The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for many modern ships. From high up, you can enjoy the best view of Corinth's isthmus and admire the steep limestone walls while you observe the vessels below you navigate their way through the canal.
Corinth was a city-state on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta. The modern city of Corinth is located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) northeast of the ancient ruins. For Christians, Corinth is well known from the two letters of Saint Paul in the New Testament, First and Second Corinthians. Corinth is also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as part of Paul the Apostle's missionary travels. In addition, the second book of Pausanias' Description of Greece is devoted to Corinth. Ancient Corinth was one of the largest and most important cities of Greece, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC. The Romans demolished Corinth in 146 BC, built a new city in its place in 44 BC, and later made it the provincial capital of Greece.
The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth was constructed between 1931-1932, with intentions to display the numerous recent archaeological excavations. The museum is located within the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, Greece, and lies under the jurisdiction of the 37th Ephoreia of the Greek Archaeological Service. Key aspects of the Archaeological site of Ancient Corinth include: Hadgimoustafa spring Lechaion Road Basilica Fountain of Peirene Stoa Agora Odien Other temples Theatre
The Temple of Apollo at Corinth was constructed in 550 BC.
Acrocorinth, "Upper Corinth", the acropolis of ancient Corinth, is a monolithic rock overseeing the ancient city of Corinth, Greece. With its secure water supply, Acrocorinth's fortress was repeatedly used as a last line of defense in southern Greece because it commanded the Isthmus of Corinth, repelling foes from entry by land into the Peloponnese peninsula.
Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus is a museum in Epidaurus, in Argolis on the Peloponnese peninsula, Greece. The museum, noted for its reconstructions of temples and its columns and inscriptions, was established in 1902 and opened in 1909 to display artifacts unearthed in the ancient site of Epidaurus in the surrounding area.
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a theatre in the Greek city of Epidaurus, located on the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. It is built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, near modern Lygourio, and belongs to the Epidaurus Municipality. It is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics. The monument retains the characteristic tripartite structure of a Hellenistic theatre that has a theatron, orchestra, and skene. During Roman times, the theatre (unlike many Greek theatres) did not suffer any modifications.
The Temple of Asclepius was a sanctuary in Epidaurus dedicated to Asclepius. It was the main holy site of Asclepius. The sanctuary at Epidaurus was the rival of such major cult sites as the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and Apollo at Delphi. The temple was built in the early 4th century BC. If still in use by the 4th century AD, the temple would have been closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire, when the Christian Emperors issued edicts prohibiting non-Christian worship.
Free time for lunch, coffee, or shopping at the ‘Naples of the East’ rich in Venetian architecture, cobbled squares, and towering castles with commanding views of the Argolic Gulf. Afterwards, unwind by the harbor or get lost in the colorful back streets of the most elegant town in mainland Greece. Nafplio is a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was an important seaport held under a succession of royal houses in the Middle Ages as part of the lordship of Argos and Nauplia, held initially by the de la Roche following the Fourth Crusade before coming under the Republic of Venice and, lastly, the Ottoman Empire. The town was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the regional unit of Argolis.
Enjoy the view of the water castle of Bourtzi, a Venetian castle located in the middle of the harbor of Nafplio, and take fascinating photos from the harbor side.
The Acronauplia is the oldest part of the city of Nafplion in Greece. Until the thirteenth century, it was a town on its own. The arrival of the Venetians and the Franks transformed it into part of the town's fortifications. Later, part of it was used as a prison until the Greek government decided that the view provided from its location would benefit the local tourism and built a hotel complex which still stands there today.
Palamidi is a fortress to the east of the Acronauplia in the town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill, the fortress was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686–1715). The fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Náfplio and the surrounding country. There are 913 steps in the winding stair from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress there are over one thousand, while locals in the town of Nafplion will say there are 999 steps to the top of the castle.
Our driver Michael was excellent. The whole journey felt very safe and was tailored to our requirements. The sights were without exception amazing and Michael gave us lots of fascinating information. Would thoroughly recommend.
