The probably late Hellenistic theatre was built into a rocky hollow. The cavea has a total of 15 rows of seats. The uppermost row of seats on the slope, secured by a wall, is equipped with benches with backrests. The stage house is in poor condition.

Kadyanda was an ancient Lycian city in the mountains, within sight of the ancient city of Telmessos. (today Fethiye).
Little is known about the history of the city. The foundation itself lies in the darkness of history. The name is attributed to the Lycian "Kadawañti" and thus proves its old age. An inscription preserved in fragments from the 4th century BC tells of the participation of warriors from Kadyanda in a campaign of the Carian ruler Pixodaros against the city of Kaunos. In Hellenistic times the city was for the first time provided with a fortification wall, some parts of which are still preserved today.

In Roman times the city experienced an enormous boom. Most of the buildings preserved today were erected or, like the theatre, extended during this period. The lack of buildings from the Byzantine period is remarkable. Only some sections of the fortifications can be assigned to Byzantine times by the technique used. From the 4th century A.D. onwards, there are no finds that can be attributed to a later period. The town seems to have been abandoned at this time. The reasons for this are not known. A new settlement did not take place.