Dodoni, Ioannina: What to See and Do
Discover Dodoni in Ioannina, home to the oldest oracle in Greece, the Ancient Theatre, the trails of Mount Tomaros, and plenty of ideas for exploring Epirus. A practical guide from Dodona Villas.
Dodoni, Ioannina at a Glance
- Where Are Dodona Villas Located?
- Dodoni is located in Epirus, approximately 22 km south of Ioannina. The village of Manteio is built on the hillside, directly above the Archaeological Site of Dodoni.
- The Oracle of Zeus at Dodoni
- The Oracle of Zeus at Dodoni is considered the oldest oracle in Greece and one of the most important archaeological sites in Epirus. It dates back to ancient times.
- The Ancient Theatre of Dodoni
- The Ancient Theatre of Dodoni was built in the early 3rd century BC during the reign of King Pyrrhus of Epirus and could accommodate around 18,000 spectators.
- Mount Tomaros & Hiking Trails around Dodoni
- Mount Tomaros, also known as Olytsika, rises to 1,976 metres above the Dodoni valley. Hiking trails begin just a few minutes on foot from Dodona Villas, offering an ideal way to explore the natural landscape of the area.
- Ioannina near Dodoni
- Ioannina is approximately a 12-minute drive from Dodona Villas. Visit Lake Pamvotida, Ioannina Castle, the city’s museums and the island for an easy day trip or an afternoon excursion.
The Oracle of Zeus
Dodona is the oldest oracle of the Greek world, older than Delphi. Zeus was believed to answer here through the rustling leaves of a sacred oak, and worship on the site goes back to the second millennium BC.
Homer knew it well. In the Iliad, Achilles prays to "Zeus of Dodona" and describes his priests, the Selloi, who slept on the bare ground and never washed their feet. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is said to have gone to Dodona to hear the will of Zeus from the high-leafed oak. Herodotus tells the founding story: a black dove flew from Egyptian Thebes, settled on an oak and spoke with a human voice, commanding that an oracle of Zeus be founded there.
What makes Dodona unusually human are the lead tablets. Ordinary people scratched their questions onto thin strips of lead, and thousands survive: should I marry, is the child mine, will the journey go well, should I take up sheep farming. Many are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina, which is worth seeing on the same trip.
The Ancient Theatre
The theatre of Dodona was built in the early 3rd century BC under King Pyrrhus of Epirus and seated about 18,000 people, which makes it one of the largest theatres of ancient Greece.
The sanctuary was sacked by the Aetolians in 219 BC and by the Romans in 167 BC. In Roman times the theatre was turned into an arena, and the retaining walls for that conversion can still be seen. Around it lie the remains of the bouleuterion (council house), the prytaneion, the stadium and the Sacred House of Zeus, where the oak once stood.
Today the theatre is restored and hosts performances again, with the slopes of Tomaros as its backdrop.
Visiting the site
- Check current opening hours and tickets with the Ministry of Culture before you go; they change with the season.
- Allow one and a half to two hours to walk the theatre and the sanctuary.
- There is little shade. In summer go early in the morning or in the late afternoon, and bring water and a hat.
- Wear proper shoes: the stone is uneven and the theatre steps are steep.
- From the villas the site is a few minutes by car, just down the slope.
Trails and Mt. Tomaros
Mt. Tomaros (Olytsika) rises to 1,976 m directly above the valley of Dodoni, and hiking trails start three minutes on foot from Dodona Villas.
The paths climb through oak forest, past springs and small waterfalls, with the whole valley and the theatre opening up below. In winter the summit is often white with snow, and the lower trails stay walkable most of the year.
Before you set out
- Ask us for the trail that suits your day; we walk them ourselves.
- Carry water and a layer: the mountain is cooler and the weather turns faster than in the valley.
- Long trousers help on the less-used paths.
Ioannina, 20 minutes away
Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, is 20 minutes by car from the villas and makes an easy half day or evening out.
Walk the lakeside of Pamvotis and take the small boat to the island, with its monasteries and quiet lanes. Inside the walls of the castle (Its Kale) are the Fethiye Mosque, the Byzantine Museum and the Silversmithing Museum. The Archaeological Museum holds the finds from Dodona, including the oracle tablets. On the edge of the city, Perama Cave is one of the largest show caves in Greece.
Day trips
Zagori and the Vikos Gorge are the classic day trip from Ioannina: forty-six stone villages, old arched stone bridges and one of the deepest gorges in the world. From the villas it is roughly an hour and a quarter by car.
Closer to home, Perama Cave is about twenty-five minutes away, and the lakeside villages around Pamvotis are good for a slow lunch.
When to come
Every season works in Dodoni, for different reasons.
- Spring: the valley at its greenest, wildflowers on the slopes, the best walking weather.
- Summer: hot days in the valley, cool evenings on the mountain, performances at the theatre when programmed, and White Stone Villa's private pool.
- Autumn: the oak forest turns, the light is soft and the site is quiet.
- Winter: snow on Tomaros, the fire lit in both villas, and Ioannina's lakeside at its most atmospheric.
Eating well
Epirus is known for its pies (pites), its lamb and goat, and its cheeses; Ioannina for its syrup sweets such as baklava and kataifi, and for the tavernas on the lake.
In Mantio itself, the "18 Grada" restaurant is three minutes on foot from the villas and serves meat from its own farm.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dodoni, Ioannina
How far is Dodona from Ioannina?
The archaeological site of Dodona is about 22 km south of Ioannina. From Dodona Villas, in the village of Mantio just above the site, Ioannina is about 20 minutes by car via the Egnatia highway.
How old is the oracle of Dodona?
Dodona is considered the oldest oracle in Greece, older than Delphi. Worship of Zeus there goes back to the second millennium BC, and Homer already mentions it in the Iliad and the Odyssey.
When was the Ancient Theatre of Dodona built and how many people did it hold?
The theatre was built in the early 3rd century BC under King Pyrrhus of Epirus and held about 18,000 spectators, one of the largest theatres of ancient Greece. It has been restored and hosts performances again.
How long does a visit to the archaeological site of Dodona take?
Allow one and a half to two hours for the theatre and the sanctuary. There is little shade, so in summer go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Check current opening hours with the Ministry of Culture before you go.
Where can I see the lead oracle tablets of Dodona?
Many of the lead tablets on which visitors wrote their questions to the oracle are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina.
Is there hiking near Dodona?
Yes. Trails on Mt. Tomaros (Olytsika, 1,976 m) start three minutes on foot from Dodona Villas and pass through oak forest, springs and waterfalls, with the whole valley below.
Where can I stay near the Ancient Theatre of Dodona?
Dodona Villas are two stone villas in Mantio, on the slope just above the archaeological site: White Stone Villa with a private pool and Villa 18 with mountain and valley views. Each sleeps 3. Booking is direct by phone, with no platform fees.
From the valley
Discover the trails of Mount Tomaros above Dodoni: oak forests, springs, small waterfalls, and views over the valley. An ideal choice for spring hiking.
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A winter escape in Dodoni, with stone villas, fireplaces, valley views, and Ioannina just a short drive away. Discover what makes winter at Dodona Villas so special.
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Everything you need to know before visiting the Ancient Theatre of Dodona: what to see, how much time to allow, when to go, and where to stay near the archaeological site.
ReadTwo Stone Villas near the Ancient Theatre of Dodoni
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from the mountain
Stay in Dodoni, just a few minutes from the Ancient Theatre and the Oracle of Zeus. Dodona Villas offer a peaceful stay with views over the valley and direct booking, with no third-party platforms or commissions.
Call +30 694 641 6657