Visiting Epidaurus – a day trip from Athens
Alex - A former corporate business executive, I am a historical fiction writer. For almost ten years, Greece was one of my second homes due to my business responsibilities.
Baby Iris joined our travels since she was able to sit up.
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As the warm September sun bathed the ancient stones in a golden glow, our journey from Epidaurus to Athens became a poignant exploration of history, serenity, and the enduring allure of ancient wonders.
Nestled amidst olive groves and embraced by nature’s tranquility, Epidaurus revealed its secrets with a unique intimacy. Accompanied by the gentle breeze, our visit took on a distinct personal touch as I navigated the ancient amphitheater’s steps with our baby in tow.
The timeless energy of Epidaurus, coupled with the harmonious sounds of nature, created an unforgettable backdrop for moments of reflection, making this historical sanctuary an unexpected haven and the echoes of ancient civilizations.
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Visit Epidaurus from Athens – Your Complete Guide
What is the story of Epidaurus?
In ancient times, the Argolid Peninsula was known for a pair of contrasting city-states: Argos, a military powerhouse and one-time rival of Sparta, and Epidaurus, the primary health complexes of those days.
It is said that the town was founded by one Epidauros, who was either the grandson of Zeus, the King of the Gods, or the son of the god Apollo, depending on which version of events you are inclined to believe. I guess living with divine elders is overrated.
The site must have had a certain divine appeal since another (?) son of Apollo, named Asclepius, is also said to have been born there.
Asclepius became so proficient in the art of healing that he could resurrect the recently deceased.
Following in the footsteps of Asclepius, the people of Epidaurus founded the Sanctuary, the foremost medical facility of its age.
While none of the ancient structures of the Sanctuary of Asclepius are still standing, walking through its time-worn streets and marveling at the remains of the once-marvelous buildings might help you understand why this place was so good at restoring the sick and tired. No wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, Epidaurus is well-known for yet another wonder: its ancient theatre. Despite its venerable age, the entertainment venue is still functional today, with modern actors regularly playing ancient dramas, as if time stood still for almost 2500 years.
Even in its heyday, when the classical world was peppered with exquisite theatres, the one in Epidaurus was among the best in terms of acoustics and aesthetics.
Is Epidaurus worth visiting?
Yes! Even if you are not a history buff, the iconic Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is one of the most Instagrammable places in the world.
Where is Epidaurus?
Epidaurus is located on the Argolid Peninsula, approximately 120 kilometers southwest of Athens.
The site is close to other worthwhile attractions such as Argos, Nafplio, and Mycenae.
Epidaurus makes for an exciting day trip from Athens since you can also fit in a visit to the nearby sites.
How to get to Epidaurus from Athens?
Epidaurus can be reached both by car or bus.
If you choose to go by car, you should plan for a 2-hour journey. Most of the trip will take you west on the A8 highway and then south on the EO10 national road.
Be advised that the highway is not free; you can pay the fee by cash or debit/credit card as you pass through the toll gates. Expect a cost of 15-20 euros in highway tolls for a round-trip journey from Athens to Epidaurus.
Also, I suggest you rent your car in advance to save on the price. Our go-to rental is DiscoverCars. They have a flexible cancellation policy and can help you save up to 70%.
Alternatively, you can book an organized tour from Athens. Apart from not having to worry about driving and parking, you’ll benefit from the services of an English-speaking guide (there are also German and French-speaking guides available, among other foreign languages). Most tours also include Mycenae, Argos, and Nafplio.
Book your bus trip from Athens.
Book a full-day tour from Athens to Epidaurus and Mycenae.
Read also: Driving in Greece – Your Complete Guide
How to get to Epidaurus from Nafplio?
If you are based in Nafplio or have arrived there by boat, you can rent a car in the city.
Epidaurus is a 35-minute drive east of Nafplio. The journey is on a national road (it is toll-free).
The other option is to book a bus tour that includes visits to nearby attractions such as Argos and Mycenae.
Book your Mycenae, Corinth Canal, and Epidavros Day Tour from Nafplio
What to see in Epidaurus?
Three different points of interest exist: the Ancient Theatre, the Museum, and the Sanctuary of Asclepius.
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Perhaps the most famous in contemporary times is the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. You have probably seen it in pictures and documentary TV shows numerous times, and there is a good reason for that: its magnificent architecture and aesthetics are breathtaking.
The Theatre was erected 300 years before the birth of Christ based on the designs of Polykleitos the Younger.
Interestingly, the place was built to heal the patients of the nearby Sanctuary: the ancients believed that enjoying a good show had therapeutic properties. I guess this explains why we feel the need to stay in bed and watch our favorite TV shows when we are sick.
You can walk up the stairs and sit on the marble seats as countless people did in ancient times. If you are lucky, you don’t even have to use your imagination to conjure the voices of ancient actors and the applauses of appreciative audiences—the venue regularly hosts plays by classic authors to this day.
Performances are part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival and are held in July and August.
If you are traveling in Greece with kids, be aware that on performance evenings, children under the age of five are not allowed in the ancient theatre.
Families with children aged 5 to 12 can purchase tickets for their children to attend the performance or have their children participate in a creative workshop at the theatre while the performance is taking place.
During our visit, we had the pleasure of watching a troupe of actors rehearsing for an upcoming play. What struck me most were the acoustics—although we were sitting on one of the top rows, we could clearly hear the actors below as if they were only a few feet away from us.
Epidaurus Museum
You’ll find the small museum a few dozen steps from the Theatre. It displays a collection of statues from the Archaic Greek period up to the late Roman one.
Passing by a long line of statues might sound boring, but we enjoyed pointing out the evolution of fashion and the differences between Greek and Roman dress styles.
As a historical fiction author, I have to constantly remind myself that history is not about dates and numbers but about flesh and blood people. What they ate, how they dressed, how an average day looked like for them…this is what the study of the past is about.
One day, our distant descendants will walk by a row of images of us, wondering how on Earth we could have dressed like that. Just look at your pictures from the ‘80s, and you’ll know what I mean.
The Sanctuary of Asclepius
Lastly, you can visit the remains of the Sanctuary. Although no ancient building is still intact, the place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reasons.
The ruins of the ancient buildings can help us understand the advanced infrastructure of a medical center at the time. In addition to the main Temple, the Sanctuary had better facilities than most modern-day hospitals except for the modern pieces of machinery.
It had patient wards, accommodation buildings for family members and visitors, dining facilities, monumental fountains, and a sacred grove, to mention some of the main structures. It even had a stadium, not to mention the Theatre.
Can you imagine a hospital that has a spa, a movie theatre, and a built-in sports arena? These guys knew how to tend to the sick.
Admission & Opening Hours
The ticket for the Archeological site and Museum of the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus is 12 EUR from April to November and 6 EUR from November to March.
If you are visiting during summer, thus during the peak season, we strongly encourage you to book your ticket in advance.
Opening Hours
From November to March: 8:30 – 15:00
From April to November: 8:00 – 19:00
Closed
1st of January
25th of March
1st of May
Easter Sunday
25th and 26th of December
What to bring to Epidaurus?
Visiting Epidaurus will involve a bit of walking; nothing too serious, but you would be well advised to wear comfy shoes. Also, we recommend wearing light clothing and having a hat on hand to protect against the sun. Carrying a bottle of water wouldn’t hurt either.
Lastly, charge your phones and cameras; the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a great place to take pictures.
When to visit
We visited in September, and it was still hot outside. Thus, we encourage you to plan your visit as much as you can outside of the peak season (June to August).
During summer, temperatures soar, and spending time under the burning sun with no or little shade is not so great.
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