Athens & Ancient Corinth Full Day Private Tour

The Full Day Tour of Athens & Ancient Corinth begins with a scenic drive along the coast, starting from the port of Piraeus. As you head west, you’ll pass through the industrial areas of Aspropyrgos and Eleusis, where oil derricks and shipyards line the route, offering views of cruise ships and tankers arriving from distant destinations.

After leaving Eleusis and merging onto the highway, you’ll catch sight of the island of Salamis, the site of the pivotal Naval Battle of Salamis in 480 B.C., where the Athenians decisively defeated the Persian Empire. The drive continues along the picturesque Argo-Saronic Gulf, passing through charming towns and villages en route to the Peloponnesian Peninsula.

The first stop is the Corinth Canal, a stunning engineering feat that separates the Peloponnesus from mainland Greece. You’ll have about 15 minutes to explore the area and take in the impressive views. From here, the tour continues across the Isthmus with a short 15-minute drive to Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth, the Acropolis of Corinth.

Before entering the archaeological site, you’ll enjoy a brief panoramic drive around the area, providing elevated views of key landmarks such as the monolithic Temple of Apollo, the ancient Agora, the Bema (where Apostle Paul preached), the Imperial Temple, and the Fountain of Glauke. You’ll then have 60 minutes to explore the ruins at your own pace.

On the way out of Corinth, the tour includes a stop at the Orthodox Church of the Assumption of Mary. Here, you’ll see inscriptions of the Letters to the Corinthians on an obelisk in four languages, as well as a colorful Byzantine mosaic depicting Apostle Paul’s mission in the city.

The second half of the tour begins with a relaxing 45-minute drive back to Athens, passing the Isthmus Canal once again. Upon arrival in Athens, the highlight of the day is a visit to the iconic Acropolis, where you’ll have 60 minutes to explore this ancient citadel, perched 150 meters above sea level. Inside the Acropolis, you’ll discover the Propylea, the Temple of Wingless Nike, the Erechtheion with its famous Karyatids, and the Parthenon, the magnificent marble temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. As you descend, you’ll pass the ruins of the Amphitheater of Dionysos and the nearly intact Herodion Theatre, which still hosts performances today.

Next, the tour includes a brief stop at the Hellenic Parliament, where you can witness the Changing of the National Guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On Sundays, you’ll experience the full ceremonial parade, which lasts about 40 minutes.

The tour concludes with a drive past other important Athenian landmarks, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, before returning to your Cruise Ship Terminal, Airport, or Hotel in Athens.