We really enjoyed our day. The communication was efficient. Our driver was friendly and courteous. He told us interesting stories about the area and history and was able to answer most of our questions. The car was comfortable and well maintained and the driving excellent. We went to to the archeological sites and museums. We particularly enjoyed the Corinth amphitheater and the museum that had artefacts that explained everyday life. The drive to and from Athens went through some beautiful scenery. It made for a relaxing and peaceful day as we did not have to drive on “the wrong “ side of the road, cope with traffic or parking. It may have cost more but it was well worth it with the added benefit of having a guide. Be aware that it costs 20EUR for each entry which adds to the cost of the day.
Panos the driver is definitely perfect! Speaks good English and know the history and very considerate! We actually wish to have him next time
Nick our driver was excellent, giving us information about each of the places we visited. He was punctual. The van transportation was outstanding. We highly recommend this tour and your company.
Our driver, Alex, was great! He arrived early to pick us up, and he was a good driver. I sometime get motion sick when other people are driving, but I had no problem on our tour with Alex. The car was very nice and comfortable, and Alex provided us with chilled water throughout the day. Alex was very knowledgeable about the ancient and modern history of Greece, and we enjoyed learning what he shared. Seeing the Corinth Canal and Ancient Corinth was fascinating. We thoroughly enjoyed all the sights Alex drove us to. He also showed us some beautiful panoramic views over the harbors and the land. We stopped for a yummy lunch at a restaurant in Nafplion and then continued the tour, making our way back to Athens. I highly recommend taking this tour and requesting Alex as your driver, especially if you're interested in the history of the area.
Awesome day! Dimitri was hilarious!
Panos, our guide was awesome, very knowledgeable and kind. He was fun to talk to and took time with some very tired travelers. The car was immaculate and he made us feel safe diving in Athens Overall 10/10
We had the most wonderful time! Our tour guide, Notis, was phenomenal. He is well versed in Greek history and culture that elevated our expedition to the next level. He was kind, compassionate, and respectful. I would highly recommend booking this tour!
Panos, our guide, was great. Very interesting stops and a beautiful location.
Great day! Safe driving. Very kind to our crew of 3 couples.
An Unforgettable Day Exploring Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus, and Nafplio with Michael We recently enjoyed an outstanding private day trip from Athens to the historic sites of Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus, and the charming coastal town of Nafplio with our exceptional guide and driver, Michael. Michael picked us up promptly in a comfortable, air-conditioned van. He drove us all over the Peloponnese, taking us efficiently from one location to the next while sharing fascinating insights into the archaeological sites along the way. Epidaurus was a particular highlight. The ancient Sanctuary of Asclepius felt incredibly atmospheric, with its remarkably well-preserved theater standing out as one of the most impressive ancient structures we’ve seen. We were amazed by the perfect acoustics—whispering from the top rows could be heard clearly on stage. The ruins of the healing sanctuary, with its sacred springs and temples, offered a fascinating glimpse into ancient Greek medicine and spirituality. Wandering the site at our own pace while reflecting on its 2,500-year history was deeply moving. Michael also brought us to a stunning new viewpoint overlooking Nafplio, the harbor, and the Bourtzi fortress—a hidden gem we would have never discovered on our own. The panoramic views were breathtaking. After a full morning of exploring, Michael took us to a wonderful local restaurant for an excellent lunch. The meal was fresh, authentic, and perfectly chosen. Before saying goodbye, Michael capped off the perfect day with an excellent gelato recommendation. The creamy, flavorful scoops from the small shop he suggested were the ideal sweet ending to our adventure. Michael was more than just a driver—he was an outstanding host, storyteller, and local expert all in one. His passion for the region, attention to detail, and genuine care for making our day special made the entire experience truly memorable. We couldn’t recommend him or this day trip highly enough. If you’re considering a visit to the Peloponnese region from Athens, booking with Michael is an absolute must. Rating: 5/5 – Highly recommended!
