Troy Dinner-Show

Greek mythology gets a theatrical, family-friendly makeover at Alar Dinner-Show Theatre, where you help decide whether the Greeks or Trojans win. The production combines singing, dancing, aerial work, acrobatics, a giant screen, and audience voting through a phone app, so you are not simply sitting back and watching.

I like the interactive format and the strong mix of stage skills, especially the acrobatics and aerial acts. I also like that the evening includes dinner, making it an easy one-stop outing in Crete. The main caution is that Troy is designed for families, not for adults seeking a polished, serious theater performance. Food and service can also be uneven.

Key points to know

• Greek mythology with audience control: Use the custom phone app to vote, play, and influence parts of the story.
• A family-focused production: Troy features singing, dancing, acrobatics, and a playful version of the Greek-Trojan conflict.
• A three-hour evening: Doors open at 7 p.m., dinner begins at 7:30 p.m., and the main show starts at 8:30 p.m.
• Dinner is included: The meal is generally praised, though cold food, slow service, and allergy communication have caused problems.
• Transfers cover many resorts: Optional pickup is available from places including Malia, Hersonissos, Heraklion, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos.
• A good fit for children: Couples can enjoy it, but you should know the tone is family-friendly and playful rather than romantic or adult-oriented.

Greek mythology takes the stage in Heraklion

Troy tells the story of the Greek and Trojan sides through a large theatrical production rather than a traditional historical presentation. You will see mythological characters, musical numbers, comedy, dance, acrobatics, and aerial performances woven into the plot.

The production takes place in a purpose-built theater at Alar Dinner-Show Theatre. The room has about 300 seats, a large screen, and a stage that reaches into the audience. That layout matters because the action feels closer than it would on a standard stage, and some of the interactive moments depend on the cast working directly with the room.

This is not a museum lecture about the Trojan War. You should think of it as a variety show with a Greek mythology theme. The story provides the setting, while the performers supply the spectacle. If you want a clear, detailed account of ancient Greek events, this may feel loose. If you want an entertaining night with children, it makes more sense.

The production’s strongest elements are physical. Acrobats and aerial performers provide the biggest visual moments, while the singing and dancing keep the story moving. Several characters help carry the performance, and Athena is a particular highlight for children.

The evening starts before the main show

The published schedule gives you a useful sense of how the night works:

• Doors open at 7 p.m.
• Dinner begins at 7:30 p.m.
• The main Troy show starts at 8:30 p.m.
• The full experience lasts about three hours.

Do not arrive expecting the main performance to begin as soon as you take your seat. The early part of the evening includes dinner, a pre-show, and introductions to the characters. This gradual start works well for families because you have time to settle in and eat before the larger production begins.

The open-air entrance area may be less comfortable than the theater itself. The doors open at 7 p.m., and there may be limited shade or seating while you wait outside. If you are bringing young children, arriving close to opening time rather than very early may make the wait easier.

The show is intended to run on schedule. The timetable gives you a practical planning tool, especially if you have an evening transfer or a hotel dinner reservation afterward. Since the experience lasts roughly three hours, allow time for the return journey as well.

Interactive choices change the tone

The most unusual feature is the custom phone interaction. You can scan a QR code and use your phone to vote, play, and influence parts of the story. The audience is given choices during games and contests, and the result can affect which side gains an advantage.

This feature helps children feel involved. Instead of watching the Greeks and Trojans fight for the entire evening, they get moments when their decision matters. It also gives parents an easy way to keep children engaged during the longer musical and story sections.

You will need a phone to take full part in this feature. If you skip the QR code or do not use the app, the production becomes more like a conventional stage show. The performers still carry the evening, but you lose one of the details that makes Troy different from a normal dinner theater.

The interactive element also explains why the show can feel less like a single, tightly plotted drama. It has to leave room for audience participation, variety acts, and changes in pace. I would judge it as a playful theatrical event rather than a carefully structured epic.

Acrobatics and aerial work are the main attraction

The cast includes international performers, and the show draws on several performance styles. You can expect singing, dancing, acrobatics, aerial acts, and theatrical presentations of Greek myth.

The acrobatics are often the most memorable part. They provide the sharpest bursts of excitement and give the production a visual lift beyond the dinner and story. The large screen and stage extending toward the audience add to the effect, particularly when the action moves around the room.

The quality is not perfectly even across every part of the program. Some performances carry more weight than others, and the transitions between acts can feel loose. The acrobatic sections may seem only lightly connected to the mythological story. That is part of the show’s variety format, but it can frustrate you if you want every act to advance the plot.

The message at the end gives the evening a little more substance than simple spectacle. Still, I would set your expectations correctly: Troy is built to entertain and involve you, not to recreate ancient Greece with scholarly precision.

Dinner is convenient, but service needs attention

The included meal is a major part of the value. A four-course dinner is described as part of the package, so you are not paying only for a seat and then hunting for food afterward. Several parts of the meal have been praised, including the quality of the regular and vegan dishes.

That convenience is especially useful for families. You can make one booking, eat at the venue, and watch the performance in the same place. Drinks are generally purchased separately, and they have been described as reasonably priced in some accounts.

Food service is also the evening’s biggest weak point. Cold children’s meals, late main courses, and slow delivery have all occurred. One particularly difficult evening involved one family finishing before another main course arrived, with food served lukewarm. That appears to be a service failure rather than the intended experience, but it is worth knowing before you book.

