The ancient theatre of Halicarnassus sits on the hillside above the town, cut into the rock in the Hellenistic style with a spectacular view over the harbour and the bay. It was built in the 4th century BC and could seat around 13,000 people. The seating tiers are in reasonable condition, and the stage building has been partly restored for performances.
The theatre hosts occasional summer concerts and cultural events — check the local listings if you are visiting in July or August. Outside those events it is usually quiet and freely accessible, making it one of the better places in Bodrum to get away from the crowds while getting a sense of the ancient city's scale.