Had a wonderful time. He was a good driver, kind, polite, and knowledgeable. He did a wonderful job and we enjoyed ourselves very much.
The tour was great. Mike was very knowledgeable and helpful. We enjoyed ourselves very much.
We had an amazing day exploring sites outside of Athens. Spyros was a fantastic, caring host. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the areas we visited and helped us really understand more about the country and history. The tour took 9+ hours, but was broken up really well with some driving and stopping for visiting the canal, Mycenae, Napflio and Epidaurus. Lunch was quite a treat. Sypros was a wonderful driver, taking very good care of us and ensuring we saw so many amazing places. Highly recommend!
A long day, worth the money. Our driver picked us up at 9am sharp and we did not get back to hotel until 6pm. Incredible scenery of outside of Athens. We saw so much history in Ancient Corinth, which the Romans destroyed in 146 BC and had an authentic, late in the afternoon, Greek lunch near a seaport, which was a great ending to this tour.
Alex was our driver and arrived on time in a clean modern car in excellent condition. We were picked up and returned to our Airbnb in Athens. Alex was also the tour guide providing lots of information both historical and practical about each of the places we visited. We decided how much time we wanted to stay at each stop which was terrific. He also pointed out other historic places along the trip. He was a good driver and knew the ins and outs of where we were going. We had lots of lively and fun discussions throughout the trip. Alex’s English was fluent and easy to understand. We started at 8am and got back around 6:30pm. We had a wonderful and relaxing day on this private tour. Highly recommend Alex and this company.
My wife and I had a wonderful day getting to see multiple locations outside of Athens. Our driver was kind and knowledgable. He did a wonderful job getting us to each location and explaining the history of the area.
We had the absolute pleasure of spending a full day in Corinth with our guide, Alex, and it was truly unforgettable. From the very beginning, Alex’s warmth, energy, and deep knowledge set the tone for an incredible experience. He brought history to life with vivid storytelling, weaving together myths, culture, and modern insights in a way that kept us engaged all day. Alex’s passion for the region shone through in every stop, whether exploring ancient ruins or pointing out hidden gems off the beaten path. Patient, attentive, and genuinely kind, Alex made us feel like friends, not just visitors.
We were fortunate that our guide, Fotis was wonderful. Very informative about all the places we toured. Very accommodating and gave a choice of 2 places for our unbelievable Greek lunch. Local cafe high overlooking Ancient Corinth, countryside and Aegean Sea. Great food choices for the four in our small group. Personally I had beef and rice stuffed cabbage rolls, fresh made bread with olive oil laced with spices and finished with a taste of others orange spice cake & Baklava. Ooh so delicious. My husband loved the local draft beer,too. And the country side, villages we visited all day were perfect for our expectations. The small museum, ruins and places Apostle Paul spoke to the Corinthians during the 18 months he lived there were so moving. Now when I read the Letters he wrote to the Corinthians during my reading of the New Testament, it is so meaningful and moving because I have seen where he spoke those words during that time. Also, being a stroke survivor on a walker I was able to see up close and viewed the Corinth Canal with its steep walls and blue water from the bridge. From 1-10, I would rate it a 10. Great tour and guide. Very knowledgeable about the area, Greece & History. Plus great personality and English. Picked us up at Intercontinental Hotel at scheduled time.
Costa was our driver and amazing. We got an early 7 AM start and beat the traffic out of town. Costa was personable and a wealth of information. We highly recommend this tour. We originally booked with Nimea wine vinyards, but when you only have a day you cannot miss the historical sites and Nafplio is a gem. Took the boat out to Bourtzi as well and I thought that was worth the boat fare and admission. The Canal is a must,but doesn't take long. The Corinth Museum and site was ok, but not on the scale of what we saw in Ephesus later in our trip. We stopped in the Corinth harbor where Apostle Paul likely docked and all the locals can swim just down the beach from the location.
