Athens and Epidaurus Festival

Athens and Epidaurus Festival Review

The Athens and Epidaurus Festival in the theater at Epidauros offers memorable performances from late June through August, Friday and Saturday only, at 9 pm. All productions are of ancient Greek drama in modern Greek, many presented by the national theater troupe. Actors are so expressive (or often wear ancient masks to signal the mood) that you can enjoy the performance even if you don't know a word of Greek. Get to the site early (and bring a picnic lunch or have a drink or a light meal at the excellent Xenia Café on-site), because watching the sun set behind the mountains and fields of olives and pines is unforgettable. The festival sells tickets a short time before performance days at the theater.

Many tour operators in Athens and Nafplion offer tours that include a performance at Epidauros. On the days of performances, four or five buses run between Nafplion and the theater, and there's service back to Nafplion after the play; the cost is €4 round-trip. Look for buses that say "theater" or "epidauros," not "nea epidauros" or "archea epidauros." Buses also run to and from Athens on days of performances for €14 round-trip.

Festival Box Office. You can buy tickets through the Festival Box Office or online. They cost €10-€50. Hadjichristou and Makriyianni St., Athens. 210/928-2900. www.greekfestival.gr. Weekdays 8:30-4.

Theatre of Epidaurus. Tickets are also available at the box office of the Theatre of Epidaurus. 27530/22026. Weekdays 8:30-4 and Sat. 9-2.