2 Best Performing Arts Venues in The Peloponnese, Greece

In the theater at Epidaurus, this festival offers memorable performances from late June through August, Friday and Saturday only, at 9 pm. Productions in the main theater 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. You can also see opera productions in the small theater. Get to the site early (and bring a picnic lunch or have a drink or a light meal at the decent Xenia Café on-site), because watching the sun set behind the mountains and fields of olives and pines is unforgettable. You can buy tickets at the Festival Box Office in Athens (at Panepistimiou 39), by phone, or online, and a short time before performance at the theater box office. Many tour operators in Athens and Nafplion offer tours that include a performance at Epidaurus. 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. Look for buses that say "Theater" or "Epidaurus," not "Nea Epidaurus" or "Archea Epidaurus." Buses also run to and from Athens on days of performances.

If you're in Patras in late January to February, you're in for a treat: the carnival, which lasts for several weeks before the start of Lent, is celebrated with masquerade balls, fireworks, and the Sunday Grand Parade competition for the best costume. Room rates can double or even triple during this time.