Side-Turkey.

Some places make history feel like a textbook. Aspendos and Perge make it feel like a walk you can take in an afternoon. Within a short drive of the Side coast sit two of the Turkish Riviera's most complete ancient cities, and this guided day brings them together into one easy outing from your hotel. You stand inside a Roman theatre that still hosts opera, then stroll a colonnaded street where chariots once rumbled. No expertise required. Just curiosity and decent shoes.

Aspendos: the theatre that never really closed

Aspendos sits near Serik, in Antalya province, and its Roman theatre is the headline act. Built in the 2nd century AD during the Roman Imperial period and attributed to the local architect Zenon, it is one of the best-preserved theatres of the Greco-Roman world. What strikes most visitors is not just the scale but the survival: the stage building, the tiered seating and the acoustics are all still intact enough to be used.

And used they are. The theatre hosts the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, organised by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet, so this is a working monument, not a roped-off relic. Your guide will explain how the acoustics carry a whisper from the stage to the top row, a party trick that has worked for roughly 1,800 years.

Perge: a city you can read like a map

A short hop away near Aksu lies Perge, a major Hellenistic and Roman city of ancient Pamphylia. Where Aspendos is about one perfect building, Perge is about reading a whole town. You walk a long colonnaded main street, past the agora where business was done, the Roman baths, a large stadium and the theatre. The grid of streets, the column bases and the worn paving make it unusually easy to picture daily life here.

Why pair them?

Together they tell a fuller story: the spectacle of a single masterpiece at Aspendos, and the lived-in texture of an entire urban centre at Perge. Many travellers also fold in the seaside ancient city of Side and, depending on the day, the Kursunlu Waterfall. Your guide will confirm the exact route and any optional stops at booking.

What the day actually feels like

This is a relaxed cultural outing rather than a forced march. You walk on uneven ancient stone, so flat, grippy shoes and water matter. Bring a hat in summer, because shade is limited among the ruins. A camera or phone is enough; the theatre at Aspendos and the long street at Perge both reward a few unhurried minutes rather than a quick snap.

Quick Facts

• Duration: Guided day tour, exact duration confirmed at booking.
• Pick-up: Hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat & nearby resorts; time confirmed at booking.
• Includes: Hotel pick-up & drop-off, professional guide, transport. Site entrance details confirmed at booking.
• Excludes: Personal expenses, lunch and drinks unless stated; entrance fees if not listed (check at booking).
• Family Friendly: Yes, great for curious kids and teens; keep an eye on little ones around steps and drops.
• Best Season: Spring and autumn for comfortable walking; summer is fine with sun protection and water.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with walking on uneven ancient surfaces.

Related Excursions

• Tours from Side
• Tours from Antalya
• Tours from Belek
• Tours from Kemer
• Tours from Alanya
• More travel guides on our blog

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is the Aspendos theatre?

It was built in the 2nd century AD during the Roman Imperial period and is attributed to the architect Zenon, making it close to 1,800 years old and one of the best-preserved in the ancient world.

Is the Aspendos theatre still used?

Yes. It hosts the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, organised by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet, so it remains an active performance venue.

What will I see at Perge?

Perge is a Hellenistic and Roman city with a long colonnaded street, an agora, Roman baths, a large stadium and a theatre. Its layout makes it easy to imagine the ancient town.

Does the tour also visit Side?

It can. Aspendos and Perge are often combined with the seaside ancient city of Side and sometimes the Kursunlu Waterfall. The exact itinerary is confirmed at booking.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, it works well for families. Just supervise children around steps, edges and uneven stone.

What should I wear and bring?

Comfortable flat shoes with grip, water, a hat and sun protection in summer. The ground is uneven historic stone with limited shade.

Do you offer hotel pick-up?

Yes, we provide hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat and nearby resorts. The pick-up time is confirmed at booking.

How long is the tour?

It is a guided day tour; the exact duration is confirmed at booking based on your hotel location and the final route.

Ready to stand inside a 2,000-year-old theatre and walk a Roman main street? Book DIRECT with the Murat Atalay team via WhatsApp or info@side-turkey.com. Going direct means no agency or OTA commission and our best-price guarantee. Message us and we'll confirm your pick-up.