Necromanteion of Acheron
Mesopotamos, Greece
The ruins of an ancient oracle of the dead on a hill near the Acheron river, with an underground vaulted hall. A small site, quick to visit on the way to Preveza.
The Necromanteion of Acheron, the 'oracle of the dead', lies near Mesopotamos in Epirus, Greece, close to ancient Ephyra on the Acheron. According to ancient tradition, believers came here to consult the souls of the dead, who were thought to have the gift of prophecy. Homer's Odyssey mentions the place as the earliest evidence. The ruins date from the late 4th century BC; in 167 BC the Romans burned the complex down.
The archaeologist Sotirios Dakaris excavated the site in 1958 to 1964 and 1976 to 1977. According to the traditional accounts, visitors ate a ritual meal, purified themselves and sacrificed a sheep before passing through winding underground passages with iron gates to reach the oracle. Whether the site near Mesopotamos really is the ancient oracle of the dead is questioned by scholars; one interpretation sees it as a fortified Hellenistic farmhouse.
- Nearest town
- Mesopotamos, Greece
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 39.2366, 20.5359
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Enjoy LichnosCampsite10 km from Necromanteion of AcheronDogs allowedWi-Fi
- AcrogialiCampsite12 km from Necromanteion of AcheronDogs allowedWi-Fi
- CoraliCampsite12 km from Necromanteion of Acheron
- Valtos CampingCampsite14 km from Necromanteion of AcheronDogs allowedWi-Fi
- ΑστερίαςCampsite18 km from Necromanteion of AcheronDogs allowedWi-Fi
- NissosCampsite18 km from Necromanteion of AcheronTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToilets
All campsites in Greece · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Necromanteion of Acheron?
Necromanteion of Acheron is in Mesopotamos, Greece, at GPS 39.2366, 20.5359. It is about 12 km from Glyki.
Can you camp near Necromanteion of Acheron?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is ΚΑΤΑΣΚΗΝΩΣΕΙΣ ΤΥΠΕΤ, about 5 km away; within 25 km there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Necromanteion of Acheron?
Necromanteion of Acheron is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Epirus coast and Lefkada: Parga, the Acheron and Porto Katsiki.
What is there to see near Necromanteion of Acheron?
Places worth a stop nearby: Acheron Springs (12 km), Parga Castle (13 km), Nikopolis (31 km) and Paxos and Antipaxos (31 km).
When is the best time to visit Necromanteion of Acheron?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)