Ninety seconds on Aspendos
Climb to the top row of one of the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere, and a voice on the stage below still reaches you without a microphone. Walk out afterwards through the fields to the arches of its aqueduct.
Start with the stage building that faces the seats. Its wall rises two storeys, with Ionic columns on the lower level and Corinthian above, and niches between them that once held statues.
The seating climbs steeply, so every row has a clear view of the stage. Beneath the seats, tunnels and passages let performers and workers move around the Roman building.
The theatre dates from the 2nd century AD. It survives in such good condition because the Seljuks went on using it centuries later.
The aqueduct is the other sight. About one kilometre of its arches still stands, part of a line that carried water from mountains 25 km northwest of the city. It used inverted siphons, which made the water flow uphill on its way to the acropolis.
On the acropolis itself, the Upper City holds the agora, a long basilica and a monumental fountain, with the odeon behind it.
Most visits begin and end at the theatre, which stands in the Lower City. Toilets and a small shop are by the car park at the entrance, and steps lead up into the auditorium.
Take the theatre slowly. Start with the stage building, then climb the steps to the top row and look back down over the auditorium.
Behind the theatre, a steep, uneven path climbs to the Upper City on the acropolis. The aqueduct is separate: from the theatre, walk about ten minutes north, across the modern road and through the fields, to reach its arches.
Without a car, a day tour from Antalya is the simple way in, but most leave time for the theatre and little else. Go on your own if you want the Upper City and the aqueduct as well.
A guide can explain the architecture and the stage building. Ask before you book, because some tours include the entry ticket and some do not.
The stone steps are steep and can be slippery, so shoes with a good grip matter here. Bring water and a hat in summer, because shade is limited across the site.
The theatre still hosts the International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, usually in September. Check the dates ahead if you want to see a performance on the old stage.
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