Amazing Roman Theaters and Amphitheaters by the Mediterranean

I always had an interest in the Roman heritage across Europe and Roman Theaters in particular. There are impressive Roman Theaters and Amphitheaters scattered in every corner of the Roman Empire.

The Theaters and Amphitheaters were part of any Roman city plan. I am the first to admit that they knew how to put together a large-scale show. The Roman Empire covered every piece of land around the Mediterranean at its greatest extent in 117 AD.

With the help of a few of my favorite travel bloggers, I assembled a list of 22 Roman Theaters and Amphitheaters around the Mediterranean that you can visit today. So, here it is.

Roman Theaters and Amphitheaters to Visit

I’ll order the list roughly east to west. See them all on the map.

1. Jerash, Jordan – Roman Theaters
2. Caesarea, Israel – Roman Theater
3. Alexandria, Egypt – Roman Theater
4. Plovdiv, Bulgaria – Roman Theater
5. Athens, Greece – Theater of Dionysos
6. Athens, Greece – Odeon of Herodes Atticus
7. Bitola, North Macedonia – Roman Theater
8. Pula, Croatia – Roman Arena
9. Syracuse, Sicily – Roman Amphitheater
10. Taormina, Sicily – Greek Theater
11. Lecce, Italy – Roman Amphitheater
12. Pompeii, Italy – Roman Amphitheater
13. Ostia Antica, Italy – Roman Theater
14. Rome, Italy – The Colosseum
15. Rome, Italy – Theater of Marcellus
16. Verona, Italy – Roman Arena
17. Orange, France – Roman Theater
18. Nimes, France – Roman Arena
19. Tarragona, Spain – Roman Amphitheater
20. Santiponce, Spain – Itálica Amphitheater
21. Acinipo, Spain – Roman Theater
22. Malaga, Spain – Roman Theater

Roman Theaters Outside Europe

The Roman Theaters in Jerash, Jordan

By Wendy Werneth from The Nomadic Vegan

The ruins of the ancient city of Gerasa, now known as Jerash, are often said to be the best-preserved ancient Roman ruins outside of Italy. Here, you’ll find not one but two Roman theaters. The southern one is the larger of the two and can seat up to 3,000 people. Concerts and other performances still happen here, and the acoustics are amazing! Test them out by standing in the center of the stage and belting out Mark Anthony’s speech from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

The ruins lie about 50 kilometers north of Amman. Buses leave frequently from Amman’s Tarbabour station and cost just 1 dinar. If you prefer, you could also pay about 40 dinars for a private taxi. Ask the driver to wait for you on-site until you’re ready to head back. Another option is to take a private half-day tour from Amman.

Admission to the ruins costs…