The Great Theatre of Ephesus is located within ancient Ephesus near Selcuk, in Izmir Province. It stands at the end of Marble Street and next to the ancient Arcadian Way, which led to the ancient harbor. For many visitors, it is one of the most striking monuments in the archaeological area thanks to its size and the clearly recognizable form of an ancient theatre.

The structure began to take shape in the Hellenistic period and was later greatly expanded and rebuilt under the Romans. The theatre could accommodate tens of thousands of spectators, usually estimated at around 25,000 people, and was used for performances, ceremonial events, and assemblies. The rows of seats rise up the hillside, allowing a large audience to be seated and providing good visibility of the stage.

The Great Theatre is also associated with the early Christian history of Ephesus: it is this place that is traditionally linked to the unrest mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. Today, the theatre is seen not only as a separate monument, but also as an important part of the overall route through the ancient city. It attracts tourists with the opportunity to see the scale of ancient urban architecture and better imagine how one of the largest centers of Asia Minor was organized.