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— Ancient Ruin

Great Theatre of Ephesus

Last updated: August 2026 Read time: 3 min

Ancient Roman ruins with Corinthian columns, Ephesus

Location Ephesus Ancient City, near Lower Gate

Hours 08:00–21:30 (Apr–Oct) 08:00–18:00 (Nov–Mar) Last entry: 1 hour before closing

Ticket price from $44 (Ephesus general admission)

Typical visit 20–30 minutes

Nearest transport Near the Lower Gate

Great Theatre Of Ephesus — The Great Theatre of Ephesus is the largest ancient theatre in Anatolia, built into the slope of Mount Pion and seating up to 25,000 spectators, notable as the site where the Apostle Paul reportedly caused a riot in 55 AD according to the biblical Book of Acts. It still hosts concerts and events today.

Why visit the Great Theatre of Ephesus? (Great Theatre Of Ephesus)

Carved into the hillside of Mount Pion, the theatre’s massive seating capacity — up to 25,000, roughly comparable to a modern sports arena — hosted plays, gladiator contests and civic gatherings across the Roman period. Its role in the New Testament is one of the site’s most-cited details: the Book of Acts describes silversmiths, angered by Paul’s preaching against the cult of Artemis threatening their trade in silver Artemis shrines, dragging his companions into the theatre in a riot that lasted roughly two hours. Beyond its religious and historical significance, the theatre’s acoustics and scale remain genuinely impressive to stand inside today, and its continued use for modern concerts and events underscores just how structurally intact it remains after nearly two millennia.

Source: UNESCO World Heritage — Ephesus.

What should I know before visiting?

Included within general Ephesus admission — no separate ticket required.
Climbing to the upper seating tiers gives the best sense of the theatre’s true scale.
Stone seating has no shade — bring a hat and water if visiting midday in summer.
Sits near the Lower Gate, making it a natural final or first stop depending on your walking direction.

How much are tickets and what are the hours?

Covered by the general Ephesus admission of approximately €40. Open daily, roughly 08:00–18:00, extended to 21:30 in summer (April–October).

How do I get to the Great Theatre from Ephesus center?

The theatre sits near the Lower Gate, close to Marble Street and the harbor road — a natural stop toward the end of a downhill walk from the Upper Gate.