Our family had an excellent tour. Our guide/driver, Spyros, picked us up on time, gave insightful information, and made slight adjustments based on our interests. This trip would have been great with any guide, but was truly excellent because of Spyros! The personal touches that were given made this tour 5 stars!
Very relaxed and personal tour. Alex was great and was very accommodating to any of our needs. He even stopped on the way home at an unexpected stop because I had asked a question earlier about the area. He also adjusted our time for lunch. He was awesome!
We took this trip out of Athens, although we had to reschedule to a later date due to flight delays (My Athens Transfers was able to accommodate). Costa was our guide and was very informative about the sites, and the historical background of the areas we traveled. When we arrived at Napflio, he gave us the inside knowledge of where to go, what to avoid, and the best attractions base on our interest. This was a really great excursion.
This was a lot of driving from Athens, but we saw a lot of great sights that we wouldn't have otherwise seen. Lunch was fabulous! Our guide was really flexible, very nice and professional.
We went on a tour exploring some beautiful parts of Greece. Petros Mavridis was our driver. He is very knowledgeable about Greek history. He is a very safe driver and has a pleasant demeanor. All in all it was a very nice day.
Great experience and comprehensive visit to the area, very comfortable transportation, efficient trip. Loved the cultural explanations and the sights.
Excellent our guide Alex excellent!! he was on time, knowledgeable clean car great and driver! The food on the tour was amazing also!
Costa was amazing! He went about and beyond for us. We learned so much and absolutely loved how punctual he was picking us up. The tour was perfect and lunch was great! Highly reccomend!
Alex was amazing. Very knowledgeable and helpful. Weather wasn’t great but he made sure it was a great day. Highly recommend.
We highly recommend this private tour. This was our first private Day Trip ever. Our Guide Nick picked us up in a nice luxury vehicle and we travelled in comfort and style to multiple in Peloponnese sites. I loved the fact our guide Nick gave us all the history prior to arriving to the site so my husband and I could explore the ruins at our own pace and take photos and then return for pick to move on the next archeological sites. Nick was a gracious tour guide that provided wonderful insight about the sites we would visit and explore. We had the opportunity to be dropped off in front of all archeological sites and picked up directly at the exits of every site to move on to the next destination. Nick was such a gentleman to open and close the car the doors and assist me out of the car. I would recommend this tour to anyone looking for a 5 star day excursion. Peloponnese locations: The Corinth Canal - we spent 10 minutes and took photos and actually saw a large ship being pulled by a tug boat. The Mycenae fortress- was breathtaking to tour and walk through the Lions Gate. We spent 1 hour and 20 minutes touring the site. My husband and I toured the ancient fortress and ruin and took fabulous photos. It was so fascinating to see the richness of Mycenae nation. Agamemnon commanded this fortress (citadel) thousands of years ago. Ancient Corinth- The rock of Acrocorinth was visualized when visiting the Ancient Corinth where great riches were amassed due to it being a rich trading post during Mycenaean times. The Temple of Apollo was also visited while in Ancient Corinth. Lastly, we were able to trace the steps of The Apostle Paul when he ministered the gospel in Ancient Corinth. Epidauros- Spent an 1 hour, hiking to the top of the Theatre of Epidarous. We also saw the ruins of Asklepios, the god of health. Nafplio - 2 hours spent for more exploration of fortresses, dining, and shopping. Beautiful seaside town with amazing views of the Agean Sea. “First capital of Greece in 1829”.
Our driver/guide was very knowledgeable, organised, personable and considerate. The itinerary was a great mix of historical attractions and scenic places.
Great experience. The ride was excellent. Plenty of time. Taken lots of pictures. We really enjoyed the trip. Driver was really helpful and knowledgeable.
Spiros was very helpful and caring - he even joked around with the kids. We thoroughly enjoyed the historical sites and wonderful perspectives!
An incredible tour with our driver Spiros being a highlight of the trip. A fun full day of seeing incredible sights and learning new facts along the entire way. Extremely professional and timely the entire day and willing to work with us every step of the way.
