Some ancient Roman sites get all the glory. Ephesus, Pompeii, the Colosseum… these guys are household names and are visited by millions every year.
So you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re the only Roman ruins worth visiting!
Of course this could not be further from the truth. At its height the Roman Empire covered an enormous area of Europe and North Africa, including the UK, France, Spain, Türkiye, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Malta, Morocco, and of course Italy.
Everywhere they went, they built towns, cities and infrastructure, much of which can still be seen today.
But apart from the celebrity big-hitters, many less-famous ancient sites receive relatively few visitors, which means you can admire some magnificent Roman architecture with none of the heaving crowds you’ll find at places like Pompeii or Herculaneum.
One great example of this is Aspendos Ancient City, a UNESCO-listed Roman site which I discovered on my recent short break to Türkiye.
This post will give you the lowdown on the history of Aspendos ruins, what there is to see there, how to plan your visit, and whether or not I think Aspendos is worth visiting.
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About my trip to Aspendos
My friend and fellow travel blogger Roma and I spent four days in the Antalya area of Türkiye on a long weekend break. We stayed in a lovely, all-inclusive, 5 resort, but I’m not really a lie-by-the-pool person so I was keen to explore the local area.
So on our second day we booked a tour to Perge and Aspendos, two ancient cities in Turkey that I’d never even heard of before the trip.
The tour also included lunch, and a stop by some waterfalls. We organised it through the Jet2 rep in our hotel, and were picked up and dropped off there.
At the time we went, Türkiye was having another heatwave, and temperatures were around 44° C (111° F). This made walking around archaeological sites in the full sun challenging but didn’t stop me being very impressed by both Aspendos and Perge.
So why should you visit these two Roman cities on your Turkey holiday? Read on to find out.
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Introducing Aspendos ruins
Aspendos ancient city (in Turkish, Aspendos antik kenti) is a UNESCO-listed Roman city that appears to be woefully under-appreciated given its size and splendour.
While 2.5 million people a year head to Pompeii, Aspendos is visited by only about 400,000.
Aspendos ruins are located on Turkey’s south (Mediterranean) coast near the town of Serik, about 40 minutes by car from Antalya or 30 minutes from Side. Both Antalya and Side are popular beach resort areas, which makes Aspendos city a great place to visit if you fancy a day out or a break from lying by the pool all day.
Aspendos also fits in very nicely on a combined day tour with the nearby Roman city of Perge. If you want to know more about Perge, head over to How To Visit Perge Ancient City Ruins In Antalya, Turkey.
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A brief history of Aspendos ancient city
Founded around the 5th century BCE by Greek colonists, Aspendos was later conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BCE, and it belonged to the Pergamon Kingdom until 133 BCE.
Aspendos was a major commercial hub due to its strategic position along trade routes and its proximity to the fertile plains, olive groves and vineyards close to the Eurymedon River (now the Köprüçay River).
Like its neighbour Perge, Aspendos reached its height under the Romans in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. This golden age saw the construction of many of its most impressive buildings, including the basilica, fountains, and aqueducts.
But the main attraction at Aspendos by some considerable distance is the magnificent theatre, considered one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world.
The decline of the Roman Empire marked a turning point for Aspendos. A devastating earthquake, coupled with attacks from pirates, disease, and famine, and the drying up of the Eurymedon River, ultimately led to the city’s abandonment by the 7th century.
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Is Aspendos Greek or Roman?
While Aspendos was founded by the Greeks, making it of Greek origin, the city reached its peak during the Roman period, especially in the 2nd century CE, when many of its most famous structures, like the Aspendos Theater, were built.
So while it’s a notable site for both Greek and Roman history, what you see there today is mainly Roman.
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Top things to see at Aspendos
Aspendos Theatre
Built under Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius between 160-180 CE by the architect Zenon, Aspendos Theatre is the city’s – nay, the region’s! – most iconic structure and a truly magnificent place to explore on a sunny afternoon.
Celebrated for its fantastic preservation and acoustics, its design includes a semicircular orchestra, tiered seating, and an intricately decorated stage building with columns and statues.
There are a massive 41 tiers of seats, with space for 15,000 spectators! Most of the tiers are carved into the natural slope of a hill, with the remaining sections supported by a network of arches and vaults. The 100-metre-wide and 22-metre-high façade give the theatre a real sense of awe and spectacle.
Today, Aspendos theatre is still in use, hosting music and ballet performances and festivals. We didn’t get a chance to do this, but I imagine hearing a full orchestra perform inside a 2000-year-old Roman theatre would be an incredible experience.
