Corinth & Acrocorinth: Apostle Paul’s Route Private Tour

Summary

Walk where Paul spoke in ancient Corinth and climb Acrocorinth’s fortress walls

You’ll walk in Apostle Paul’s footsteps through ancient Corinth—stand at his Bema, gaze down into the blue cut of the Corinth Canal, wander ruins touched by centuries of belief shifts, and climb Acrocorinth’s windy fortress walls. With a local driver handling logistics and sharing stories along the way, you get both comfort and a real sense of place.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I expected ruins and maybe some old stones, but not the weird rush of standing at the edge of the Corinth Canal first thing—like someone just sliced Greece open with a knife. Our driver, Nikos, handed me a bottle of water and pointed out how blue the water looked against those pale cliffs. He joked about ancient sailors being lazier than us because they used to drag ships across land instead of going around. I laughed but honestly, I was picturing it all—the noise, the ropes scraping stone. The day trip from Athens to Corinth already felt different than I thought it would.

We stopped at Kechrees port next (I didn’t even know that name before), where Paul landed ages ago. There’s not much left—just stones and wildflowers—but our guide talked about Phoebe carrying Paul’s letter from here. It’s funny how a quiet spot can feel heavy with stories if you let it. The sun was already sharp on my neck so I tried to listen and not just squint at the sea.

Walking into ancient Corinth itself was like stepping into a half-finished memory—columns everywhere, bits of mosaic poking through grass. The Bema is just this raised platform but Nikos paused there, letting us imagine Paul talking over the crowd noise of the old agora. I caught myself staring up at what’s left of the Temple of Apollo—those columns are thick and stubborn-looking, nothing like churches back home. Someone nearby was eating something sweet and cinnamon-y; it mixed with dust in the air.

I didn’t expect to enjoy the museum as much as I did (usually I’m more “outside” than “inside”), but seeing little carved faces from centuries ago made everything feel closer. We ended up climbing Acrocorinth after lunch—windy up there, lots of uneven steps—and I kept stopping for breath or maybe just an excuse to look out over everything. There were wild thyme bushes underfoot, and my shoes smelled like them for hours afterward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Apostle Paul's Ancient Corinth

• Visit Isthmus of Corinth
• Walk along ancient Diolkos trackway
• See Kechrees eastern port
• Explore Ancient Corinth ruins and Bema
• Visit Temple of Apollo and Agora
• Tour Museum of Ancient Corinth
• Climb Acrocorinth fortress and Temple of Aphrodite
• End at Church of Saint Paul

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Athens to Ancient Corinth?

It takes about 1 hour each way by car from Athens to Ancient Corinth.

Is hotel pickup included in this private tour?

Yes, hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Will we visit both Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth?

Yes, both sites are included on this private day trip from Athens or nearby areas.

Are entry fees or lunch included?

No mention is made of entry fees or lunch being included; bottled water is provided.

Is this tour suitable for children or people who don’t walk much?

The tour suits all fitness levels; child seats are available upon request. Some walking is involved.

What will we see at Kechrees port?

You’ll see remains of the ancient port where Apostle Paul arrived; mostly ruins but historically significant.

Who leads the tour? Is it guided?

You’ll have an English-speaking professional driver with deep historical knowledge; not a licensed guide inside sites.

How should I dress for this day trip?

Wear comfortable shoes for walking; bring a hat and sunscreen as Greek weather can be hot and sunny.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off in a sedan vehicle for small groups (up to four), bottled water throughout the trip, WiFi on board if you need it (though honestly I barely checked my phone), air conditioning for those hot Greek afternoons, plus an English-speaking driver who knows all sorts of historical details—not just facts you’d find online but little stories too.