Step into Ancient Corinth: Temples, Myths & Hidden Stories

2025-03-31

Here are the secrets of Ancient Corinth: a complete guide to exploring the city. Find out if this archaeological site is worth including in your Greek itinerary.

Corinth was one of the richest and most influential cities in Ancient Greece, known for its commercial and cultural power.

Its strategic position on the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow strip of land linking mainland Greece to the Peloponnese, allowed it to control maritime traffic between the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

As a result, it prospered for centuries and, even today, you can see a large number of artifacts and buildings from that era.

Corinth was also an important cultural and religious center, with temples dedicated to Apollo and Aphrodite. In fact, the city’s most famous tourist attraction is the magnificent Temple of Apollo.

The city is also closely linked to the apostle Paul, who evangelized here and left his epistles to the Corinthians for posterity.

But there is much more to see in the ancient city of Corinth.

So we invite you to join us on this journey and discover the temples and myths hidden in these ruins.

What to see and do in Ancient Corinth

The city of Ancient Corinth is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, as it is full of traces of its great history.

Between temples, fountains and the vast agora, there’s plenty to discover. Here are the main tourist attractions in the ancient city of Corinth, Greece.

Inscriptions mentioning a Hebrew synagogue in Ancient Corinth, related to the Apostle St. Paul.

Temple of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo, built in the 6th century BC, is one of the most impressive structures in Corinth.

This Doric temple originally had 38 columns, but today only seven remain, which still dominate the landscape.

Unlike other Greek temples, its architecture reflected the influence of the archaic style, with monolithic columns instead of superimposed drums.

Interestingly, the temple continued to be used during the Roman period, despite the predominance of other cults.

The Romans even modified the space to suit their own rituals.

Seeing the Temple of Apollo in Ancient Corinth.

Ancient Agora

The Agora of Corinth was the political, commercial and social heart of the city.

Here, citizens gathered to discuss public affairs, conduct business and attend speeches and religious events.

Today, the ruins allow us to imagine the grandeur of the agora, which included several administrative buildings, temples and stores.

One of the highlights is the Bema, the platform where the Apostle Paul is said to have delivered his speeches to the Corinthians.

Another point of interest is the remains of Lechaion Street, a paved road that connected the city to the port of Lechaion, essential for Corinth’s trade.

Fountain of Peirene

The Fountain of Peirene is one of Corinth’s most emblematic sites.

This is because for the ancient Greeks, it was much more than just a water fountain: it was shrouded in myth and legend.

Thus, according to mythology, Pirene wept so much over the death of her son that the gods transformed her into a fountain.

In addition to its mythological importance, this fountain was essential for the city’s water supply and a meeting place for the inhabitants.

The structure visible today was remodeled during the Roman period, with arches and underground reservoirs.

See the Fountain of Pirene in Ancient Corinth. — Seeing the Fountain of Pirene in Ancient Corinth.

Corinth Archaeological Museum

For those who want to better understand the history of Corinth, the Archaeological Museum is a must-see.

The museum brings together finds from prehistoric to Roman times, including statues, mosaics, ceramics and everyday objects.

Among the most important pieces are Roman mosaics, marble statues and inscriptions that reveal details about life in Corinth.

The museum also has artifacts linked to the cult of Aphrodite and objects from the ancient fountain of Pirene.

Visiting tips:

The museum is inside the archaeological site, so it’s a good idea to visit it before or after exploring the ruins.
Some of the explanatory plaques are in English and Greek, but a guide can make the experience even more enriching.
The entrance ticket to Ancient Corinth includes access to the museum, so no additional fee is required.

Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty and sexuality in ancient Greek religion.

Exploring the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth.

What to see and do in Ancient Corinth: see the Archaeological Museum of Corinth.

Everyday utensils on display at the Corinth Museum.

Statues in the Archaeological Museum of Corinth.

A Brief History of Ancient Corinth

Since prehistoric times, Corinth has stood out for its maritime trade and craft production.

In the 8th century BC, the city became a major commercial and naval center, founding important colonies such as Corcira (now Corfu) and Syracuse, in Sicily.

Its government went through different phases, from monarchy to oligarchy and tyranny. One of the most notable rulers was Périander, who boosted the city’s development and built the Diolco, a stone causeway used to transport ships overland between the two seas, where the Corinth Canal is today.

Corinth’s location made it one of the main trading posts in the Greek world. Merchants crossing the isthmus preferred to avoid the dangerous sea voyage around the Peloponnese by transporting their ships overland with the help of the Dioecus. This guaranteed the city enormous wealth through taxes and trade in goods.

In addition, Corinth had one of the most powerful navies in Ancient Greece and was an important player in conflicts between city-states. During the Persian Wars, it fought alongside Athens and Sparta, but in the Peloponnesian Wars (431-404 BC), it allied with Sparta against Athens.

