Corinth Apostle Paul's Footsteps Private Half-Day Tour

Corinth Canal, ancient temples, and the places where Paul stood trial and preached

A private half-day tour from Athens to Corinth that traces Apostle Paul's biblical journey through ancient ruins, including the Temple of Apollo, Ancient Agora, and the Bema. Hotel pickup in Athens is included; the driver speaks English and carries deep historical knowledge. A licensed tour guide is available on request for an additional fee.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private tour of Apostle Paul's sites

• Pickup from Athens hotel
• Drive along the Saronic Gulf
• See the Corinth Canal
• Explore ancient Corinth ruins
• Visit the Diolkos trackway
• Experience the Bema and Apostle Paul church
• See remains of Apostle Paul's old port
• Visit Acrocorinth acropolis

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Athens hotel and a drive south along the Saronic Gulf toward Corinth. The route passes the Corinth Canal, an engineering landmark that cuts across the isthmus and separates the Peloponnese from mainland Greece—a shortcut ancient sailors desperately needed to avoid the long, dangerous voyage around the peninsula. Your driver provides historical context throughout the journey, and the vehicle is air-conditioned with bottled water on board.

Once at the archaeological site of ancient Corinth, you walk through the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest Doric temples in Greece, and the Ancient Agora, the heart of the ancient city's public life. The Bema—the stone platform where Paul is said to have stood trial before the Roman proconsul Gallio—anchors the spiritual core of the tour. Nearby stands a church dedicated to Apostle Paul, and you can see the remains of the old port where Paul embarked when he first arrived to teach Christianity to the Corinthians. Acrocorinth, the acropolis perched above the city, offers panoramic views that show why this location held such strategic importance in the ancient world.

The tour runs about six hours total. A free audio guide is available, and WiFi is on board if you want to look up details as you go. If you want a licensed guide to accompany you into the archaeological sites and provide deeper interpretation—rather than relying on your driver's commentary—that can be arranged for an additional cost of 70 euros per hour, subject to availability. Hotel drop-off in Athens concludes the day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Athens.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• free audio guide.
• English-speaking driver with deep historical knowledge.
• access to the Corinth Canal viewpoint, Temple of Apollo, Ancient Agora, the Bema, Acrocorinth, and the church of Apostle Paul (depending on your selected option).

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Athens Day Trip Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the "Apostle Paul Footsteps Corinth" option if you want the full biblical narrative without the canal sailing add-on, or pick "Corinth + Canal sailing" if you prefer to see the engineering marvel from the water instead of from land. The private format means the itinerary can pause where your interests linger, and the driver's historical knowledge fills gaps a standard group tour might skip—particularly useful if you are reading scripture alongside the sites.

Traveler reviews

4.89★★★★★★★★★★

75 verified traveler reviews

5 ★72

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly is the Bema in Corinth, and why does it matter to the Apostle Paul story?

The Bema is the stone platform in ancient Corinth where Apostle Paul stood trial before the Roman proconsul Gallio, as recorded in the New Testament. It is the physical place where Paul's preaching and teachings were formally challenged by the Jewish community, making it a key site for anyone following Paul's biblical footsteps.

Does the tour include entry to the archaeological site of ancient Corinth?

Entry to the archaeological site depends on which option you choose at checkout. The "Corinth + Athens" and "Apostle Paul Footsteps Corinth" options include access; the "Corinth + Canal sailing" option does not include Ancient Corinth entry. Check your selected option to confirm what is covered.

Can I arrange a licensed guide to walk through the ruins with me instead of just the driver?

Yes, a licensed tour guide can accompany you into the archaeological sites on request, subject to availability. This service costs an additional 70 euros per hour and must be arranged when you book or confirmed before the tour begins.

What is the Diolkos, and will I see it on this tour?

The Diolkos was an ancient paved trackway near Corinth that allowed boats to be hauled overland across the Isthmus, avoiding the dangerous voyage around the Peloponnese. You will see the remains of this engineering feat as part of the tour's exploration of Corinth's historical landmarks.

Is hotel pickup included, and does it cover the airport or port?

Hotel pickup in central Athens is included in the tour price. Airport or port pickup is available as an add-on option depending on which package you select at checkout; it is not included in the standard tour.

How much walking is involved, and what is the physical difficulty level?

The tour involves moderate walking through archaeological ruins and around Acrocorinth. It is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the terrain and the Mediterranean heat.