Corinth Canal
Corinth, Greece
The world's deepest canal—26 feet (8 meters) at its deepest—slices its way through the narrow isthmus connecting mainland Greece to the Peloponnese peninsula, linking the Ionian and Aegean seas. A feat of engineering millennia in the making, the Corinth Canal is a vertiginous sight—particularly when a larger ship is passing through.
The basics
You'll cross the Corinth Canal when traveling from Athens to Corinth or the Peloponnese, the peninsula that contains Olympia, Nafplio, Mycenae, Mystras, and Epidaurus. Many tours include a photo stop here, often on a pedestrian bridge. There is no admission. You can also experience the canal via boats that run from Isthmia at the southern end and Loutraki to the north for a better sense of its scale. Or, brave it on a bungee jump.
Things to know before you go
The Corinth Canal is a must for photographers, sightseers, adrenaline junkies, and anyone with an interest in engineering.
You can spend anywhere from a 10-minute photo stop to half a day at the Corinth Canal.
Corinth Canal photo stops are usually accessible for wheelchairs and strollers; boat tours are usually not.
How to get there
The Corinth Canal sits about 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of historic Corinth, with bustling Loutraki at the northern end and quieter Isthmia at its southern end. You can catch buses from Athens to the central Isthmus stop, which also serves local buses from Corinth’s KTEL station. Having a car or booking a private tour gives you more flexibility for viewpoints.
When to get there
The canal operates 24/7/365, so you can plan your visit for any day but Tuesday, when maintenance happens from early morning through evening, meaning you won’t see boats passing through. Sunset can make boat cruises incredibly atmospheric as the sun sinks into the Ionian Sea amid dark clouds—and many trips have a party atmosphere.
Bungee jumping the Corinth Canal
Plummeting towards the water between sheer cliffs makes the Corinth Canal bungee one of Greece’s most compelling and photogenic leaps. Travelers should be over 18 to participate, although those who are 15 to 18 may jump with parental permission. The minimum weight is 100 pounds (45 kilograms), and the maximum is 230 pounds (105 kilograms). Book tickets before visiting as schedules vary throughout the year, and slots can fill up fast in summer's high season.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!