Odeon of Herodes Atticus Accessibility Guide

Overview

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus (also called the Herodeon) is a Roman-era stone theater built in 161 AD on the south slope of the Acropolis. It seats about 5,000 people and is still used as a performance venue. Every summer, the Athens Epidaurus Festival hosts concerts, opera, ballet, and theater here from May through early October.

Outside of performance times, the Odeon is not open for casual visits. You can view it from the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian walkway above or from the Acropolis hilltop looking down. During performances, the Athens Festival provides designated wheelchair seating with advance booking.

Getting There

• Metro: Acropolis station (Line 2) is about 400 meters east along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. The station has an elevator to street level. The walkway is flat and paved.
• Bus: Routes 24, 40, 126, and 230 stop on Makrygianni Street or Syngrou Avenue. From there, walk or roll west along Dionysiou Areopagitou to the Odeon.
• Taxi: Drop-off on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. During performances, wheelchair users can arrange vehicle access to the square directly in front of the Odeon entrance. Contact the Athens Festival in advance to arrange this.

Wheelchair Accessibility

• During performances, eight wheelchair spaces are available in the A1 section of the lower tier. These are among the best seats in the theater, close to the stage with clear sightlines.
• Each wheelchair user is entitled to one companion, who sits in the A2 section directly behind the wheelchair spaces.
• Additional seats in A2 are reserved for visitors with mobility difficulties who do not use a wheelchair. They are also entitled to one companion each.
• A non-slip wooden ramp leads from the stage entrance to the first seating section of the lower tier.
• An adapted toilet with a marble access ramp is located at the main entrance.
• Wheelchair users can request vehicle access to the square in front of the Odeon. Contact the Athens Festival when booking tickets to arrange this.
• You must book wheelchair spaces in advance. Contact the Athens Festival box office at Syntagma or call ahead. Do not assume spaces will be available on the night.
• Outside of performance times, the Odeon is closed and not accessible to any visitors. The stone seating tiers are extremely steep.
• From the Dionysiou Areopagitou walkway above, you can look down into the theater and see the stage and seating. This view is free and accessible from the flat pedestrian street.
• Visitors with a certified disability enter the archaeological zone free, along with one companion. Performance ticket prices vary.

Accessible Toilets

An adapted toilet is available at the Odeon entrance during performances. It has a marble ramp for access. Outside of performance times, no toilets are available at the Odeon. The nearest accessible restrooms are at the Acropolis Museum, about 400 meters east.

Tips for Visitors with Disabilities

• Book wheelchair-accessible seats as early as possible. Popular performances sell out quickly, and the eight wheelchair spaces go fast.
• Contact the Athens Festival by phone or email when purchasing tickets. Let them know you need a wheelchair space and vehicle access to the entrance.
• Performances typically start at 9:00pm in summer. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for the vehicle access process and finding your seat.
• The theater is open-air with no roof. Bring a light jacket for cooler evenings and check the weather forecast, as performances may be affected by rain.
• The stone seating is hard. Bring a cushion if you are transferring from your wheelchair to a seat.
• If you just want to see the Odeon without attending a performance, the best viewpoint is from Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, which is flat and paved. You can also see it from the Acropolis hilltop above.
• The Acropolis Museum is a 5-minute roll east on flat ground and is fully accessible. It makes a good complement to an evening performance.