The Theatre of Dionysus is not a building with a big wooden stage and curtains, it is an ancient theatre made from stone and it seats as many as 17,000 people. True to tradition, the Greek still hold events a performances there. It is a major Athenian theatre that was built to honour the god of plays called Dionysus. The theatre is actually sculpted into the rock of the southern cliff face of the Acropolis, and may have been the birthplace of the Greek tragedy. It has been restored numerous times since the time when the Romans controlled it. The site is not in poor condition, despite the fact it is hundreds of years old.

Address/Location

The Theatre of Dionysus, Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, 10555 Athens, Greece

Finding The Theatre of Dionysus

Currently, you are able to get to the theatre via the Athens Metro if you are willing to walk from the Akropolis station. There are also numerous busses stop in the local area, and there is a trolley ride you can take if you are there at the right time of the day. Getting there by foot is a little trickier. If you start from Syntagma Square, you have to find and follow Filellinon Street all the way to Vasilissis Amalias Avenue. You will see the walkway of Dionysiou Aeropagitou. If you go up and follow it, walk and look just below the Acropolis Hill on your right, and you will see the theatre.

Visiting Hours

08:30 to 15:00 in the Winter
08:00 to 19:30 in the Summer

Helpful Information

Entrance fees are usually very reasonable, but prices vary if you want to attend events or performances. Getting through the door is free for some people. For example, if you are a Greek student, journalist, or tour guide, then you may get in free. You may also get in free if you are under 18-years old and have a police-issued ID. Modern performances were restarted in on September 22, 2012, when an evening of drama and music was dedicated to the people that have contributed and worked to restore the theatre. At the moment, there are no set performances, only one-off shows that happen occasionally. If you are lucky, you may be one of the few people able to catch a show at this historic and ancient site. If you want to take a good photo, then get just behind the ancient retaining wall that protects the precinct of the Parthenon and you will get a shot of the theatre with the Temple of Zeus in the background.