Visiting Epidaurus with kids: what Epidaurus is, why go, what to see, practical tips for visiting with kids, essential Epidauris facts for children
The archaeological site of Epidaurus is one of the most beautiful and significant in Greece.
It is also a great one to visit with kids of any age!
Dating back to the IV century AD and UNESCO Heritage Site since 1988, ancient Epidaurus is a large open-air space with a stunning Greek theater, temples, beautiful trees and hilly landscapes.
Little kids experience Epidaurus like a park; primary school kids, teens and grown ups can marvel at the fascinating history and mysteries of the place; all ages are guaranteed a wow moment in front of the ruins!
We visited Epidaurus with our children this summer, during our family vacation in the Peloponnese. We spent a morning there while we stayed in Mycenae and loved the place.
We visited without a tour and felt the info panels were sufficient to give us a good understanding of the place.
I am an ancient history graduate, and my children enjoy Greek mythology (even before Percy Jackson came along), so we did already have some background.
In this guide, I include the essential facts about Epidaurus that will help you contextualize your visit. I also share our practical tips for visiting Epidaurus with kids.
At the end of guide, I am also including some guided tours of Epidaurus that you may enjoy, should you want to visit Epidaurus without a car or wanted to learn even more about this beautiful, fascinating and unique historical site.
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Table of Contents
Why visit Epidaurus with kids
- Epidaurus is one of the highest examples of Ancient Greek architecture and an invaluable source of information about Ancient Greek religion.
- Children who love mythology and the storied of ancient Gods will love Epidaurus, a place where you get up close and personal with some of the most mysterious parts of Ancient Greek religion and beieves
- Epidaurus is stunning
- Epidaurus is child-friendly and even little kids will be able to enjoy this open air, outdoor space that fills like a beautiful park.
What is Epidaurus
Epidaurus is now a beautiful and fascinating archaeological site in Peloponnese, Greece.
The ancient site lies in a beautiful valley in the region of Argolides and comprised of several areas and buildings, some in ruin and some still in use nowadays.
Epidaurus is significant and unique under two main accounts:
- Epidaurus has a wonderfully preserved theater, one of the best examples of Ancient Greek theatres in the world, with an acoustic so outstanding, it is still in use today
- Epidaurus was the seat of the most important Sanctuary of Asklepios (Asklepeion), God of Medicine. It is the most ancient organized healing center and the most important sources of information about the healing cults of the ancient world.
With the theater and the healing chambers are now open to visitors and they are a very impressive sight!
A very quick history of Eidaurus and the cult of Asklepion
The site of Epidaurus was well known in Ancient Greece as a sanatorium, a healing center.
Archaeologists and historians have discovered traces of healing practices happening in Epidaurus as far back as the II millennia BC; over the centuries, as religion developed, these practices became associated with the God Apollo Maleatas and, in the VI century AD, with his son, the God of Medicine Asklepion.
Asklepion had his main sanctuary in Epidaurus and people would come from al over Greece to avail of the help of the God in curing their ailments.
The healing process was fascinating.
Those in need would travel to Epidaurus.
Once here, the sick and only them (not anyone who may have traveled with them), would go through a specific path or preparation, that made them ready to be visited by the God.
When the time was right, the sick would go into a room called ‘Abaton’ and fall into a sacred sleep, during which Asklepion would pay them a visit.
Ancient sources tell of these visits: people reported to have seen the God in the form of a young man or in that of a snake (the snake is one of the Asklepion’s symbols).
What to see in Epidaurus with kids
The ancient site of Epidaurus is a small city: part of it has the ancient theater, and part has the healing center and annexed buildings.
The two parts of Epidaurus are contiguous and you can start from either, easily walking from one too the next.
We started from the theater: however you do it, ensure you see both, they are stunning!
The theater of Epidaurus
The theater of Epidaurus dates from 340-330 BC, and it was built by architect Policletus the Young.
As it was typical of Greek architecture, the theater made use of the area’s natural landscape and the audience seats develop along the slopes of the Kynortio hill, in a semicircle shape with a stage at its center.
The theater could host up to 14,000 people.
The theater was well known in ancient times for having a uniquely remarkable acoustic.
Thanks to its specific location and construction, the voice of the actors would travel easily to the audience and it is still nowadays possible to hear the quietest whisper on stage from the very top seats!
The theater’s architecture has all the elements typical of hte Greek theatres and in particular:
- A large cavea (the spectators’ seats), that could host up to 14,000 spectators
- A circular orchestra, aka the stage, where the choir would act
- The Skene, the scene for the actors
The spectators would reach their seats through corridors and steps, which modern tourists and spectators still use today to reach their seats for representations to to enjoy the view over this outstanding theater!
