Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	VIRTUS OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 31, 2013
Virtus Herzfeld Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	Virtus Herzfeld Fund
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The fund has an investment objective of seeking capital appreciation and current income.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and Expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	The tables below illustrate all fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Virtus Mutual Funds. More information about these and other discounts, as well as eligibility requirements for each share class, is available from your financial advisor and under “Sales Charges” on page 193 of the fund’s prospectus and “Alternative Purchase Arrangements” on page 57 of the fund’s statement of additional information.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	January 31, 2014
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of closed-end funds or securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the period from inception (September 5, 2012) through its fiscal year end (September 30, 2012), the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	3.00%
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block]	rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock	Generally, Class A Shares are not subject to any charges by the Fund when redeemed; however, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on certain redemptions within 18 months on exchanges from a Virtus non-money market fund into a Virtus money market fund and purchases on which a finder’s fee has been paid. The 18-month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Virtus Mutual Funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount	50,000
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	Estimated for current fiscal year.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expense to average net assets appearing in the Financial Highlights tables, which tables reflect only the operating expenses of the fund and do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same and that the expense reimbursement arrangement remains in place only for the period indicated. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Investments, Risks and Performance Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal circumstances, the fund invests in closed-end investment companies that primarily invest in equity and income-producing securities. The investment methodology utilizes a number of factors and consists of both a quantitative and qualitative approach to identify opportunities across the entire universe of closed-end funds. The overall investment philosophy is predicated on recognizing the recurring valuation patterns found in the closed-end fund industry and capitalizing on opportunities in a systematic manner. The strategy seeks to exploit the discount and premium spreads associated with closed-end funds. The fund may also allocate assets to other investment company structures, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), equity securities, including common and preferred stocks, cash, and/or short term cash equivalents. The fund primarily invests in closed-end funds whose principal investments strategies include one or more of the following: Domestic Funds Municipal Bond, Build America Bond, Government Bond, Corporate Bond, High Yield Bond Equity—Sector Specific (such as Utilities, Real Estate, MLPs), Equity—Covered Call, Equity—General, Equity—Growth & Income, Equity—Dividend, Equity—Tax-Advantaged, Equity—Preferreds, Equity—Convertible Bond Loan Participation Mortgage-Backed Multi-Strategy Non-U.S. Funds Foreign Equity—Country Specific, Foreign Equity—Geographic Region, Global Equity—General, Global Equity—Growth & Income, Global Equity—Dividend Global Fixed Income Global Multi-Strategy The closed-end funds that invest in equity securities may or may not use a growth or value strategy and may include funds investing in securities of issuers of any market capitalization. Closed-end funds that invest in non-U.S issuers may include issuers in emerging markets. Closed-end funds that invest in fixed income securities may invest in securities of any credit quality, including below investment grade (so-called “junk bonds”).
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	The fund may not achieve its objective, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. The value of the fund’s investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund’s investments decreases, you will lose money. Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which the fund invests can be worse than expected, and investments may fail to perform as the subadviser expects. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease. In addition, you will also be subject to the risks associated with the principal investment strategies of any underlying investment companies in which the fund invests. The principal risks of investing in the fund are: Fund of Funds Risk. The risk that the underlying funds in which the fund invests will expose the fund to negative performance and additional expenses associated with investment in such funds, and increased volatility. Closed-End Funds Risk. The risk that closed-end funds in which the fund invests will expose the fund to negative performance and additional expenses associated with investment in such funds, and increased volatility. Closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value, which may affect whether the fund will realize gain or loss upon its sale of the closed-end funds’ shares. Closed-end funds may employ leverage, which also subjects the closed-end fund to increased risks such as increased volatility. The principal risks attributable to the underlying investment companies in which the fund invests are: Commodity Risk. The risk that investments in commodities or commodity-linked notes will subject the fund’s portfolio to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, or that commodity-linked instruments will experience returns different from the commodities they attempt to track. Convertible Securities Risk. The fund’s investments in convertible securities subject the fund to the risks associated with both fixed-income securities and common stocks, in addition to the risk that a convertible security may be called for redemption at a time and price unfavorable to the fund. Credit Risk. The risk that the issuer of a security will fail to pay interest or principal in a timely manner, or that negative perceptions of the issuer’s ability to make such payments will cause the price of the security to decline. Derivatives Risk. The risk that the fund will incur a loss greater than the fund’s investment in, or will experience greater share price volatility as a result of investing in, a derivative contract. Derivatives may include, among other things, futures, options, forwards and swap agreements and may be used in order to hedge portfolio risks, create leverage, or to attempt to increase yield. Emerging Market Investing Risk. The risk that prices of emerging markets securities will be more volatile, or will be more greatly affected by negative conditions, than those of their counterparts in more established foreign markets. Equity-Linked Instruments Risk. The risk that, in addition to market risk and other risks of the referenced equity security, the fund may experience a return that is different from that of the referenced equity security. Equity-linked instruments also subject the fund to counterparty risk, including the risk that the issuing entity may not be able to honor its financial commitment, which could result in a loss of all or part of the fund’s investment. Equity Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Securities Risk. The risk that, in addition to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry, the value of the fund’s shares will be negatively affected by factors specific to investing through a pooled vehicle, such as through poor management of a REIT or REIT-like entity, concentration risk, or other risks typically associated with investing in small or medium market capitalization companies. Equity Securities Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting issuers, industries or financial markets in which the fund invests will impact the value of the stocks held by the fund and thus, the value of the fund’s shares over short or extended periods. Investments in smaller companies may be more volatile than investments in larger companies. