Aspendos theatre & ancient city

Asbendos ampitheatre, Antalya Turkey a guide — Aspendos – the world’s best preserved ancient amphitheatre

The ancient city of Aspendos is located around 50km (30 miles) from Antalya, accessible by bus, tours or taxi. If you’re on holiday in the area, it’s well worth visiting this site – home to the best-preserved amphitheatre in the world. Read on for a short guide to the Aspendos theatre & ancient city

To arrange a guided tour of both Aspendos and Perge, click this link.

Read on below the booking information for more, including some 360VR images.

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Getting to Aspendos from Antalya

The Taurus mountains from the motorway on the way to Aspendos — The impressive Taurus mountain range on the way to the theatre at Aspendos

Unlike most trips I’ve made in this area, this time it was way too far to walk and, given Coronavirus, I figured taking a taxi would be much easier than messing around with buses. For once, I splurged on a little luxury – not particularly like me but I got a very good deal.

The plan had originally been to just visit Perge but, on talking to a driver, I learned Aspendos is just a short way further in the same direction. Word to the wise – taxis in Antalya should work to a base cost of around 4TL and then cost around 3TL per kilometre. Using this equation, it’s quite easy to work out a deal with drivers.

At time of writing (Oct 2020), to take a taxi to Aspendos stopping past Perge on the way back cost just 350TL (just short of £35 or €37). And considering I could get this including the driver waiting around for me at each site, it seemed a no-brainer. Of course, these costs would drop significantly if a few of you were travelling. My driver was Sertac – you can get him on +90 0533 276 78 88 (that number also works on WhatsApp).

The theatre at Aspendos

The ancient theatre at Aspendos is famed as being the best-preserved example of a Roman/Greek amphitheatre in the world. It is still frequently used today for music and dance performances.

Aspendos amphitheatre near Antalya - a guide — The view from behind the stage, looking out into the amphitheatre

The amphitheatre at Aspendos can hold around 15,000 people – not bad for a site built in 2nd century AD. Aspendos was built under the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. If legend is to be believed, the city at Aspendos was originally founded by Greeks who came to the area following the great war at Troy.

The theatre at Aspendos – a brief guide

A guide to Aspendos - things to do in Antalya — Intricate detail can still be seen on the back wall of the theatre

The theatre at Aspendos is one of the largest ever built by the Roman Empire in Asia Minor. Located in the lower area of the town, it is the first thing you’ll see as you arrive at the site. For a modest entrance of fee of just 50TL (at time of writing, around €5), you get unlimited access to the full site.

Stage at Aspendos — The stage at Aspendos was once covered by an awning

As is common in this part of Turkey, most of the valuable relics from this site were moved and are now housed in the Antalya Museum (definitely worth a visit). Nonetheless, the back wall will still make you marvel in its intricacy and attention to detail.

360VR travel guide to Aspendos, Antalya, Turkey — The hugely impressive facade of the back wall as viewed from the seating area

The theatre is split into two vertically by a broad central passageway — The central passage which splits the upper from the lower section

The semicircular auditorium is split into two vertical sections by a broad central passageway halfway up.

Amphitheatre Aspendos — The view from the upper tear of Aspendos amphitheatre

There are 19 tiers and 10 staircases in the lower section of the amphitheatre.

upper tier of the theatre at aspendos antalya — The upper and lower tiers of the Aspendos theatre

The upper tier of the amphitheatre has 19 tiers and 21 staircases as the seating gradually steepens.

Aspendos near Antalya — Image clearly showing the restorative work that’s been performed on the theatre seating

There has clearly been considerable restorative work to bring the seating back to order. Note, the climb gets considerably steeper on the second tier -plus the less sure-of-foot should be careful ascending the open, side-facing staircases.

covered walkway top of aspendos — The covered walkway at the top of the theatre

The city of Aspendos

city gate aspenderos — Aspendos city gate showing water channels under the paving

While most tours simply take in the amphitheatre, Aspendos was once an important trading post and there are city ruins worth seeing, located just above the main theatre. If you have time, take a right as you look at entrance gate and head a short way up the hill. You will soon be rewarded with the city gate and pathway leading to the settlement.

