If you are traveling to Greece or passing through and want to visit Epidaurus, in this text you can learn everything about one of the most famous ancient theaters in the world, with perfect acoustics and stunning architecture.
The Theatre of Epidaurus (also known as Epidauros), located in the heart of the Peloponnese, is one of the most famous and best-preserved ancient theatres in the world, still in use today.
The Theatre of Epidaurus is part of a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing, whose symbol – a staff with a snake – is still a symbol of medicine today.

The Asklepion in Epidaurus was one of the most important health resorts in ancient Greece, where people came to seek healing. The theatre was built as part of this sanctuary, as art and drama were believed to have a therapeutic effect on people.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, an art lover, or a nature admirer, this historical destination offers an unforgettable experience. In our guide, you will discover everything you need to know about the Epidaurus Theater - from its fascinating past to tips on how to maximize your enjoyment during the visit.

Epidaurus Theater is on the UNESCO World Heritage List

Epidaurus is one of the most important monuments of antiquity and is recognized as an outstanding example of Greek architecture and engineering. Due to its cultural significance, the Epidaurus theater has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This recognition confirms its universal value and ensures its protection and preservation for future generations.

What will you see at this archaeological site?

The Epidaurus Theater is part of an archaeological complex and museum within the site. This space and the remains that bear witness were dedicated to the god of medicine, Asclepius.
The main monuments include:

- Epidaurus Theater - an amphitheater-shaped structure with acoustics that still impress today’s scientists with all the modern equipment. It could accommodate 14\,000 spectators.
- Temple of Asclepius - the main sanctuary dedicated to the god of medicine\, where pilgrims came in search of healing.
- Tholos (Thymele) - a round building with complex underground structures\, whose exact purpose is not entirely clear\, but believed to have had a ritual or medical function.
- Abaton (Enkoimeterion) - a space where patients spent nights hoping for dreams in which Asclepius would give them healing instructions.
- Stadium - an athletic field where competitions were held in honor of the god Asclepius.
- Propylaea - a monumental entrance to the sanctuary\, welcoming visitors and worshippers.
- Katagogeion - a large building with numerous rooms\, likely used as accommodation for pilgrims and patients.
- Great Stoa - a long colonnade where worshippers could wait during rituals and healing.
- Small temples and altars - smaller sacred objects dedicated to various deities associated with healing.

- Archaeological Museum of Asclepius
The Archaeological Museum of Asclepius in Epidaurus is located on the archaeological site itself, near the entrance to the sanctuary. Established in 1902 to house artifacts discovered during the excavations of the sanctuary of the god Asclepius. The museum is housed in a building constructed in the early 20th century, designed by Panagis Kavvadias, the archaeologist responsible for excavations in this area.

The museum displays numerous artifacts dating from the archaic to the Roman period, including parts of temples, sculptures, inscriptions, and medical instruments, providing visitors with insights into the history and significance of this sanctuary.

In the village of Epidaurus, there is also the Little Theater of Epidaurus, located in the old part of the village, near the coast. This theater dates back to the 4th century BC and was part of the ancient city of Epidaurus. Unlike the large theater, it had a smaller capacity, around 2,000 seats, and was used for local performances and gatherings. Today, it is used for cultural events, especially during the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, where musical and dramatic performances take place in an intimate atmosphere.

This complex, with temples and hospital buildings dedicated to healing gods, provides valuable insights into the healing cults of the Greek and Roman periods.

When was the theater in Epidaurus built?

According to the ancient Greek geographer Pausanias, the creator of the theater in Epidaurus was Polyclitus the Younger of Argos, and construction was completed around 330 BC. Argos was one of the city-states of ancient Greece, known for its art, architecture, and military power. The Epidaurus ancient theater was built during a period of great political upheaval, when Sparta lost its dominance over the Peloponnese, while Macedonia, led by Philip II and later Alexander the Great, began its expansion. It is believed that this strengthened the power of Argos and contributed to the construction of this architectural masterpiece.

The Epidaurus Theater was covered by layers of soil and vegetation for centuries, paradoxically protecting it from decay.
Thanks to the Greek archaeologist Panagis Kavadias, excavations began in 1881. His discovery not only provided valuable insights into the construction techniques of the ancient Greeks but also enabled its reuse - today, theatrical performances are held every year in the Epidaurus Theater as part of the famous Epidaurus festival, reviving the spirit of ancient art.

Main components of the theater: stage, cavea (amphitheater), orchestra.

