Aspendos Theater

Historic Site near Side

Aspendos Theater is one of the top sights to visit from Antalya and one of the most famous ancient theaters in the world. Located near the town of Serik, about 7 kilometres northeast of Antalya's centre, this stunning structure dates back to the 2nd century AD and showcases the grandeur of Greco-Roman design. Known for its exceptional preservation and extraordinary acoustics, it remains one of the must-see places in Antalya, attracting history enthusiasts, photographers, and culture lovers alike.

History and Significance
Things to See and Do
How to Get There
Nearby Attractions

History and Significance

Aspendos, originally known as Aspendus, was an important ancient city founded by the Greeks and later absorbed into the Roman Empire. The theater was built during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, around 155 AD, by the architect Zeno, who designed it to seat approximately 15,000 to 20,000 spectators. Its construction is a testament to Roman engineering mastery, featuring a semi-circular seating arrangement and a two-story stage building that has remarkably survived the test of time.

Legend has it that two architects once competed to build the most impressive structure in Aspendos to win the king's daughter's hand. While one built a stunning aqueduct, the other created this magnificent theater. The latter's design was so ingenious and acoustically perfect that even a whisper on stage can be heard clearly in the highest seats. Today, the theater still hosts performances, making it a living link between the ancient and modern worlds.

Things to See and Do

Visitors can explore the entire theater complex, walking through the arched entrances and climbing the steep rows of seating for panoramic views. The upper galleries provide the best vantage points to appreciate the scale of the stage and the surrounding countryside. The site also includes remnants of other Roman structures such as the agora, basilica, and aqueducts nearby.

Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon, especially during spring or autumn, when temperatures are mild.
How long to spend: Around 1-2 hours to fully explore the theater and its surroundings.
Photography tip: Capture the theater from the top tier for dramatic symmetry or shoot toward the stage to emphasize its grandeur.
Accessibility: The site involves steps and uneven terrain, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Facilities: Restrooms and a small visitor centre are available near the entrance.

How to Get There

Aspendos Theater is located near the town of Belkıs, about 47 kilometres east of central Antalya and 7 kilometres northeast of Serik. The easiest way to reach the site is by car or guided tour. Regular buses and minibuses also run from Antalya to Serik, from where you can take a taxi to the site. If driving, take the D400 highway east toward Alanya and follow the signs for Aspendos.

Nearby Attractions

A visit to Aspendos Theater can be combined with several other day trips from Antalya. Just a short distance away are the ruins of Perge, another ancient city featuring Roman baths and a stadium. The Kurşunlu Waterfall Nature Park, known for its peaceful forest trails, makes a refreshing stop on the way back to Antalya. Visitors can also explore the beaches around Belek or visit the ancient site of Side, famous for its Temple of Apollo overlooking the sea.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.8 (20,591)

Aspendos Theatre in Serik, Antalya is a remarkably well‑preserved ancient Roman theatre still used for open‑air performances and film screenings; visitors praise its outstanding acoustics, surviving marble seating and carved details, and note a small museum room by the stage, while recommending you plan transport in advance since it sits some distance from Antalya.

Paulus Kadir Yuksel

a month ago

"Ancient Aspendos......is located to the east of Antalya and is famous for its best-preserved ancient amphitheater built in the 2nd century AD duringthe reign of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The theater has a capacity of 15,000 people and is still used today for performances and festivals. Its galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to its architect Xeno's success. Next to the stage there is a small room which is used as a small museum where you can see some of the masks and clay tickets from the ancient times. Just above the theater there is the acropolis with a great view of the river from the top, where you can see a basilica, an agora, a nymphaeum and and a bouleuterion (council), all of them in ruins. About one kilometer north of the town there is one of the largest Roman aqueducts in Anatolia which supplied Aspendos with water. The river passing next to the city is called Köprüçay (ancient Euromydon) and was navigable once upon a time. This was also the place where the Persians used to breed their horses between 6th-4th centuries B.C. during their rule in Asia Minor. According to the legend, Aspendos was first founded by Greek colonists who came to Pamphylia region after the Trojan War. There are also possibilities that the city could be founded by the Hittites. Aspendos was one of the cities in this region to mint silver coins under its own name. Together with their neighbors Perge, Aspendos was also left under the Persian rule between 6th and 5th centuries BC, then became a member of the Attic-Delos Maritime confederation after its liberation by the Athenians. But later in the 5th century BC Persians captured the city again and stayed there until the arrival of Alexander the Great in 333 BC. After the death of Alexander, the city was controlled by the Seleucids, and then the Kingdom of Pergamum until 133 B.C. when the Romans took over Pergamon...."

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Johan Saba

2 months ago

"One, if not THE, best preserved ancient roman theatre in the world. Fu y enough, it was thanks to the Ottoman using part as a caravansarail. Theacoustics are incredible. The level of details of the marble carving just let you wonder how magnificent it must have been when just completed and fully made of shiny marble...."

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Nafiz Imtiaz

3 months ago

"Aspendos Theatre is absolutely stu ing! The architecture and preservation of the theatre make it one of the most beautiful historical sites I’vevisited. You can really feel the history when standing inside—it’s amazing to imagine the performances that took place here centuries ago. That said, it is quite far from Antalya city, and getting here isn’t the easiest. Taxis are hard to find, especially for the return trip, so I’d recommend arranging transport in advance or coming with a tour group. Overall, a must-visit if you love history and ancient sites—just plan your transportation well!..."

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The Aspendos Theater appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Antalya!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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