Good to know: visiting the theater of Epidaurus with kids is easy but the steps are steep so cautions is necessary! If visiting Epidaurus with toddlers, pay extra attention and hold hands as the whole construction is in stone and falling here will hurt! Little ones will enjoy running around the orchestra and testing the sound of this special space.
The Abaton
Abaton is the chamber where the God would pay a visit to those in need and ready for his appearance.
In ancient times, the chamber would have only been for those who had prepared to meet the God, not the public, but nowadays it is open and we can walk in!
The room is impressive and it is fascinating to read the accounts of those who had seen the God in the their sacred sleep.
The Abaton was a large room with a portico and several steps of columns that we can still see.
Just beside the Abaton, there used to be another area called Katagogion, where the people who had traveled with the sick would stay during the healing process.
Due to the large number of patients and accompanying visitors, the sanctuary of Asklepion in Epidaurus grew in size to become a small town, along whose streets we can still now stroll, and even acquired a stadium for athletic games.
As well as the theater, the Abaton, the stadium and the city of ancient Epidaurus in general it is also worth a quick stop at the small Epidaurus museum at the site entrance, which is has artifacts from the site.
How to visit Epidaurus with kids
The archaoological site of Epidaurus doesn’t pose special challenges to children. However, it is worth knowing the following.
- Epidaurus is entirely outdoors so you need to plan your visit according to the weather.
The sun especially can be dangerous here: while there are shaded areas in the site, it is paramount to have appropriate clothing and sun protection in summer
- You can visit Epidaurus with a stroller / pram but you need an alla terrain one or a jogging stroller. Small wheels are not suitable for the uneven terrain of the site.
Despite this, I believe having a stroller in Epidaurus is convenient especially in summer, when a carrier may result too hot.
If opting for a carrier in the hot season, I recommmend you invest in a hot weather carrier.
- There are restrooms on site (no changing stations) with standard toilets and sinks
- Food facilities in Epidaurus are limited and the site is in the middle of the country: I recommend you don’t come here with hungry kids, especially if picky in taste.
I recommend you instead have lunch in one of the towns nearby, for instance in family friendly Nafplio.
- Read about the site beforehand. In Epidaurus there are good info panels that help understand what you are seeing. However, they are aimed at adults and may be too hard for children to understand.
I find reading about Apollon and Asclepion beforehand helped my kids engage with the place. We found general mythology books for kids good for this and we also found a children book about Epidaurus specifically in a bookshop in Athens.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found te Epidaurus book available online.
If you prefer to get a private guide to explore this site, we have a good experience (in Athens) with Kids love Greece, who also offer a private tour here.
Parking in Epidaurus
Parking in Epidaurus is easy. A large parking space is immediately outside of the ancient site and parking is free. Part of it is in the shade, but most of it is in the sun: be careful if going when the sun is hot, as
temperature here can be scorching. So if you find a spot under the trees, get it!
How to get child tickets for Epidaurus
You can buy tickets to Epidaurus on the day, from the ticket office at the entrance.
The cost varies depending on your origin (EU / non EU) and child tickets are free.
Need to know: have your passport with you. They will ask to see it to check the origin and age of your children.
Facilities
Epidaurus has restrooms and there are some food trucks selling water and snacks just outside the site entrance.
What to wear to visit Epidaurus with kids
The two things you need to keep in mind to visit Epidaurus are the weather and the terrain.
We visited Epidaurus in the summer and it was very hot. To be safe in the heat, you need light clothes like shorts, a t-shirt, sun hat, sunglasses and sun protection.
The terrain is uneven, so the best shoes for Epidaurus are runners/ sneakers or walking sandals.
We had our Teva sandals and had no issues.
In winter, since the place is exposed, you’ll want layers and non-slip shoes will be even more important.
Epidaurus with a pram or stroller
The best stroller for Epidaurus is an all-terrain one or a jogging one as you will walk along flat yet uneven surfaces.
How to get to Epidaurus by car / organized day trips to Epidaurus
We drove to Epidaurus from Mycenae and found the drive easy and well signalled.
The driver from Mycenae only took about 30 mins. Epidaurus I also easy to reach from Athens and Corinth following the main motorway and then local signage or from nearby pretty Nafplio.
If you prefer to go to Epidaurus with an organized tour, there are several such as:
Full day Mycenae and Epidauris Day trip from Athens by Key Tours
From Athens: Full-Day Guided Trip to Mycenae and Epidaurus by Chat Tours also available on Viator here
I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Epidaurus with kids and it helped you plan your visit! Safe family travels in Greece!
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