Based on the operational regulations issued, visits to the AUAS (Accessible Underwater Archaeological Sites) take place through guided dives provided by diving centers operating near the AUAS areas, upon agreement with the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities.
To engage in scuba diving activities at the AUAS, the following are required:
- A scuba or free diving license that certifies the ability to dive to a depth of thirty (-30) meters.
- In the case of a license that certifies the ability to dive to eighteen (-18) meters, the dive must not exceed that depth.
For visitors who do not dive, the Knowledge and Awareness Centers (KACs) offer advanced virtual reality (VR) applications, allowing participation in virtual dives at selected Accessible Underwater Archaeological Sites, such as the Peristera site.
For detailed information about the KACs, as well as the terms and conditions for visiting the AUAS, please consult the links below.
Entrance Ticket
According to the Government Gazette 1968/B/29-3-2024, the entrance fee for visiting the Peristera shipwreck is 50 euros per person. For all other Accessible Underwater Archaeological Sites, entrance is free.
The cost of the escort is determined exclusively by the diving provider chosen by the visitor.
Furthermore, according to Government Gazette 1968/B/29-3-2024, specific categories of visitors are defined who are entitled to free entry to the archaeological sites of the Ministry of Culture. To see in detail who is included in the relevant list, follow the link below:
Beneficiaries of free entry to the AUAS
The beneficiaries of free entry to the archaeological sites of the Ministry of Culture according to Government Gazette 1968/B/29-3-2024 are the following:
- Children and young people up to 25 years of age from European Union member states, upon presentation of their ID card or passport to confirm age and country of origin.
- Children up to 18 years of age from countries outside the European Union, upon presentation of their passport to confirm age and country of origin.
- Those over 25 years of age who are studying in secondary education schools (evening schools, Second Chance Schools, EPAL) and in vocational schools (EPAS, OAED) of the member states of the European Union and the European Economic Area, upon presentation of a certificate of attendance, which will indicate its duration.
- Accompanying teachers and trainees during educational visits to schools and institutions of primary, secondary and tertiary education in the member states of the European Union and the European Economic Area.
- Participants in the Social Solidarity Income (SSI) and their dependents, upon presentation of their police ID and certificate of free entry due to participation in the SSI program, for the indicated period of participation in the said program, as well as a valid document certifying their dependents.
- Holders of a domestic unemployment card, upon presentation of their police ID and a valid unemployment certificate or recent renewal thereof.
- Disabled people and one of their companions, the latter if the disabled people in question have a disability of 67% or more, regardless of their country of origin, upon presentation of either their Disability Card or their police ID or their passport and the Disability Certificate EFKA (decision of the Disability Certification Center – KEPA) for residents of the country or a similar certificate from a corresponding competent body abroad.
- Parents of large families in Greece until the youngest child reaches the age of 25 or regardless of age if they have a disability, upon presentation of their police ID and a valid large-child status certificate from the Supreme Confederation of Large Families of Greece (A.S.P.E.), as well as a Disability Certificate EFKA (decision of the Disability Certification Center – KE.P.A.).
- Parents of three-child families in Greece until the third child reaches the age of 25 or regardless of age if they have a disability, upon presentation of their police ID and a valid family status certificate from the Municipality, as well as a Disability Certificate EFKA (decision of the Disability Certification Center – KEPA).
- Parents of single-parent families in Greece until the child reaches the age of 25 (if they have one child) or the youngest child (if they have more) or regardless of age if they have a disability, upon presentation of their police ID and a valid family status certificate from the Municipality, as well as a Disability Certificate EFKA (decision of the Disability Certification Center – KEPA).
- Refugees, upon presentation of an International Protection Applicant’s Form or a Convention Travel Document of 28 July 1951 (passport of a recognized refugee) or an Alien’s Travel Document (passport of a recognized beneficiary of subsidiary protection) or a Residence Permit.
- Those serving their military service, upon presentation of a valid Soldier’s Identity Card, and those performing their alternative service, upon presentation of a relevant, valid, documentary evidence.
- The Greek Olympic Champions, showing their police ID and membership card of the Association of Greek Olympic Champions.
- Official guests of the Greek State at the request of the relevant Ministry (Directorate/Etiquette Office), following approval by the General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage.
- Holders of a membership card of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), upon presentation of their ID card or passport and their valid ICOM/ICOMOS membership card.
- Members of Societies and Associations of Friends of Archaeological Sites and Museums, which belong to the State and are managed by the Ministry of Culture, upon presentation of the relevant, valid membership card.
- Current employees of the Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Resources Management and Development Organization, the Acropolis Museum, the Kanellopoulos Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, upon presentation of their official ID.
- Specialist scientists who are granted a permit for the purpose of photographing, studying, designing or publishing antiquities, upon presentation of the relevant permit.
- Members of the Chamber of Visual Arts of Greece, upon presentation of a valid membership card.
- Local tour guides, upon presentation of their professional ID, and students of the Ministry of Tourism’s Tour Guide Schools, upon presentation of their student ID.
- Journalists, upon presentation of a valid journalistic ID.
- Holders of a Free Entry Ticket, upon presentation of the same.
- Members of the Society of Greek Art Historians, upon presentation of a certified membership card.
Photography and videography
Underwater photography and videography is permitted only for the personal use of visitors and not for commercial purposes, in accordance with the provisions of Law 4858/2021 (Government Gazette A’ 220) and Law 4688 (Government Gazette A’ 101).
