The ancient theatre at Epidaurus is the best-preserved theatre from antiquity -- 14,000 seats carved into a hillside, with acoustics so precise you can hear a coin drop on stage from the back row. It's also the centrepiece of a vast healing sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine.
In this guide
Epidaurus sits in the northeastern Peloponnese, about 130 km from Athens. The drive takes under 2 hours, making it a comfortable day trip. Many visitors combine it with Mycenae and Nafplio, both nearby, but Epidaurus deserves time on its own -- especially if you catch a summer performance at the theatre.
What to See
The Ancient Theatre
Built around 340-330 BC by the architect Polykleitos the Younger, this is the main reason people visit Epidaurus. The numbers are impressive -- 55 rows of limestone seats, a capacity of 14,000, and a circular orchestra 20 metres across -- but what makes it extraordinary is the acoustics.
Stand at the centre of the orchestra and speak in a normal voice. People in the top row, 60 metres away, can hear you clearly. Strike a match or tear a piece of paper -- the sound carries perfectly. The exact mechanism is still debated by acoustics researchers, but the effect is undeniable.
The theatre was buried and forgotten for centuries, which is why it survived in such remarkable condition. It was rediscovered in the 19th century and has been used for performances since 1938.
The Sanctuary of Asclepius
The theatre was part of a much larger complex -- the Sanctuary of Asclepius, one of the most important healing centres in the ancient world. People came from across the Mediterranean to be cured, undergoing rituals that combined religious ceremony with something resembling early medicine.
Key ruins in the sanctuary:
- Temple of Asclepius -- The main temple, now in ruins. Housed a gold and ivory statue of the healing god.
- The Tholos -- A mysterious circular building whose purpose is still debated. Some believe it housed sacred snakes (the symbol of Asclepius and modern medicine).
- The Enkoimeterion (Abaton) -- A dormitory where patients slept, hoping to receive healing dreams from the god. The ancient version of a hospital ward.
- The Propylaia -- The monumental entrance gate to the sanctuary.
- The Stadium -- Where athletic competitions were held as part of the healing festival.
The Archaeological Museum
A compact museum near the entrance with finds from the sanctuary: surgical instruments, votive offerings from grateful patients, architectural fragments from the Tholos, and inscriptions recording miraculous cures. Worth 30 minutes.
Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours for the full site including the museum.
How to Get There
By Car (1.5-2 hours)
Take the A8/E94 motorway from Athens towards Corinth. After crossing the Corinth Canal, exit and follow the road south towards Epidaurus. The route is signposted. Free parking at the site.
If you're also visiting Nafplio (25 km south), you can easily combine both in a day by car.
By Bus
KTEL buses run from Athens (Kifissos station) to the area, but direct service to the ancient site is limited. Two buses per day run to Palaia Epidavros (Monday-Friday, at 09:30 and 16:30, one on Saturday at 09:30). Alternatively, take a bus to Nafplio (frequent, 2.5 hours) and then a local bus or taxi to Epidaurus.
Not the most convenient option for a day trip. Driving or a tour is easier.
By Guided Tour
The most popular approach. Most Epidaurus tours from Athens also include Mycenae and Nafplio, making for a full Peloponnese day. Tours depart central Athens around 08:00-08:30 and return by 18:00-19:00.
Group tours run 50-90 EUR per person including entrance fees and a guide. Private tours from around 200+ EUR for the vehicle.
Entrance Fees and Opening Hours (2026)
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Full ticket | 20 EUR |
| Reduced | 10 EUR |
| EU citizens under 25 | Free |
| Non-EU citizens under 18 | Free |
Opening hours: - April: 08:00-19:00 - May-October: 08:00-20:00 - November-March: 08:00-17:00
Closed: 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday, 25-26 December.
The Athens-Epidaurus Festival
Every summer (late June through August), the ancient theatre hosts live performances as part of the Athens-Epidaurus Festival -- one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious arts festivals. Ancient Greek drama, performed in the theatre where it was originally staged, under the open sky.
Performances typically start at 21:00. During the festival, special express buses run directly from Athens to the theatre and back.
Tickets sell fast. Book as soon as the programme is announced (usually in spring) through the official festival website.
If you can time your visit to coincide with a performance, do it. Watching a Greek tragedy in a 2,400-year-old theatre, under the stars, with those acoustics, is genuinely unforgettable.
Practical Tips
- Arrive early or late. The site is most crowded between 10:00 and 14:00 when tour buses are there.
- Test the acoustics yourself. Take turns standing in the centre of the orchestra while your companions sit in the upper rows. It's the highlight for most visitors.
- Shade is limited. The theatre has none. The sanctuary area has some trees. Bring sun protection and water.
- Food options are limited and overpriced at the site entrance. Bring snacks and water, or plan to eat in Nafplio (25 km south).
- The site is large but manageable. Unlike some sprawling sites, everything at Epidaurus is within a comfortable walking distance.
- Wheelchair access is limited due to uneven ground and the hillside terrain, but the museum is accessible.
Combining With Other Stops
Epidaurus sits at the centre of the Argolid region, which is packed with history:
- Nafplio (25 km south) -- Elegant seaside town, first capital of Greece. Great for lunch.
- Mycenae (30 km west) -- Bronze Age citadel of Agamemnon. The classic combo.
- Ancient Corinth (65 km northwest) -- Roman ruins and the Acrocorinth fortress. Add it if driving.
- Corinth Canal -- Brief photo stop on the drive from Athens.
The Mycenae-Epidaurus-Nafplio triangle is one of the most rewarding day trips from Athens, covering 3,000 years of history.
Best Time to Visit
Late June through August if you want to catch a festival performance. Book well in advance.
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) for comfortable weather and fewer crowds at the archaeological site.
Winter is quiet and atmospheric. Shorter opening hours but virtually no other visitors.
Epidaurus is 130 km from Athens. The drive takes about 1.5-2 hours. The site is open daily from 08:00.