Corinth On a Budget
One of the oldest towns in Peloponnese, Corinth is a port city with a population of about 58,000. The area is thought to have been inhabited since at least 6000BC. In the main part of the city, "new" Corinth, there is little left to remind you of the city's rich history. Much of this area has been destroyed by earthquake. Most of the interesting archeological sights are found in "old" Corinth, a short distance away.Corinth is also a major industrial hub. The economy is centered around copper cables, petroleum products, leather, medical equipment, marble, gypsum, ceramic tiles, salt, mineral water and beverages, and meat products. In recent years the city has become more deindustrialized and several factories have shut down.
The climate in Corinth is similar to that of other area's around Greece. It's a warm, Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild winters. There are seasonal winds during the summer months that are refreshing, and temperatures may drop somewhat during the evenings to give residents a break from the heat.
Sights
Most of the city's sites are in the old town area. There are many ruins, temples and historical buildings. Some of the more interesting sights in the old town area include the Temple of Apollo, the Acrocorinth, Ancient Theater, and Roman Odeum. There's a museum that is worth visiting as well.Neighborhoods
The municipality of Corinth includes the town of Archaia Korinthos, which has about 1800 residents, the town of Examilia, which has about 1500 residents and the settlements of Xylokeriza and Corinthia, with 777 and 686 residents respectively.Activities
There are some interesting activities in Corinth that take advantage of the city's historical sights. One popular thing to do is to take a boat ride through the Corinth Canal. The canal connects the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea, cutting through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth. It's a dramatic trip and the walls are impressive. Once you're inside the canal, the walls feel like they are only a few feet away.Another popular activity is to head up Acrokorinthos, which is a mountain that looks out over the ancient town. There's a castle there that is interesting and the surrounding views are breathtaking. You can walk into the castle and there are outer walls with large gates. Inside the castle you'll find chapels, an abandoned mosque and some nice foot paths. The most significant sight is the Temple of Aphrodite.
Food and Dining
There are some good restaurants in Corinth that are reasonably priced. Seafood is available and is usually fresh and good. Greek specialties are recommended as well. Some restaurants offer good views, but they are often a little more expensive. During the off season, the quality of the food at some restaurants may vary as well.Transportation
The best prices for buses and trains in Greece can be found on Omio (formerly GoEuro). They let you search across all train, bus, and plane routes throughout Europe.The city is conveniently located very close to Athens, making it easy to travel between the two cities by either bus, train or car in an efficient manner. Most transportation arrives in the "new" Corinth area, but your final destination is likely to be the ancient part of the city. This area is about five kilometers away. You will want to catch a bus from there to the "old" Corinth area where you will find most of the archeological sights of interest. Ask the locals where to catch the bus as most people will be helpful and informative. The bus stop is just beside a cafe in the middle of town.
When you're ready to head back to Athens, you can find the best bus station near the ocean. Ask around and residents can point the way for you, as it is somewhat hard to find. If you're still in "old" Corinth, first catch the bus back to the newer part of town. If you let the bus driver know you are going back to Athens, he may drop you off directly at the bus station and save you the hassle of finding it yourself. Buses back to Athens are frequent and fast so you shouldn't have a problem catching one.
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