Most of the day tours only give you enough time to explore the theatre and not much else. However while Aspendos is not as extensive or well-preserved as Perge, there are a still a few other things to see if you have time.
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Aspendos Aqueduct
With its towering arches stretching across the landscape, Aspendos Aqueduct is another monument that it’s impressive to see still standing today.
Stretching over about 15 kilometres, the aqueduct was built to supply water to the city, and features a series of arches and raised channels designed to navigate the region’s challenging terrain.
One of its most impressive sections includes a siphon system that allowed water to travel uphill, offering a great example of just how brilliant the Romans were at engineering.
Today the best-preserved section of the aqueduct lies a short drive from Aspendos theatre, though slightly annoyingly lots of vendors selling tourist tat have set up their stalls right next to it, somewhat spoiling the view.
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Aspendos Basilica and Acropolis
The Basilica, another not-very-well preserved part of the city, was a civic and religious building, dating to the late Roman / early Christian period. It’s located on top of the Acropolis, behind the theatre, and served multiple purposes, including as a venue for legal proceedings, administrative meetings, and public gatherings.
We didn’t really get to see the Basilica on our tour, apart from out of the window of the bus as we drove past (which is why I don’t have a photo). But from that distance it looked to me like somewhere worth having a look at, and I’m annoyed they didn’t give us any time to see it!
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Aspendos Stadium
Just like the stadium at Perge, Aspendos Stadium was an essential part of the city’s recreational and social life, used for athletic competitions and public events.
Although in a pretty collapsed state, and far less well-preserved than both Aspendos theatre and Perge stadium, you can still make out parts of its long, narrow track and tiered seating on either side.
Access to the stadium is about a 5 minute walk uphill past the side of the theatre and then down an uneven track – it’s not accessible to those with mobility difficulties.
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What is Aspendos city used for?
Historically, Aspendos served as a major cultural, commercial, and political centre. The theatre, with its exceptional acoustics and capacity to hold thousands of spectators, was used for performances, public gatherings, and various forms of entertainment during the Roman era.
The surrounding ruins, including the aqueduct, basilica, and stadium, were important places in the daily life, infrastructure, and recreational activities of its inhabitants.
Today, Aspendos theatre is still used for cultural events and performances, as well as being a major tourist attraction in south Turkey and also a place of study for scholars and archaeologists interested in Greek and Roman history.
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Visiting Aspendos ruins: practicalities
Aspendos ticket price: The Aspendos entrance fee costs 15 euros for foreigners (there’s a different price for Turkish locals. Note that on some tours entry fees are included in the price, but not on all of them, so make sure you check.
MuseumPass: If you’re staying a while in Turkey and plan to visit several sites, it may be better to buy a MuseumPass. This gets you access to more than 350 museums and archaeological sites. The pass is valid starting from your first museum visit and costs €165 for 15 days or €90 for 7 days.
Aspendos opening hours: From April 1 to October 1, Aspendos city is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm. During the winter it closes at 6 pm.
Accessibility: Aspendos isn’t terribly accessible for people with mobility difficulties. There are some steps at the entrance to the site and going into the theatre, and the path that leads behind the theatre to the rest of the site is quite step and uneven. Also the sign boards are quite long and packed with small type, and there are no audio guides available.
Toilets: Toilets are located at the entrance to the site by the car park.
Shop: There is a small shop near the entrance selling souvenirs, drinks and snacks, as well as some local vendors just in front of the entrance.
Parking: Aspendos has a car park in front of the theatre.
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How to get to Aspendos ruins from Antalya
By car: If you have a rental car, it’s really easy to get to Aspendos city from Antalya by following route D400 to Serik and then turn left, following the signs to Aspendos. The journey takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
By bus: Buses to Serik from Antalya go from the main bus station (Antalya Otogar) regularly throughout the day and take about an hour. From Serik you can get a local minibus (a dolmuş) or a taxi to the main entrance at Aspendos.
On a tour: A really convenient way to see Aspendos is on a day tour – which is what I did. There are loads of tours to choose from and most day tours do hotel pickups and drop offs in either Antalya or Side. Day tours usually also include a visit to Perge ancient city, as well as lunch and a visit to local waterfalls.
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How long should I spend at Aspendos?
One our tour we were only given 45 minutes at Aspendos amphitheatre and then a short 10-minute stop at Aspendos aqueduct, which was enough for those locations but not nearly enough to see the whole site.
If you have time and aren’t on a tour, I’d say an extra 1-2 hours on top could be enough to explore the other parts of the site as well.
