Discover a breathtaking site with our guide to the Corinth Canal!
Greece is world-famous for its ancient remains, but that’s not all there is to see. If you’re in theAthens area, you should take the opportunity to visit the Corinth Canal, which allows boats to cross the isthmus. This canal, carved out of the rock over a distance of some 6 kilometers, is a veritable feat of engineering, as are the structures that cross it.
Civil engineering enthusiasts will appreciate the viaducts and submersible bridges that can be seen along its route. It also attracts many tourists hoping to immortalize the passage of a boat between the high cliffs. Last but not least, the surrounding region is rich in historical sites and seaside resorts where you can relax and unwind. If you’re interested in visiting the Corinth Canal, here’s everything you need to know in this comprehensive guide.
The Corinth Canal at a glance
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Alika Obraz
Just 80 kilometers from Athens, a visit to the Corinth Canal is a popular activity for travelers in the region. Located in the Peloponnese, the canal’s origins date back to ancient Greece. Even back then, people were already trying to link the Aegean Sea to the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea, to avoid making a detour of several hundred kilometers. To this end, the Greeks built the Diolkos, a paved road still visible today.
Ships were pulled through on rails. But it was in the 19th century that the canal was really dug out and took on the shape we know today. With the help of a French company, work began in 1882 and was completed in 1893. Its total length is 6,343 meters. Its most impressive feature is its narrowness, with a width of just 25 metres, 80-metre-high cliffs and an underwater depth of 8 metres.
It’s this spectacular landscape that attracts onlookers and photographers alike, as few boats actually cross it. Big ships can’t get through, but it’s still worth a look.
1. The Corinth Canal by boat
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Oleg Znamenskiy
Visiting the Corinth Canal on a cruise is undoubtedly the best way to admire the breathtaking cliffs that border it. For the more sensitive, it can also be a way to experience a few thrills, especially if you’re aboard a large cruise ship whose sides are just a few centimetres from the walls.
Surprisingly, most tourists opt to visit the canal from land, making the boat a good option for avoiding the crowds on the bridges. And don’t worry, touring boats are safe and comfortable.
Practical information
- For a cruise, head for Isthmia at the southern entrance to the canal. From here, excursions of1h15 are organized, the time it takes to make the round trip by boat;
- Timetables vary from day to day, but several departures are offered for the day in high season;
- Expect to pay around €25 per person per excursion.
2. The Corinth Canal on foot
Photo credit: Shutterstock – f4 Luftbilder
For a breathtaking spectacle, get some height and plan to visit the Corinth Canal on foot. But be warned, depending on the season, you may not be alone. The best-known spots are the bridges and viaducts that span it.
They’re a popular place to take photos, especially if a boat is passing by. But there’s a more original and unusual bridge to cross, and that’s the Isthmia Bridge. Located at the very entrance to the canal, it has the unusual feature of being submersible. It’s quite impressive to see when a boat approaches and the bridge sinks into the water.
What’s more, the great front view of the canal is interesting.
Practical information
- It’s impossible to miss the canal and bridges, which are signposted all over the region, right from Athens. The A75 freeway provides easy access from the capital;
- Buses also run between Athens and Corinth, departing every 30 minutes. Departure is from Terminal A. Once in Corinth, another bus takes you to the canal;
- You can also get there by train from Athens airport to Corinth station.
3. Bungee jumping on the Corinth Canal
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Alika Obraz
If you fancy experiencing the dizzying heights of the canal up close, why not try bungee jumping? The platform is located on the Isthmios bridge. If enthusiasts are to be believed, the Corinth Canal is one of the best spots in the world for bungee jumping.
If you can keep your eyes open, the view from the 80-metre high waterfall is exceptional. You can even ask to touch the water. Enthusiasts beware.
Practical information
- The jump is offered by the Zulubungy company. The jump costs €80 per person and includes a souvenir recording of your achievement;
- To jump, you need to weigh between 45 and 105 kg. Please note that you will be weighed at the start to enable you to adjust the elastic bands;
- Pregnant women, diabetics and people with heart or neurological problems are not allowed to take part. All information is available on the website, and you’ll need to sign a waiver before jumping.
4. Guided tour of the Corinth Canal
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dimitris Panas
This is the ideal opportunity to visit the Corinth Canal and the surrounding area. You’ll have plenty to satisfy your curiosity, with comprehensive commentaries on its history and the technical feat it represents.
From Athens, there are organized day tours that allow you to visit the site of ancient Corinth as well. If possible, choose one that leaves you time to climb the Acrocorinth, the city’s ancient acropolis. The view is spectacular, as are the historical remains.
There are also other tours which, in addition to the canal, include visits to other sites such as Mycenae and Epidavros.
Practical information
- A day trip from Athens takes an average of 8 hours, including transport.
- Expect to pay around €60 per person. Prices easily rise to €100 or more if you want a private group or other ancient sites.