Ruins of the Aspendos acropolis — The Acropolis at Aspendos

Just beyond the lower town of Aspendos up a 40m hill lies the previous settlement and city acropolis. Within the city walls you will also find the ruins of a temple, the agora and a nymphaeum. Well worth the short walk up. There is also a stadium nearby if you have time.

The Aspendos aqueduct

The hugely impressive Aspendos aquaduct – note the pillars stretching far into the distance

Perhaps more impressive than even the amphitheatre is the huge Aspendos aqueduct which links far across the valley in the distance.

Aspendos aquaduct used to supply water to the city. Aspendos city and theatre — Aspendos aquaduct

In days gone by, this massive aqueduct structure would have afforded the citizens an invaluable supply of fresh water from the source, far across the valley. A work of engineering genius.

Click here for more summer guides.

Aspendos essentials

Cost of travel – It is possible to take a bus from central Antalya but, really, you’d be far better taking a tour or booking a taxi
Cost of site visit – 50TL
Opening hours – 08.00-17.00 winter / 08.00-19.00 summer
Time to view site – To see the full site without rushing, allow two hours
More details – https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?SectionId=ASP01&DistId=ASP

360 images

A Brief History of Aspendos

Aspendos, located near the modern-day city of Antalya, was once a thriving Greco-Roman city dating back to the 5th century BC. It flourished under various rulers, including the Persians, Greeks, and Romans, and was renowned for its wealth, culture, and architecture. Today, Aspendos is best known for its remarkably well-preserved theatre, one of the finest examples of Roman theatre architecture in the world.

Discovering Aspendos: Must-See Attractions

There’s a lot to see in Aspendos if you have the time. Below are just some of the ancient attractions:

Aspendos Theatre: Marvel at the awe-inspiring Aspendos Theatre, a masterpiece of ancient Roman engineering and architecture. Built in the 2nd century AD, the theatre is renowned for its exceptional acoustics and magnificent facade. Visitors can attend performances of classical music and dance during the annual Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, held each summer. Ticket prices for performances vary depending on the event and seating.
Agora: Explore the ruins of the ancient agora, or marketplace, where merchants and traders once gathered to buy and sell goods. Admire the remains of colonnades, temples, and public buildings that once stood in this bustling commercial hub. Entrance to the agora is included with the general admission ticket to Aspendos.
Basilica: Visit the Basilica of Aspendos, a grand Roman building that served as a civic and religious centre. Marvel at its imposing columns, intricate carvings, and expansive interior space, which once housed administrative offices and courtrooms. Admission to the basilica is included with the general admission ticket to Aspendos.
Aqueduct: Follow the path of the ancient aqueduct that supplied water to the city of Aspendos. Wander along its well-preserved arches and channels, which stretch for kilometers across the countryside. Marvel at the engineering ingenuity of the Romans as you explore this remarkable feat of infrastructure. Access to the aqueduct is free, allowing visitors to hike or cycle along its scenic route.
Statue of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius: Admire the statue of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, which once stood in the agora of Aspendos. Carved from marble and depicting the Roman emperor on horseback, this monumental statue is a testament to the city’s allegiance to the Roman Empire. Visitors can view a replica of the statue at the site, while the original is housed in the Antalya Museum. Admission to the Antalya Museum is separate from the Aspendos admission ticket.
Guided Tours: Join a guided tour of Aspendos led by knowledgeable experts who will provide insights into the history, architecture, and significance of the site. Learn about the daily life of ancient inhabitants, the rituals and ceremonies that took place in the theatre, and the historical context of Aspendos within the wider Roman Empire. Guided tours are available for an additional fee and can be arranged on-site.

Travelling to Aspendos

Travelling to Aspendos is straightforward, as the site is located near the city of Antalya on Turkey’s southern coast. Antalya is well-connected by air, with Antalya Airport (AYT) serving domestic and international flights from major cities around the world. From the airport, visitors can take a taxi or shuttle bus to reach Aspendos, which is located approximately 45 kilometers east of Antalya. Additionally, Aspendos is accessible by road, with highways connecting it to other cities and towns in the region. Once at the site, visitors can explore on foot or by bicycle, with ample parking available nearby.

You can find more great things to do in Antalya and its environs on this link.