in the beautiful medieval port city of Nafplio with its views of the Venetian castle of Bourtzi. Take time to explore its many local craft shops & boutiques. Sit back in full leather comfort in a new Black Mercedes E-Class or AudiA6 with WiFi as you pass the olive fields, orchards & Aegean views of the famous Peloponnese countryside. A great option for families, small groups, and experienced travelers with flexibility to go at your own pace.