The Epidaurus Theater is a masterpiece of ancient Greek architecture, perfectly designed for dramatic performances. This theater consists of three key components: the stage, cavea (auditorium), and orchestra. Each of these components has a specific function that allowed the theater to be efficient, functional, and visually impressive.

Stage (Skene) - stage and scenic effects

The stage was the heart of the theatrical performances in Epidaurus - where only the main characters of the drama performed their pieces. It also featured a specially designed backdrop that was both decorative and functional. Initially, the stage was a simple platform, but in the Hellenistic period (around the 4th century BC), a *proskenion* was installed, a raised platform that allowed actors to be elevated above the audience, providing better visibility and sound clarity. The precursor of all stages.

The backdrop of the stage was essential as it housed all scenic elements, often adorned with rich details, making the theatrical performances more spectacular. The backdrop in Epidaurus was about 7.60 meters high and became increasingly complex over time, with multi-story constructions that allowed for additional scenic effects.
Today, you can see the ruins of the stage, but you can easily imagine how rich it once was and how it contributed to the drama of the performances.

Orchestra

The orchestra is the central part of the theater, a circular area located in front of the stage. The chorus stood on the orchestra, together with the remaining actors, performing the play.
The orchestra was a circular area with specially designed spaces for singing and dancing, at its center. It was the space where actors and the chorus performed, while on the high stage (above the orchestra) were the actors playing the key roles.

Cavea (Auditorium) - audience seating

The cavea is the most important part of the theater in terms of design and functionality. It is the space where the audience sat, and its stepped (amphitheater) arrangement allowed a perfect view of the stage from every seat.
The cavea was divided into two parts: the lower rows were reserved for elite citizens and high officials, while the upper rows were for ordinary citizens. This layout established a clear division based on social status, but the masterful construction still ensured that every visitor, regardless of status, could hear equally well from any seat in Epidaurus.

The stepped layout of the seats allowed sound to travel in all directions and contributed to the perfect acoustics of the theater, which will be further elaborated in the next chapter. The stone from which the seats were made not only provided comfort but also had a significant function in sound reflection, further enhancing listening from all parts of the theater.

Acoustics of the Epidaurus Theater

One of the greatest wonders of the theater in Epidaurus is its acoustics. It was conceived as a true acoustic marvel of ancient Greece - without electricity, sound systems, or modern technology, but with exceptional knowledge of the laws of sound. Although the theater is outdoors, the sound is perfectly clear and evenly distributed throughout the space, allowing the audience to hear every detail from any location, even from the farthest seats.

Directed sound energy in Epidaurus - sound energy was not dispersed in all directions but carefully directed towards the audience. The theater was designed with such precision that the sound, even without microphones, was clear and present at every point in the auditorium.

How was perfect acoustics achieved?

The Greeks carefully applied the laws of acoustics to achieve perfect sound balance in Epidaurus. Through:

Semi-circular amphitheater arrangement

The curved shape of the theater directed sound waves directly towards the audience, preventing their dispersion. One of the most important things the Greeks did not forget was the shape of the theater itself. The stepped arrangement of seats reduced the loss of sound energy, as sound waves lose strength as they move away from the stage. Thanks to the steep stairs, sound reached visitors in the upper rows without significant loss in intensity and quality.

Stone seats against noise

The limestone from which the seats were made acted as a natural sound filter. It absorbed low frequencies and reduced noise, while higher frequencies - such as the human voice - became clearer. In addition to contributing to the visual beauty of the theater, the stone functioned as a natural acoustic element, making the sound clearer and more defined.

Perfect symmetry and slope

These features allowed for an even distribution of sound, preventing the occurrence of areas where the sound would not be clear or where echoes would be created. In the Epidaurus theater, symmetry (the exact arrangement of seats, walls, and steps) and slope (the slope of stairs and structures) played a crucial role in ensuring that sound was evenly distributed throughout the space. Without these characteristics, there could be “dead spots,” i.e., parts where the sound does not reach the audience clearly, or even echoes that disrupt the clarity of the sound. In short, the symmetrical and properly sloped shape of the theater prevents these “dead spots,” allowing sound to travel evenly throughout the space, without loss or distortion.

Why does the sound sound so clear?

The sound waves coming from the stage reflect off the hard stone walls and steps surrounding the orchestra, amplifying the sound in all parts of the theater. This reflection of sound waves creates an amplification effect because the sound waves from different sources harmonize with each other, making the sound stronger and clearer. Thus, the sound became much louder and clearer than it would be in an ordinary space, and even people sitting in the farthest rows could hear every whisper from the stage.
This engineering genius allowed every part of the performance to be heard clearly even from the farthest seats, which was a significant technological advancement at the time the theater was built.