In 146 BC, during the Macedonian Wars, Corinth clashed with Rome. In retaliation, the Roman general Lucius Mummius completely destroyed the city, killing or enslaving its inhabitants and reducing it to ruins.

However, in 44 BC, Julius Caesar ordered the city to be rebuilt as a Roman colony called Colonia Laus Iulia Corinthiensis.

Corinth soon became one of the most important commercial centers in the Mediterranean.

During the Roman period, Corinth was also an important place for early Christianity. The apostle Paul visited the city and wrote the Letters to the Corinthians, which form part of the New Testament.

Everything you need to know before visiting Ancient Corinth

Where is it and how to get there?

Ancient Corinth is located in the Peloponnese region of Greece, about 80 km from Athens.

The quickest and most flexible way to get to Ancient Corinth is by car. The journey takes about an hour along the A8 highway (Athens-Patras).

There are tolls along the way, so you’ll want to have some cash or a card ready to pay.

👉 Do you need to rent a car in Corinth? I always use Discovercars!

Another way is to join a tour, of which there are several that can be bought online in advance.

The advantage of these tours is that they usually include a travel guide, who is very helpful in explaining both the ruins and the history of the place.

You can also visit other emblematic Greek sites at the same time, such as the Corinth Canal. I recommend the following:

Are Corinth and Ancient Corinth the same thing?

No, Corinth and Ancient Corinth are not the same thing.

So, Ancient Corinth refers to the archaeological site where the city-state of Corinth stood in Ancient Greece.

This historical site includes ruins such as the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Agora and the Pyrenean Fountain.

On the other hand, Corinth (modern) is a present-day city, located about 3 km from the ruins of Ancient Corinth. It is a port city and an important commercial center in the Peloponnese region.

Is it worth a visit?

Yes, Ancient Corinth is well worth a visit!

In fact, if you’re interested in history and archaeology, this is one of the most interesting sites in Greece. The Temple of Apollo, with its imposing 6th century BC columns, and the Ancient Agora give you an idea of the city’s grandeur.

The Archaeological Museum is also worth a visit, as it displays important finds such as mosaics, statues and inscriptions.

In addition, there is a mythical side to the visit, with sites such as the Pirene Fountain, shrouded in legend.

In other words, it’s a journey back in time to Ancient Greece, without the crowds of Athens.

How long does it take to visit the ruins of Ancient Corinth and the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth?

To visit the ruins of Ancient Corinth and the Archaeological Museum, it is recommended to allow between 2 and 3 hours.

📍 Ruins of Ancient Corinth – About 1h30 to 2h is enough to explore the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Agora and other archaeological structures calmly.

🏛️ Archaeological Museum of Corinth – The visit can take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your interest in looking at the exhibits and reading the information. If you’re like me and want to take pictures of everything, then you can expect to spend at least an hour there.

But if your aim is to visit in more depth, appreciate the details and take photos, you may need a little more time.

Dionysus is the Greek god of wine, festivity, and ecstasy.

Statues on display at the Corinth Museum, from a workshop. They don't have the heads because they were custom-made afterwards. — Statues on display at the Corinth Museum, from a workshop. They don’t have the heads because they were custom-made afterwards.

Best time to visit

They say that the best time to visit Ancient Corinth is in spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) and I’ll explain why!

In spring and fall the temperatures are pleasant, between 15ºC and 25ºC, and there are fewer tourists. So it’s ideal for exploring the ruins without the intense heat of summer.

In summer (June to August) you can expect very hot days, with temperatures above 30ºC, and a greater influx of visitors. If you go at this time, it’s best to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

I visited the ruins of Ancient Corinth in winter (December to February) and found mild temperatures, between 5ºC and 15ºC, and few tourists.

Also, the ruins were almost empty, which made my visit very pleasant.

Columns and other archaeological remains in Ancient Corinth.

What to take on your visit

To visit Ancient Corinth in comfort and make the most of the experience, I recommend taking the following essential items:

Comfortable footwear – The ruins have uneven and slippery terrain, so sturdy shoes or sneakers are a must.
Water – The climate can be hot and dry, especially in summer, and there is little shade at the archaeological site.
Sunscreen and a hat – Most of the visit is outdoors, so there is little protection from the sun.
Camera or cell phone – The landscape and monuments are impressive, so it’s worth recording the details.
Light backpack – Useful for carrying essential items without being an extra burden during the tour.
Light snack – There aren’t many food options near the ruins, so it can be useful to take something to eat.

Rock inscriptions and other archaeological remains in Ancient Corinth.

Other tourist attractions near Ancient Corinth

So, not far from Ancient Corinth I recommend visiting the Corinth Canal (13 km), the seaside resort of Loutraki (19 km), Lake Vouliagmeni (37 km) and the Temple of Hera in Perachora (38 km).