Visitors can climb up the ruins of the Theatre of Dionysus and sit in the semicircle of marble seats ringed around the stage area. The theater once seated 17,000, and you can still see names of the important people inscribed on the throne-like seats in the front row.
Admission is included in your Acropolis admission ticket. Some choose to buy a combined ancient Athens admission ticket, while a skip-the-line ticket is a time-saver. Visit the theater independently, on a walking tour, or with a private guide as part of a broader tour of the Acropolis area, including the Parthenon and Erechtheion. Some tours also encompass the Acropolis Museum and other ancient Greek sites, including the Ancient Agora.
Theatre of Dionysus appeals to most Athens visitors, especially history buffs and theater lovers.
There are no live performances here, but world-class performers have appeared on the stage of the Roman-era Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
The Acropolis has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, reached by elevator and stair-climber, but uneven terrain presents challenges. There is no dedicated access to the theater, which occupies a steep slope.
The theater sits on the southern slopes of the Acropolis, below the citadel proper, an easy walk from many downtown Athens sights. Parking and driving within historic Athens is challenging. Instead, take the metro to Acropoli (Line 2), or ride buses including the 230 to the Apheteria stop.
The theater is open seven days a week from morning until evening, but closes afternoons in winter (November through March). Expect crowds on days when admission is free. For a quiet visit, try midweek, either early or late in the day.
The art of drama evolved from rituals in honor of the Greek god Dionysus, during which worshippers donned goat masks and danced. The classic works of ancient Greek drama, both tragedy and comedy, were first performed at the Theatre of Dionysus, including plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. The all-male cast wore masks.
