Odeon of Herodes Atticus

---

Archaeological tours of Athens typically cover the Odeon and other important ancient sites on and near the Acropolis; exploring with a guide helps you interpret the ruins. Most Acropolis tours include skip-the-line tickets to avoid a long wait to enter. Alternatively, see the theater during an evening performance; the venue hosts summertime open-air concerts and stages classical plays, and hosts the Athens & Epidaurus Festival from June through August.

Things to Know Before You Go

• You can admire the theater from above by heading to the Stoa of Eumenes on the western edge of the Acropolis and looking down.
• There is little shade at the Odeon so be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen.
• High-heeled shoes cannot be worn by audience members due to the steep steps to reach the seats; choose comfortable flat shoes if attending a performance.
• Some areas of the Odeon are accessible to wheelchairs; enquire at the box office for additional information.

How to Get There

The Odeon is located on the southern slope of the Acropolis along the pedestrian-only Dionysiou Areopagitou, which runs between the area’s main archaeological sites; the nearest metro stops are Monastiraki and Acropoli.

When to Get There

If visiting the Odeon by day, arrive in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of midday and peak visiting hours. Opening times for evening concerts vary according to the event, but be sure to arrive with plenty of time to spare as the stairs are very steep and it may take a few minutes to reach your seat.

Athen’s Ancient Blockbusters

In addition to the Odeon, archaeology buffs can take in nearby A-list ancient Greek sites such as the Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Acropolis of Athens, home of the magnificent Parthenon temple; Propylaia; Temple of Athena Nike; and Erechtheion complex, with the statue-lined Porch of the Caryatids. Most archaeological tours cover these headliners, along with the Acropolis Museum.

---