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) Risk. The risk that the value of an ETF will be more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities the ETF is designed to track, or that the costs to the fund of owning shares of the ETF will exceed those the fund would incur by investing in such securities directly. Foreign Investing Risk. The risk that the prices of foreign securities in the fund’s portfolio will be more volatile than those of domestic securities, or will be negatively affected by economic, political or other developments. Geographic Concentration Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting the geographic location where the fund focuses its investments will cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease, perhaps significantly. Growth Stocks Risk. The risk that the fund’s investments in growth stocks will be more volatile than investments in other types of stocks, or will perform differently from the market as a whole and from other types of stocks. High Yield-High Risk Fixed Income Securities Risk. The risk that the issuers of high yield-high risk securities in the fund’s portfolio will default, that the prices of such securities will be volatile, and that the securities will not be liquid. Income Risk. The risk that income received from the fund will vary widely over the short- and long-term. Industry/Sector Concentration Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting an industry or market sector in which a fund focuses its investments will cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease, perhaps significantly. Infrastructure-Related Investment Risk. The risk that the value of the fund’s shares will decrease as a result of conditions, such as general or local economic conditions and political developments, changes in regulations, environmental problems, casualty losses, and changes in interest rates, negatively affecting the infrastructure companies in which the fund invests. Interest Rate Risk. The risk that when interest rates rise, the values of the fund’s debt securities, especially those with longer maturities, will fall. Limited Number of Investments Risk. The risk that the fund’s portfolio will be more susceptible to factors adversely affecting issuers of securities in the fund’s portfolio than would a fund holding a greater number of securities. Liquidity Risk. The risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and price beneficial to the fund. Loan Participation Risk. The risk that there may not be a readily available market for loan participation interests and, in some cases, the fund may have to dispose of such securities at a substantial discount from face value. Loan participations also involve the credit risk associated with the underlying corporate borrower. Market Volatility Risk. The value of the securities in which the fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Master Limited Partnership (MLP) Risk. The risk that the fund’s investments in MLP units will be negatively impacted by tax law changes, regulatory developments or other factors affecting the MLP’s underlying assets. Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The risk that changes in interest rates will cause both extension and prepayment risks for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities in which the fund invests, or that an impairment of the value of collateral underlying such securities will cause the value of the securities to decrease. Municipal Bond Market Risk. The risk that events negatively impacting a particular municipal security, or the municipal bond market in general, will cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease, perhaps significantly. Non-Diversification Risk. The risk that the fund will be more susceptible to factors negatively impacting the securities in its portfolio to the extent that each such security represents a significant portion of the fund’s assets. Preferred Stock. The risk that a preferred stock will decline in price, fail to pay dividends when expected, or be illiquid. Real Estate Risk. The risk that the value of the fund’s shares will be negatively affected by changes in real estate values or economic conditions, credit risk and interest rate fluctuations, and changes in the value of the underlying real estate and defaults by borrowers. Sector Focused Investing Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting a particular industry or market sector in which the fund focuses its investments will cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease, perhaps significantly. Short Sales Risk. The risk that a fund may experience a loss if the price of a borrowed security increases between the date of a short sale and the date on which the fund replaces the security. Tax-Exempt Securities Risk. The risk that tax-exempt securities may not provide a higher after-tax return than taxable securities. Unrated Fixed Income Securities Risk. The risk that the subadviser will be unable to accurately assess the quality of an unrated fixed income security, so that the fund invests in a security with greater risk than intended, or that the liquidity of unrated fixed income securities in which the fund invests will be hindered, making it difficult for the fund to sell them. U.S. Government Securities Risk. The risk that U.S. Government securities in the fund’s portfolio will be subject to price fluctuations, or that an agency or instrumentality will default on an obligation not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Value Stocks Risk. The risk that the fund will underperform when value investing is out of favor or that the fund’s investments will not appreciate as anticipated.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund’s investments decreases, you will lose money.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Performance Information
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The fund has not had a full calendar year of operations; therefore, performance information is not shown.
Performance One Year or Less [Text]	rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess	The fund has not had a full calendar year of operations; therefore, performance information is not shown.
Virtus Herzfeld Fund | Class A
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	5.75%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	1.00%	[1]
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	1.00%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.61%	[2]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.98%	[3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.84%
Less: Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.26%)	[4]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver or Expense Reimbursement (if Any)	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	2.58%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	821
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	1,381
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	821
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	1,381
Virtus Herzfeld Fund | Class C
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	1.00%	[5]
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	1.00%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.61%	[2]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.98%	[3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.59%
Less: Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.26%)	[4]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver or Expense Reimbursement (if Any)	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	3.33%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	436
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	1,076
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	336
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	1,076
Virtus Herzfeld Fund | Class I
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	1.00%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.61%	[2]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.98%	[3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.59%
Less: Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.26%)	[4]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver or Expense Reimbursement (if Any)	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	2.33%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	236
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	781
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	236
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	781

[1] Generally, Class A Shares are not subject to any charges by the Fund when redeemed; however, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on certain redemptions within 18 months on exchanges from a Virtus non-money market fund into a Virtus money market fund and purchases on which a finder's fee has been paid. The 18-month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made.

[2] Estimated for current fiscal year.

[3] The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expense to average net assets appearing in the Financial Highlights tables, which tables reflect only the operating expenses of the fund and do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

[4] The fund's investment adviser has contractually agreed to limit the fund's total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses) so that such expenses do not exceed 1.60% for Class A Shares, 2.35% for Class C Shares and 1.35% for Class I Shares through January 31, 2014. Following the contractual period, the adviser may discontinue these expense reimbursement arrangements at any time. Under certain conditions, the adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed under these arrangements for a period of three years following the fiscal year in which such reimbursement occurred.

[5] The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.