How can you check?

If you stand anywhere in Epidaurus and someone from the audience or your companions whispers, you can hear that the sound arrives clearly, no matter if you are in the front rows or in the upper galleries. This effect is achieved thanks to the specific shape of the auditorium, a stepped structure that reduces the loss of sound energy.

What did the theater look like in ancient times?

In antiquity, theaters were very important places for social life. Events in theaters were part of a broader cultural and political life, and access to the performance was regulated according to social statuses. Epidaurus was not just a place of entertainment but also of political, religious, and cultural gatherings, and the seats were divided so that those with the highest social status had the best view of the art, sound, and performance.

Therefore, the seating of the theater was not randomly arranged.
Those with higher status and important guests enjoyed the seats closest to the stage to have the clearest sound and spectacle. They sat in the front rows and had closer contact with the actors and music.
For ordinary visitors, the upper rows were reserved. Although they were further from the stage, the sound, thanks to the acoustics and design of the theater, reached them clearly and precisely, as did the rest of the audience.

Athens Epidaurus Festival

If you want to see the top performances held at the ancient theater in Epidaurus, you can check out the 2025 program on the festival’s official website HERE.

Visiting Hours at the Epidaurus Archaeological Complex

Opening hours:
April: from 08:00 to 19:00
From May 1, 2023: from 08:00 to 20:00

Tickets:
Full ticket price: €12
Reduced ticket price: €6
Free:
Children under 5 years old free.
Disabled people (67% disability and above) and one companion.
50% discount
Children and young people from 6 to 25 years old, from countries outside the European Union.
For free admission and discounts, a passport must be presented, and for disabled people, proof of disability.

There are also specific days in the year when admission is free for all visitors, including:

  • March 6 (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
  • April 18 (International Day for Monuments)
  • May 18 (International Museum Day)
  • last weekend in September (European Heritage Days)
  • October 28 (National Holiday) and
  • every first Sunday of the month from November 1 to March 31

You can see the list of all discounts on the official website HERE.

Parking

Once you arrive at the Epidaurus Theatre, parking will not be a problem. There are ample parking spaces available right next to the site. The theatre has a capacity of 13,000 seats and is often used for cultural events, meaning it can be very busy, especially during the summer months. Once you have parked, you will need to walk to the entrance, which takes a few minutes, and the path leads through a narrow asphalt road.

How to get to the Epidaurus Theatre?

The Epidaurus Theatre is located in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese, not far from the city of Nafplion, and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Greece. Whether you are coming from Athens, Lefkada or another part of Greece, getting to Epidaurus is easy and well signposted.

From Athens

If you are coming from Athens, the Epidaurus Theatre is about 150 km away, which means that the journey by car takes approximately 2-2.5 hours. It is recommended to drive along the E65 or along the coast, where you can enjoy the beautiful views. The road leads through places such as Corinth and Nafplion, so you can stop at several other historical sites along the way.

Arriving from Western Greece and Lefkada

If you are staying on Lefkada or in the western part of Greece, the journey to Epidaurus takes about 4-5 hours. You will drive along the coast, and it is recommended to take several breaks to enjoy the view of the Ionian Sea and the surrounding islands.

Arriving from Zakynthos or Peloponnese

If you are coming from Zakynthos, you must first take a ferry to Kyllini in the Peloponnese. From there, you will have a drive of about 3-4 hours to Epidaurus, depending on the route. It is recommended to drive via Patras and Corinth, where you can take a break and visit the famous Corinth Canal.

If you are already vacationing in the Peloponnese, the easiest way to get to Epidaurus is from Nafplion (about a 40-minute drive) or from Kalamata (about a 2.5-hour drive).

Tips for Visiting the Epidaurus Theater

Best time to visit: the Epidaurus theater can be visited year-round, but the best time to visit is during the summer months when performances are held as part of the Epidaurus festival. This is a chance to experience this monumental theater in its full glory.

Enjoy the acoustics: if you visit the theater during the day, be sure to check the acoustics - whisper or move to the farthest seats to ensure that the sound remains clear. This is one of the most fascinating aspects of the theater. You will see many visitors whispering or even clapping to test the acoustics.

Dressing and comfort: since the theater is open-air, it can be very hot during the summer months. Light clothing and sun protection are recommended. Also, bring water and comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking to reach the theater and through the archaeological complex.

Visit the museum: do not forget to visit the Archaeological Museum of Asclepius, which offers additional insights into the historical significance of this place and its role in the medical tradition of ancient Greeks.

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