However if you are on a tour, then I’d say the time we had there was enough to get a sense of the site and see the main attractions, even if it wasn’t as long as I (a bit of a history nerd) would have liked!
Top tip: If you’re travelling independently, I’d recommend going to Aspendos in the morning, and Perge in the afternoon. This is the opposite way round from how the tour groups do it, so you’ll avoid them and probably have the sites mostly to yourself!
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What to pack for a day tour of Perge and Aspendos
Most ancient sites in Turkey don’t have much shade, and can involve a lot of walking. On top of that, Turkey can get very hot, especially in the summer months, and the sun can be very strong.
- Make sure you wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes. Sweat-wicking sportswear is a good idea. I’d recommend covering your back and shoulders to avoid sunburn.
- Don’t forget a hat and sunglasses.
- Wear comfortable, flat shoes for walking around. Trainers or sneakers are great.
- Suncream is a must! I swear by P20 for my body as one application lasts the whole day, and this one from the Body Shop for my face.
- Don’t forget a water bottle. Water is vital!
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Which is better: Perge or Aspendos ruins?
Aspendos seems to get more of the glory – I think because its theatre is really magnificent and has the title of ‘best preserved Roman theatre in the world.
But overall, I was more impressed with Perge. The site is bigger and there is so much more to see – plus you get a really great sense of how a Roman city was laid out and all the different buildings.
That said, I enjoyed them both, and since there’s time to see both in day, why wouldn’t you?
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Is Aspendos ancient city worth it?
This really depends on your personal preferences. I’m not really a resort person and I get bored lying by a pool all day, so for me it was definitely worth it.
Since it’s so easy to get to from either Side or Antalya, a day trip to Aspendos that also takes in a few other places, is a good way to take a break from your hotel, see a bit more of the area, and take in some history and culture.
That said, people who prefer beaches or partying may find stomping around ruined sites in the heat a bit of a struggle, so I guess it’s really up to you!
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Other things to see near Aspendos in Turkey
Most of the Perge and Aspendos day tours will make a short stop at some waterfalls, either Manavgat or Kurşunlu.
Manavgat Waterfalls
Manavgat Waterfalls are formed by the Manavgat River, which cascades over a wide, low ledge, creating a picturesque display. Surrounded by greenery and scenic views, the area is a popular spot for picnics and leisurely strolls. The waterfalls are easily accessible and feature several viewing platforms, cafes, and souvenir shops.
Kurşunlu Waterfalls
We visited Kurşunlu Waterfalls, which are about 19 km northeast of Antalya. Set within a pine forest, this calm spot features a series of small cascades and a larger waterfall that plunges into an emerald green pool (though in summer, when I visited, the main waterfall was not all that powerful).
A network of walking paths surrounds the waterfalls and pools, where it’s nice to have a little wander in the shade. Entry costs just 45 TL (about £1) and there are souvenir and snack stalls by the entrance. Note that you are not allowed to swim in the pools.
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Aspendos Seljuk Bridge
One last thing you might want to take a quick look at while visiting Aspendos is Aspendos Seljuk Bridge, a 13th century bridge which spans the rushing blue waters of the Köprüçay River (formerly called the Eurymedon River).
The original bridge was constructed by the Romans, but the one that stands here now was built by the Seljuks (Islamic Turks). It’s 225 metres long with seven pointed arches in a medieval Islamic style.
Over 1000 years older than Aspendos Roman city, it’s still worth a quick look if you’re passing, though apart from the bridge itself there’s not much to see.
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How to get to Antalya, Türkiye
We did our Perge and Aspendos tour while on a short break to Antalya with Jet2holidays.
We did the whole thing as a package holiday with flights, accommodation and transfers included, but if you prefer you can also simply buy flights direct to Antalya with Jet2.
Our flights were from London Stansted but you can also fly from other UK airports including Manchester and Edinburgh.
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Where to stay during your trip to Aspendos Turkey
We stayed at the Barut Hemera resort, a 5 resort in Side, which is about an hour from Antalya.
I’m not really much of a resort person; I prefer smaller boutique hotels or accommodation that’s closer to nature but as resorts go I thought this one was lovely.
Rooms were clean and well-designed, and the facilities were good: two pools, one adults-only, spa, gym, private beach area, several bars and restaurants, and even a patisserie (great for my sweet tooth). Everything was all-inclusive making it super easy.
It was very crowded when we were there in June, so I’d recommend trying to go off-season, when you won’t have to fight so hard for a lounger by the pool!
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This article originally appeared on Passportandpixels.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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