Stepping into the Grandeur of Aspendos Theatre

Right then grab a pew and listen in because I am about to tell you about a place that will absolutely blow your socks off. If you are currently sitting by the pool in Antalya nursing a warm beer and wondering if there is more to this country than just sunbeds and all inclusive buffets then you need to sort yourself out and get to Aspendos Theatre. I have been wandering around Turkey for donkey’s years and I have seen my fair share of old piles of rocks. Usually you have to squint a bit and use your imagination to picture what it looked like back in the day but Aspendos Theatre is different. It is proper mint condition. It is honestly the best preserved ancient theatre in the world and I am not just saying that to sound clever.

Let me set the scene for you. You are driving through the countryside about fifty kilometers east of Antalya. You are past the big fancy hotels and into the real Turkey where the farmers are doing their thing. Suddenly out of nowhere this massive structure appears. It is the Aspendos Theatre and it is colossal. It was built back in the second century by the Romans and let me tell you those lads knew a thing or two about building stuff to last. When you stand in front of the massive wall at the entrance you feel about two inches tall. It is humbling to say the least.

Now the absolute best thing about the Aspendos Theatre is the acoustics. It is absolutely mental. The guidebooks all bang on about it but you have to try it yourself to believe it. You can stand right in the middle of the stage down at the bottom and whisper. I mean a proper quiet whisper not a stage whisper. Your mate can be standing right at the very top row about thirty meters up and they will hear you clear as day. It is a brilliant party trick. Back in the Roman times they used the Aspendos Theatre for plays and political shouting matches and probably a few gladiatorial scraps as well. It held twenty thousand people which is basically a Premier League football stadium.

However getting to the Aspendos Theatre can be a bit of a faff if you do not plan it right. Do not even think about getting a taxi from Antalya centre unless you have recently won the lottery. It is a long old drive and with the price of petrol in Turkey being sky high the meter will give you a heart attack before you even get there. Your best bet is to rent a car if you are brave enough to tackle Turkish traffic or just book a local tour. Plenty of agencies run trips to Aspendos Theatre that also stop at the waterfalls which makes for a cracking day out without the stress of driving.

Let us talk about the graft involved. The Aspendos Theatre is steep. The stairs are original marble and they can be slippery as ice especially if you are wearing flip flops which I strongly advise against. Wear decent trainers. Climbing to the top of the Aspendos Theatre in the middle of July is no joke. It gets roasting hot in that stone bowl. The sun beats down and there is zero shade in the seating area. You will be sweating buckets within five minutes. My top tip is to get there first thing in the morning as soon as the gates open or wait until late afternoon. If you go at midday you are basically volunteering to be cooked alive.

Regarding the entrance fee for the Aspendos Theatre you need to keep your wits about you. The prices in Turkey change faster than a politician’s promises due to the inflation. Last time I was there it had gone up quite a bit so do not rely on what Google told you from a blog written three years ago. Bring a credit card or plenty of Turkish Lira cash. If you are a culture vulture and plan to visit a few sites look into getting the Museum Pass for the Mediterranean region. It covers the Aspendos Theatre and places like Perge and Side and it saves you a few quid in the long run.

One thing that makes the Aspendos Theatre truly special is that it is still used today. Every summer they hold the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival. Imagine sitting on those ancient stone seats under the stars watching a world class performance. It is a proper bucket list experience. The sound is incredible without any microphones because the ancient architects were geniuses. If you can snag a ticket for a show at the Aspendos Theatre do not hesitate. It beats a night in the hotel disco hands down.

A quick warning about the tourist traps outside. As soon as you exit the Aspendos Theatre you will run the gauntlet of stalls selling fake designer t shirts and overpriced magnets. It is standard practice. They are good lads mostly just trying to earn a crust but do not feel pressured to buy anything. Also bring your own water. The cafes right next to the entrance of the Aspendos Theatre charge a fortune for a bottle of water because they know you are thirsty after the climb. Buy a big bottle from a supermarket on the way and stick it in your bag.

So there you have it. The Aspendos Theatre is not just another ruin. It is a portal to the past and a masterpiece of engineering. It is one of the few places where you can genuinely feel the history seeping out of the stones. Make the effort to get out there and climb to the top and test the echo. You will be absolutely chuffed you did.

Right I have rabbited on enough now and my throat is getting dry. I want to turn this over to you lot. I bet a fair few of you have dragged yourselves up those marble steps. Did you try the whisper test at the Aspendos Theatre and did it actually work for you or did you just look like a wally shouting at a wall. Did you manage to catch an opera show or did you just melt in the midday sun. Get in the comments section and spill the beans. Your stories and tips are what makes this community tick so do not be shy. Let us have a proper natter about it. Cheers.