The 7 Best Open-Air Theatres in Europe

With these outdoor venues, it feels like a whole new world of theatre and performance, as instead of the opulent red curtains and multi-level seating, you’re surrounded by rich history and often a more laid-back performance style.

Some of Europe’s top open-air theatres host several millennia of history which you can fully immerse yourself in, while some are more intimate and concert-style venues. From Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to ancient Greek and Roman amphitheatres that are still standing, let’s take a look at some of Europe’s best open-air theatres.

Culture, history, and the art of performance – Europe’s best open-air theatres to visit this summer

7. Vallimagi Theatre, Estonia

This recently completed open-air theatre in Rakvere, Estonia, is a thriving cultural attraction for both locals and visitors to the town. Hosting a wide range of events, from live performances and shows to music concerts, the site is usually busy with event attendees or people simply sitting and admiring the views or enjoying free time. While this site may be less known than some of the other entries on this list, it deserves to be celebrated just as much, and is definitely a must-visit site during a trip to Estonia. With a maximum capacity of more than 4,000, it’s a favourite for large-scale events and shows.

6. Skansen Park, Sweden

Cited as the world’s oldest open-air museum, you can immerse yourself in Swedish culture and history at Skansen Park in Sweden, while you can enjoy markets, animals, live music and other activities here, the main star of the show is the large open-air theatre that hosts a wide range of live performances, musicals and shows. With the museum being open all year round, there’s no excuse not to visit and catch a performance on the Solliden Stage. Compared to the other entries on this list, the Solliden stage is the smallest and most modern, but this doesn’t make it any less impressive or worthwhile. 

5. Minack Theatre – Cornwall, UK

Nestled in the cliffs above Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall, we find the Minack Theatre. The open-air theatre was constructed in the 1930s and has since become an iconic and significant landmark in the county. The theatre hosts regular shows and live music performances from spring to autumn, and offers some of the best landscape views to enjoy while you watch. Minack Theatre may be a hidden gem for many first-time visitors to Cornwall, but to locals and well-versed tourists, it is a cultural symbol of Porthcurno and a significant landmark, so it’s more than worth a visit. 

4. Teatro Antico di Taormina, Italy

This partially ruined ancient Greek theatre in Sicily is a historic and cultural landmark and symbol, and serves as the perfect backdrop for a number of exciting live performances that occur regularly. Thought to have been built in the 3rd Century BC, Teatro Taormina has long since been celebrated, both in Italy and worldwide. The magnificent red-tinged stones that make up this theatre tell a rich story of the past, and of several millennia of performances, live events and music that has carried across to today. When in Sicily, it’s a must-visit site and one that you certainly won’t forget about. 

3. Plovdiv Ancient Theatre, Bulgaria

The architecture of Plovdiv Ancient Roman Theatre is extremely well preserved, as is the local love for theatre and performance that has carried across to now from several millennia ago. What was once a Roman Amphitheatre is now a partially ruined historic and culturally significant site in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, which has been named the European Capital of Culture in various years and has a reputation for being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe.

It’s no surprise that Plovdiv’s star attraction is an open-air theatre that the city can perhaps attribute much of its fame to, thanks to the significance and relevance of the theatre in modern times. Catch an upcoming concert by famous artists, a show or a live performance at the theatre. 

2. Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Greece

One of the largest and most culturally significant ancient amphitheatres, the Odeon of Herodes is known for hosting the Athens Festival alongside the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, where you’ll see a variety of performances, live music shows and other live events.

Athens is known for its ancient ruins and architecture, and this serves as one of the best reminders and symbols of the past that is still being celebrated today. The large capacity of the venue makes it perfect for hosting large-scale events, so is the perfect place to see a concert or live music performance. Alongside the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes is one of the best ancient attractions to see while in Athens. 

1. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre – London, UK

Not only is the Globe the perfect venue for open-air performances and plays, but it was once where Shakespeare himself performed his plays to captivated audiences in the 1500s.

The Globe as we know it today has been reconstructed and rebuilt based on the original theatre design, which burnt down in the 1600s. Nowadays, it is a hotspot for live performances and plays, most commonly stage adaptations of Shakespeare’s most famous works. If you’re heading to London, you should make time to visit the Globe — there’s nothing quite like watching a Shakespeare play in such a historic venue.