Designed by the architect Polykleitos, this ancient theater is a highlight of the Peloponnese and therefore a popular day trip destination from Athens. Tours of Epidaurus and Mycenae typically cover the theater, while some more in-depth tours also stop at Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, and Nafplio. If you want to take a deep dive into the ancient world, multi-day tours tend to cover significant sites such as Delphi, Olympia, and Meteora.
The Theatre of Epidaurus is located within the Sanctuary of Asklepios in the Peloponnese. It’s a 30-minute drive from Nafplio and around two hours from Athens. Skip the stress of navigating on a tour that includes transport.
The site is open daily, except major holidays. Time your tour for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, as there’s very little shade inside the theater.
For centuries, Epidaurus Theatre remained covered by trees, until excavations unearthed the ancient monument towards the end of the 19th century. Despite repairs and restorations over the years, particularly to the 34 tiers of seating, the stage itself has been conserved as it was since ancient times.