National park · Greece
EpidaurusΕπίδαυρος
Visit Epidaurus for the ancient theatre (30‑min walk from the gate) and the archaeological site; buy a ticket (≈ 8 EUR) and arrive early (before 10:00) to avoid crowds.Visit Epidaurus for the ancient theatre (30‑min walk from the gate) and the archaeological site; buy a ticket (≈ 8 EUR) and arrive early (before 10:00 AM) to avoid crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1900
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
At a glance
- Country
- Greece
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The protected archaeological zone is roughly 0.5 km² (check).
- Established
- 1900
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Athens
Epidaurus is an ancient sanctuary in Argolis, Greece, renowned for its exceptionally acoustic theatre and the Asclepeion healing complex.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1987Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1900
The protected archaeological zone is roughly 0.5 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Athens.
Why go
- See the best‑preserved ancient Greek theatre with legendary acoustics.
- Explore the Asclepeion complex – temple, stadium, library and healing sanctuary.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, fewer tourists.
- FebCool, still off‑peak.
- MarSpring, pleasant weather.
- AprWarm, dry.
- MayIdeal for walking.
- JunHeat rises, occasional crowds.
- JulHot, peak tourist season.
- AugHot, very busy.
- SepCooling, fewer visitors.
- OctMild, good light for photos.
- NovCool, quiet.
- DecMild, low crowds.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean scrub birdsMar–Oct · Common around the site. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & parking | Ticket office, visitor centre, restrooms. | Open daily, ticket required. |
| Ancient theatre | Large open‑air theatre, seats up to 14 000. | Within the ticketed area. |
| Asclepeion complex | Sanctuary, stadium, library, Katagogion. | Within the ticketed area. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from the archaeological site centre; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site entry (theatre + archaeological area) | EUR 8 (≈ US$10) | person | Ticket sold at the gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for the main site, but optional tours are available.
- Photography
- Allowed; flash prohibited inside the theatre during performances.
- Pets
- Not allowed on site.
Where to stay
Near the park
Lygourio village
Small guesthouses and a few hotels within 5 km (3.1 mi) of the gate.Small guesthouses and a few hotels within 3.1 mi (5 km) of the gate.
Near the park
Nafplio
Larger hotel options, 15 km (9.3 mi) north.Larger hotel options, 9.3 mi (15 km) north.
Safety
Heat in summer medium
Uneven stone steps low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area is wheelchair‑accessible with ramps.
- Theatre steps are steep; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses.
- Do not feed wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Epidaurus?
A single ticket costs about 8 EUR per adult; children under 6 are free.
What are the best hikes in Epidaurus?
The main trail links the theatre, stadium and library; it takes 1–2 hours and is marked on site.
When is the best time to visit Epidaurus?
Spring (Mar–May) and early autumn (Sep–Oct) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Can I reach Epidaurus by public transport from Athens?
Yes, KTEL Argolida runs regular buses from the Athens KTEL terminal; the journey is about 2 hours.
Is the ancient theatre still used for performances?
Yes, especially during the summer Athens‑Epidaurus Festival; tickets are sold separately.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Epidaurus
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