Epidaurus at a glance
Epidaurus brings together the great ancient theatre, the Sanctuary of Asklepios and a museum in the Argolis region of the Peloponnese. For the archaeological ensemble, head inland to the sanctuary near Lygourio. Palaia Epidavros, also called Old Epidaurus, is the coastal settlement with the small theatre. Choosing between those destinations is the first practical step when arranging a visit, a vehicle or a place to stay.
The theatre belongs to a wider sacred landscape. The Temple of Asklepios, Abaton, Tholos and stadium help explain why people came here in antiquity. Museum displays add inscriptions, medical instruments, offerings and architectural fragments to the buildings outside. Some sculptures are plaster casts of originals kept in Athens. Treat the theatre and sanctuary as parts of one visit rather than heading straight back to the vehicle after seeing the seating.
Ways to visit Epidaurus
Choose the local theatre ticket if you are travelling independently. For transport, consider an Athens minibus, a longer guided trip or an outing from Nafplio.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Four-day Greece tour with Epidaurus stop
- Entrance fees to attractions and museums
- 3 nights at 4-star hotels
- Dinner and breakfast at the hotel
Epidaurus is one stop on a four-day itinerary with a licensed guide. The environmental fee is €10 per room per night, paid separately.
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Archaeological outing with Nafplio hotel pickup
- English speaking driver / escort
- All road transfers
- Liability insurance
A driver accompanies the outing; admission is not listed among the inclusions.
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Epidaurus visit with transport from Nafplio
- Transportation to and from Nafplion
- English-speaking driver
- Taxes
Travel with a driver; site tickets are extra and a licensed guide is not included.
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Ancient sites outing from Nafplio
- Return private transportation
- Liability
- Taxes
Choose hotel pickup or the meeting point for this outing. Admission is not listed among the inclusions.
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Theatre entry with virtual reality
- Ancient theatre entry ticket
- Virtual reality application
- Multilingual commentary and audio tour
Choose a fixed date and time; the booking cannot be changed. Reduced admission is not offered.
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Epidaurus outing from Athens by minibus
- Air-conditioned minibus
- Virtual reality device
- Audio guide in 10 languages
A tour leader accompanies the trip. Entry fees are included only if you select the relevant option.
Check availability →Ways to visit Epidaurus
Choose a local audio visit, a day trip from Athens or Nafplio, or a longer circuit with an Epidaurus stop.
Explore the guide
Tours and day trips
Compare departures from Athens and Nafplio, vehicles and guiding.
Tickets and opening hours
Understand admission, audio packages and seasonal visiting hours.
Private tours
Choose a local expert or a private vehicle excursion.
The ancient theatre
Read about the seating, architecture and acoustics.
Sanctuary and museum
Follow the healing sanctuary and its archaeological collection.
History and mythology
Explore the cult, ancient buildings and excavations.
Festival and performances
Separate performance tickets from a daytime archaeological visit.
Old Epidaurus and the coast
Locate the small theatre, coastal settlement and underwater remains.
Getting there
Plan the airport connection, road journey and onward buses.
Where to stay
Compare Lygourio, the coastal settlement and Nafplio as bases.
Weather and seasons
Use historical regional weather and seasonal visiting advice.
Things to do in Epidaurus
Start with the ancient theatre for its circular orchestra, curved seating and architectural proportions. Its acoustics are part of its appeal, but a visit offers more than a sound demonstration: the position of the seating and the relationship between audience space and orchestra are worth looking at quietly. Continue to the sanctuary to place the performance building within its ancient setting.
The Abaton was associated with ritual sleep, through which worshippers hoped to receive divine guidance. These are ancient beliefs, distinct from modern medical claims. Our history guide explains the cult and later phases, while the sanctuary and museum page follows the monuments and collection. A local private guided visit suits travellers who want the buildings interpreted together.
The small theatre and coastal settlement
The small theatre belongs to the ancient town on the Nesi peninsula at Palaia Epidavros. Its setting above the coastal settlement is different from the inland sanctuary. Use the Old Epidaurus guide to bring the small theatre, shore and underwater Roman remains into one geographical picture. Arrange coastal time separately from the main archaeological visit.
A photograph of the small theatre does not establish daytime access. Plan around the access arrangements applying to the site when you travel. Likewise, underwater remains are a protected archaeological setting, so follow local instructions rather than treating ancient masonry as something to stand on or touch. The coastal guide explains these distinctions without turning a general day trip into a promised water activity.
Nafplio as a base
Nafplio is an alternative starting point for an Epidaurus visit. The available formats include return transport with a driver, combinations with Mycenae and longer archaeological outings. A six-hour day trip from Nafplio includes transport and an English-speaking driver, with admission and a licensed guide paid separately. Other combinations include Corinth as well, making the overall day longer than a direct sanctuary visit.
For the town itself, use Nafplio. Compare the main accommodation areas before choosing a base: sleeping by the coast and sleeping near the inland sanctuary solve different travel needs. The arrival guide explains destination names, airport connections and road access.
Good to know before choosing a visit
Independent visitors can start with admission and opening hours. Audio packages add recorded interpretation; a local expert provides a live guided walk; a vehicle excursion adds the journey. These are different services. Entry fees on the Athens minibus combination depend on the option selected. For an extended circuit, the four-day itinerary has an Epidaurus stop, three hotel nights and attraction admissions, with the environmental fee charged separately under the offer.
Wear comfortable sturdy shoes and carry water, a hat and sun protection. Stone paths are uneven and wheelchair access is limited in parts of the ensemble. Allow time for the museum before finishing outdoors. Evening performances require separate event tickets; the 2026 season is past as of November 2026. Read the festival guide for the distinction between the venues and their event rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an independent guide?
Yes. This is an independent guide to Epidaurus, separate from the archaeological authorities and festival organiser. It helps readers compare visits and plan their route.
Are the two theatres at the same site?
The great theatre is at the inland sanctuary near Lygourio. The small theatre belongs to the coastal ancient town at Palaia Epidavros, so each needs the correct destination.
Does archaeological admission include a performance?
Day admission covers the archaeological visit. A festival performance has a separate event ticket tied to the production and seat.