If you have food allergies, tell the provider when booking and repeat the information on arrival. The kitchen may prepare a safe meal, but the front-of-house staff may not know which dishes are suitable. Do not rely only on a note in the reservation. Ask the staff directly before eating.

Vegetarian and vegan diners should have options. The plant-based meal has received praise in some cases, though one account found the vegetable-and-rice dish bland. If food is a central reason for booking, the dinner may not satisfy you as much as a meal at a good Heraklion restaurant.

Troy is for families, not an adult cabaret

The word Troy can suggest a grand historical drama, but this version is clearly aimed at families. Children are likely to respond well to the colorful characters, physical stunts, audience voting, singing, and simple conflict between the Greek and Trojan sides.

Adults can enjoy it too, especially if they like mythology, variety theater, or watching children get involved. But couples looking for a romantic night out should think carefully. The tone is family-friendly, and the show is not the more adult production offered by the same theater.

Alar also presents another performance called Spectacular, described as the more adult option. If you want a sexier or more mature evening, check the performance name before paying. Booking Troy and expecting an adult cabaret could leave you disappointed even if the production itself is well performed.

For a family with children, Troy has a clear advantage over a standard evening of sightseeing. It offers a shared activity that works across age groups, and the children have a story to discuss afterward. For a couple, I would choose it only if both of you enjoy light, interactive entertainment.

Transfers make the booking easier

You can travel independently to Alar Dinner-Show Theatre or choose an option with transfer included. Pickup is available from a long list of resorts and towns, including Malia, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Sissi, Karteros, Heraklion, Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Milatos, and Fodele.

If you select the transfer option, provide your hotel or pickup location. The exact pickup time and place are sent the day before. That timing is useful, but it also means you should not expect the final transport details immediately after booking.

The return journey may involve a short wait after the performance. A direct private transfer has been used in some cases, with a wait of about ten minutes before departure and arrival at the hotel soon afterward. If your ride is shared, the timing may depend on other passengers.

The theater is also near public transportation, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed. The independent option is better if you have your own rental car or want to control your departure time. The transfer option is more practical if you are staying in one of the listed resorts and do not want to arrange a taxi late at night.

Is $42.33 good value?

At about $42.33 per person, the price is reasonable if you treat this as dinner, theater, and an evening outing in one package. The inclusion of admission and dinner gives the cost more weight than a simple show ticket. A transfer option may cost more, depending on the choice you book and the number of people traveling.

I would not call it a bargain for someone interested only in ancient history or a gourmet meal. You are paying for the production, cast, theater setting, interactive technology, and the convenience of staying in one venue for the evening. If the meal is disappointing or service is slow, the value drops quickly.

The experience is strongest when you use all its parts. Arrive for the pre-show, take part in the voting, watch the acrobatics, and treat dinner as part of the entertainment rather than the main culinary event. Families are more likely to feel they received good value because the children get several hours of activity.

Couples should compare the price with other evening options in Crete. If you want a quiet dinner or a serious cultural performance, a restaurant and another activity may suit you better. If you want something unusual and playful, the price is easier to justify.

How to plan your night

Book with the exact performance name in mind. Troy is the family show, while Spectacular is the adult-oriented alternative. That single detail will prevent the most basic mismatch between your expectations and the evening.

Choose your transportation before arrival. With a transfer, give a clear pickup point and watch for the final details sent the day before. Without a transfer, go directly to Alar Dinner-Show Theatre and allow enough time for the 7 p.m. opening.

Bring a charged phone if you want to vote and use the interactive app. Parents should also be ready for a long evening, since dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. and the main show begins an hour later.

If you have allergies, speak to staff when you arrive. Do not assume a reservation note has reached every server. This small step could prevent a stressful meal.

The cancellation policy is flexible if your plans change: you can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the experience may be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book Troy Dinner-Show?

Book it if you want a lively family night with Greek mythology, acrobatics, music, dinner, and audience participation. Children are likely to get the most from the character battles and phone voting, while adults can enjoy the physical performances and the unusual theater setting.

Think twice if you want a refined meal, a tightly written historical drama, or an adult-only evening. Food service can be inconsistent, the plot may feel disjointed, and Troy is intentionally family-friendly.

My practical choice would be the transfer-inclusive option if you are staying in one of the listed resorts, especially if you have children and want a simple evening plan. I would also confirm dietary needs directly and make sure everyone in your group understands that this is Troy, the family production, not the more adult Spectacular show.

FAQ

Where does the Troy Dinner-Show take place?

The experience takes place at Alar Dinner-Show Theatre in the Heraklion area of Crete.

How long does the Troy Dinner-Show last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

What time does the evening begin?

Doors open at 7 p.m., dinner starts at 7:30 p.m., and the main Troy show begins at 8:30 p.m.

Is dinner included in the ticket?

Yes. Dinner is included with the Troy Dinner-Show experience. Drinks may be purchased separately.

Is the show suitable for children?

Yes. Troy is designed as a family-friendly production with Greek mythology, singing, dancing, acrobatics, audience participation, and interactive games.

Can I arrange hotel pickup?

Yes. An optional transfer service is available from locations including Malia, Hersonissos, Heraklion, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, and several nearby resorts. You must select the transfer option and provide your pickup location.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.