What to see in Greece

Gulf of Corinth

All the ships linking Athens to various destinations pass through the Gulf of Corinth, located on the northern coast of the Peloponnese peninsula. It's a busy place and the location of Patras, which ranks as the third largest city in Greece. But what is there to see in the Gulf of Corinth?Is it worthwhile straying from the traditional tourist trail to get to know it? We'll show you three lovely places that will convince you to give it a try.

What to see in the Gulf of Corinth 1: Aigio or Egio

Aigio, also called Egio, is a beautiful small town in Achaea. It is shaped like an amphitheatre, owing to the two rivers that skirt round it. If your intention is to make trips to Nafplio, Mycenae, Olympia or Delphi, Egio is the ideal place to set up your base of operations.

In fact, Homer names the city as belonging to the Achaean League and the territory controlled by Agamemnon.

Have you heard of Corinth raisins? They're widely considered the best in the world and they come from here. In fact, Egio is famous for its raisins and its arms industry. A small city full of contrasts. Above

all, if we consider that the wines of the area have an official designation of origin... A combination that could be dangerous.

What to see in the Gulf of Corinth if you stop in Aigio

You'll love strolling through its streets and taking in the sight of its neoclassical buildings, which lend it a decidedly stately air to match its economic prosperity. Stop at the Plaza Alta Lunya to gaze at its Venetian tower.

The town hall, also in the Neoclassical style, is another of Aigio's sights of interest and is considered one of the most impressive town halls in Greece.

The next stop in this small but wealthy city should be the Monastery of the Holy Archangels and the Hermitage of Saint Leontius. This is a religious complex of great importance, standing in a natural environment of incomparable beauty on the banks of the Selinunte River.

Delphi: the place to see in the Gulf of Corinth

These days, Delphi is a small town devoted to tourism. It is on the south side of Mount Parnassus, home of Apollo and the muses according to Greek mythology, and offers unforgettable views of the sea and the valley. Every last hotel in Delphi has a viewing point for this reason. This is the main reason travellers come to Delphi.

The Oracle of Delphi

In ancient times however, the reason for visiting was more practical. Delphi was the home of Pythia, the most famous priestess of her time. Many pilgrims came to this oracle to seek her counsel. But Pythia was not the only fortune teller. The Oracle of Delphi consisted of elderly women who were believed to have inherited their ability to see the future directly from Apollo.

These priestesses used various drugs to reach the necessary trance state and had a group of male helpers, priests, who interpreted their words.

Delphi was the most important religious centre in Hellenic culture.

What to see in Delphi

The views of the valley and the sea should be reason enough to visit this little village. Its shops contain fascinating treasures, and it is always possible to stop at one of its many bars to take a break and have a glass of Greek wine.

But Delphi has an archaeological complex, the highlight of which is the place where the old town of the same name used to stand. There you can visit the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre, the stadium and the Delphi Archaeological Museum. In the latter is the Charioteer of Delphi, a bronze sculpture of great value related to the Pythian Games.

What is there to see in Corinth city? 

When we talk about what to see in the Gulf of Corinth we cannot forget about Corinth and its canal. Of course, it's also worth spending a few hours exploring the oldest part of the city.

The Corinth Canal

This channel connects the Ionian Sea with the Aegean Sea, allowing a 400 km route to be shortened to just 6 km. 10,000 ships benefit from its construction and sail along it every year.

The Roman Emperor Nero was the first to consider the idea of building a canal in Corinth, but work did not begin until the end of the 19th century. Let's put it down to minor delay on the part of the contractor. Of course, with or without delays, the Corinth Canal was one of the greatest engineering feats in history. Although its 23-metre width is a bit on the narrow side considering the size of the ships that sail across the Mediterranean today.

Ancient Corinth

The city's archaeological site is another great place for sightseeing in the Gulf of Corinth. The temple of Apollo here dates back to 550 B.C.

Acrocorinth

The Acrocorinth is the name given to the Acropolis of Corinth, which remained in use until the Middle Ages without losing its defensive and religious functions. The history of the city can be studied by looking at the way its walls were extended.