What to do · Corinth
The Corinth Canal from the Pedestrian Bridge
Information
- From
- €0
- Duration
- 30 min
- Season
- All year
- Who it's for
- All ages
- With a dog
- On a lead on the bridge and the pavement
What it is
The Corinth Canal cuts through the isthmus that joins the Peloponnese to the rest of Greece. It is about 6.3 km dug into the rock between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf, only 21 metres wide at the water and with vertical walls of about 80 metres. It opened in 1893, although the idea dates from Antiquity: Nero even began the works with a golden spade. Today mostly pleasure boats pass through.
Where to see it
The classic view is from the Isthmus pedestrian bridge, next to the old Athens to Corinth road, beside the monument to the building of the canal. Next door are the Tourist Information Centre, cafés and souvenir shops. If you are on the motorway, come off at the Isthmus: it is two minutes away. Look over calmly: the drop is more impressive than it seems in photos. If you are lucky, you will see a ship passing along the bottom.
How long
Half an hour is enough for the bridge and a coffee. If you want more, at the ends of the canal there are two submersible bridges that sink to let ships through, and on the west side, the remains of the Diolkos.
Tips
- Stop on the way there If you are going from Athens to the Peloponnese, the canal is on the way: no need to come back.
- Look west in the afternoon With the low sun, the light enters the cut and the layers of rock show up better.
With young childrenAs a familyWith teenagersWith a dog
