Corinthia Peloponnese Travel Guide: From Ancient Legends to Seaside Holidays

This is the first landmark you encounter when entering the Peloponnese. A grand 19th-century engineering marvel that literally sliced through the isthmus to connect the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

• What to do: Stop on the bridge for a breathtaking photo. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a massive cruise ship passing through the narrow cliffs.
• Boat Cruise: To truly feel the scale, take an excursion boat departing from Isthmia. Only from below, looking up at the 80-meter vertical walls, can you appreciate the sheer grandeur of this project.
• Adventure: The canal hosts one of Greece’s most famous bungee jumping platforms.
• Water Fun Park (Isthmia): Located right by the canal and open during the summer season. It’s one of the few water parks near Athens, featuring slides of all levels, kids’ pools, and lounge areas.
• Insider Tip: Look for the «submersible bridges» at the northern or southern ends of the canal, which lower into the water to let ships pass.

Famous since antiquity for its healing thermal waters, Loutraki is one of Greece’s most established spa destinations. Today, the town combines a long wellness tradition with a lively seaside atmosphere, making it ideal for both relaxation and short escapes from Athens.

• For Leisure: Pristine pebble beaches, a lively seaside promenade lined with tavernas and cafés, and Casino Loutraki — one of the largest casinos in Europe.
• Spa & Wellness: Loutraki is home to renowned thermal spa centres offering mineral-water indoor & outdoor pools, hydrotherapy treatments, and modern wellness facilities, continuing a centuries-old tradition of therapeutic bathing.
• Nearby: Be sure to visit Lake Vouliagmeni — a turquoise sea lagoon with crystal-clear water — and the Monastery of Saint Patapios, perched high in the mountains with panoramic views over both the Corinthian and Saronic gulfs.

Read more about Loutraki here

To truly understand the region, you must experience the three distinct eras of this legendary city.

• Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos). Step back in time to one of Antiquity’s most powerful city-states. This is the archaeological site associated with the period when the Apostle Paul lived and preached in Corinth. Walk among the monumental columns of the Temple of Apollo and explore the ruins of the Roman Agora.
• Acrocorinth. Rising high above the ancient ruins stands one of the most impressive fortified acropolises in Greece. Known as “Upper Corinth,” Acrocorinth features three layers of massive defensive walls and offers breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views over both the Corinthian and Saronic gulfs.
• Modern Corinth. A vibrant coastal city located just a few kilometres from the ancient site. Stroll along the seaside promenade, browse local shops, and visit the Monument to Diogenes, which according to tradition commemorates his famous encounter with Alexander the Great and the legendary phrase: “Stand out of my sunlight.”

Nemea is surrounded by myths and legends. According to tradition, this is where Heracles completed one of his labours by defeating the ferocious Nemean Lion. Yet Nemea is not only about history — it is also one of Greece’s most important wine regions.

• History: Visit the ancient stadium where the Nemean Games were held, as well as the local archaeological museum.

• Nemean wines: The region is home to the unique grape variety Agiorgitiko, used to produce rich red wines with deep colour and expressive fruity aromas. Nemean wines are known for their high quality, smooth texture, and refined character, making them popular both in Greece and abroad.

• Winery visits: Touring the wineries of Nemea offers a unique immersion into Greek winemaking traditions. You can book a tour from Athens to learn about the production process, stroll through picturesque vineyards, explore historic cellars, and enjoy tastings of the region’s finest wines. Such a tour becomes not only a gastronomic pleasure but also a cultural journey into the heart of Greek wine heritage.

Beyond the coast lies a different world of high-altitude beauty, often referred to as the “Corinthian Switzerland.” Mountainous Corinthia offers cooler temperatures, dense forests, and some of the most atmospheric landscapes in the Peloponnese.

• Lake Doxa is a picturesque high-altitude lake surrounded by fir forests and mountain scenery. Despite being an artificial lake, it blends naturally into the surrounding landscape and is ideal for peaceful walks and nature photography.
• Lake Stymphalia is linked to Greek mythology as the place where Hercules defeated the legendary Stymphalian birds. Today, it is a protected wetland and one of the most atmospheric natural sites in the region.
• The Environment Museum of Stymphalia overlooks the lake and presents the relationship between nature, mythology, and human activity in mountainous Corinthia. Its modern architecture and interactive exhibitions make it a meaningful cultural stop.
• Trikala Korinthias is a group of three traditional stone-built villages on the slopes of Mount Ziria. Known for cosy guesthouses and local tavernas, it is the heart of mountain tourism in Corinthia.