Very good experience with the knowledge of St. Paul on his Christian teachings. Driver George is knowledgeable about the area we went. He also explained Greek culture and history.
Kostantinos was an excellent guide and host. Very knowledgeable and was able to guide us to the best things to see and made the explanations both entertaining and informative.
Konstantinos was amazing. It seemed everyone was his friend. He had great stories about his mom in which has been a guide for 40 years. Very knowledgeable on Greek history. We loved it.
We are so glad we did the steps of St. Paul…. This was the most important… but our tour guide, George was such a gentleman and so very knowledgeable. So easy to ask questions….Excellent Job… will definitely hire him again when we return to Greece!😇 Peter & Lele Poole- Oxford MS USA Doug & Jan Jouravel- Chattanooga TN USA
This was a great tour, made even more better because our driver, Costa, was so entertaining and full of information. He took us to all the places suggested and was very flexible and polite at all times. We got to see many interesting places in just one day, and it was great for us, as we only had that one day. I would strongly recommend this tour, especially if you get Costa as a driver!
Our driver and guide, Petros, was outstanding. He is very friendly and knowledgeable. He speaks excellent English and was very easy to understand. Petros was very attentive and responsive to our every need. We had many engaging conversations, not only obout ancient history but also about more recent history, covering bith Worls Wars and even Greek civil wars. The views were also outstanding and well-worth the price of the tour.
Great trip. Our guide Costa was perfect. Views, stories, history, authentic lunch etc were exactly what we were hoping for.
My sister booked this for us Melissa Ickes. Our driver and tour guide was amazing. We felt safe and cared for. As if we were his visiting Aunts. He explained everything to us with great interesting detail. Michael was so sweet, respectful and did not rush us in the different locations.
This was a great day trip to take outside of Athens! We had a great time exploring the hilltop fortresses in Corinth and Nafplio and visiting the amphitheater in Epidaurus! George was a great guide/driver and gave us a lot of information about the areas we were visiting and the sites we were exploring! We felt like we had a good amount of time in each site to explore and not feel rushed, which is always nice when visiting new places! George always made sure we were happy with the pace at which the tour was progressing and that we had enough cold water with us when we were at the sites as it was extremely hot. Would definitely do a private tour again as it was extremely nice to not have to be part of a large group!
Good way to get to a lot of places in a relaxed manner. The reservation is only to get a driver to drive you around. Our driver was nice and efficient but didn’t say much. You can also consider renting a car. Not much to see in Corinth but Epidaurus was amazing.
Our day trip with Michael was wonderful! We were picked up right at our apartment in Athena’s and went to Ancient Corinth and Nafplion. The van was extremely comfortable and Michael was very helpful and knowledgable. We would highly recommend these services!
The tour was excellent. Costas was our driver, he was very knowledgable in history and mythology, very attentive to our needs, patient and kind, he always ensured we were comfortable and would let us spend as much time at each stop as needed, he was able to customize the tour and provide us with so much useful information.
this tour is amazing, george was so great and took my family to all the sights and showed them as much as he can. the cost is very very reasonable for a private tour and wayy better than other companies! if you need a tour for greece this is your guy!
Very nice tour where Nicos has done everything possible to adapt the tour to our needs. Flexibility and fantastic places visited. What else!? Many thanks.
Our tour guide Michael was exceptional with his knowledge and customer service. We had our own private car with full air-conditioning and cold water on a hot day, all day. All sights visited today were full of amazing history and Michael knew and answered everything!! What an experience!!
This was an amazing tour! I went with my parents to see an adaptation of Iphigenia in Aulis at the Theatre of Epidaurus and had a wonderful time. The atmosphere of the theatre and the production itself were spectacular. Our guide, Fotis, was an excellent companion, making sure that we were comfortable on the long drive from Athens to Corinth and was always polite and engaging. His conversation and information regarding the history and culture of the region was very much appreciated and I would recommend his services to anyone who wants competent and attentive guidance through the Peloponnese.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email