Old (Palea) Epidaurus

This popular settlement, near the Asklepieion and the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, is built amphitheatrically in front of the sea. It has beautiful coasts and there are pine forests along with olive and citrus groves in the surrounding area. On the Nisi peninsula is the Little Theatre of Epidaurus and in the bay of Agios Vlasios you can go snorkelling and see the "Sunken City".

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The settlement of Old (Palea) Epidaurus is built amphitheatrically by the sea and on the ruins of the ancient city. It is located between two peninsulas and the area has beautiful coasts, pine forests, olive and citrus groves. 

The performances at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus were the first impetus for the small seaside settlement to develop into a tourist destination. Thanks to the “Musical July” festival held at the Little Theatre of Epidaurus, on the western side of the Nisi peninsula, its infrastructure has been further modernized. Yachts and sailing boats dock at the piers, the promenade is filled with visitors, the restaurants and café-bars are alive with conversation and the hotels are fully booked a long time in advance.

You could say this is an evolution of the ancient and Roman era, when thousands of visitors arrived here to take the road to the famous Sanctuary of Asclepius in search of healing for body and soul. 

It is believed that the ancient city of Epidaurus was inhabited from the 3rd millennium BC, but it has not been systematically excavated. However, in the archaeological site of the Nisi peninsula, ruins from later periods have been discovered. 

Near Old Epidaurus you can find beautiful beaches: 
Gialasi, with pebbles and sand. It is an organized tourist beach with beach bars and restaurants. To the south is Panagitsa, with crystal-clear waters and pebbles. 

Gliati, with sand and small stones. Ideal beach for those who prefer tranquillity. 

Vagionia, with sand, pebbles and trees that reach the water. Next is Kalamaki, for those who want more isolation. 

Activities. In Palea Epidaurus you can do water sports, cycling, snorkelling. There are interesting trails in the area, such as the one that leads from the ancient city of Epidaurus to the Asκlepieion (Route 3 of the Cultural Routes).

The Sunken City
By boat, kayak or snorkelling, in the bay of Agios Vlasios (south of the settlement) you can see remains of the ancient city of Epidaurus located near the coast. The most impressive building is a Roman villa about 50 m from the coast, 40 m long and 15 m wide. It is what the Romans called a “villa rustica” and had a rural character. These villas were the residences of the owner of the estate, his family and those in his service. It was also a centre for the management of agricultural production. The site was declared an archaeological site in 1998 and diving with an oxygen tank is not permitted. A sign on the shore and another on the pier indicate the location of the sunken city. 

Did you know that

The “Musical July” festival has been organized at the Little Theatre of Epidaurus since 1995, organized and performed by the "Friends of Music" Society.

Performances take place on Friday and Saturday. Information at: +30 210 7234567.

The “Musical July” festival was associated with the “Fruits of the Earth Festival", the Agrotourism festival on the waterfront of the port of Ancient Epidaurus, for the promotion of the products of Argolida and the rest of the Peloponnese.

From Athens via Corinth, Old Epidaurus is 134 km and from Nafplio via Lygourio 36 km. There is also a ferry connection with the port of Piraeus.

Location

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