Epidavros is the most important monument in an area that is crammed with important monuments and a visit here is a real highlight of a Palaia-Epidavros yacht charter.

Rediscovered in the 19th century, the world-famous white-limestone Epidavros amphitheatre was built in the 4th century BC to seat 15,000 spectators. It is still used in the summer months to stage classical dramas by Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus, which are performed on Friday and Saturday nights from June until the end of August.  It is well worth planning ahead to book tickets for one of these performances – even if you don’t understand their modern Greek script. The acoustics at Epidavros are exceptional and it is said that from the top row seats you can hear a piece of paper rustle or a coin drop way below in the orchestra pit.

The theater is just one part of what was one of the most important sanctuaries – a spa, in effect - in the ancient world, dedicated to Asklepios, the god of healing and legendary son of Apollo. It is also known as a site of pilgrimage from the 6th century BC until Roman times, and is now a World Heritage site with restoration and reconstruction efforts underway. Set in a wooded valley thick with the scent of thyme and pine, the Asklepina sanctuary is as large a site as Olympia and Delphi. Visitors are able to see the ruins of hospitals, hotels and amusements built to be enjoyed by the fashionable visitors to the spa in ancient times.

Palaia-Epidavros is the closest beach resort to Epidavros and an ideal place to begin exploring the wonders of the site. The town has some ruins of its own – there’s a small theater which stages musical shows in the summer months and also some open Mycenean tombs.  The town has a beach and a number of tavernas located around the harbor.