Side Travel Guide

Side is one of the most unusual resorts in Turkey: the old town sits on a small peninsula that was once an important Greek and Roman harbour city, and today its shops and restaurants stand between ancient columns, a great theatre and temples by the sea. The old town is car-free and easy to explore on foot. On both sides of the peninsula, long sandy beaches stretch for kilometres, lined with hotels from small family places to large all-inclusive resorts. Side suits families and couples who want beach days and history in the same holiday.

Why go to Side

• History you can walk through: ancient ruins are part of the town itself.
• Sandy beaches: long, gently sloping and good for children.
• Plenty of choice: boutique hotels in the old town, all-inclusive resorts along the coast.
• Easy to reach: about an hour from Antalya Airport.

🗺️ Plan your visit: Airport transfers · Compare the Antalya resorts · Belek · Alanya · Antalya

Top things to do in Side

• The Temple of Apollo: a row of white marble columns standing right on the shore at the tip of the peninsula. It is lit up after dark and is the classic sunset photo in Side. The temple area is being restored, so expect some fencing or scaffolding.
• The Temple of Athena: next to the Temple of Apollo. Its restoration was completed and it reopened to visitors in spring 2025.
• The ancient theatre: a huge Roman theatre at the entrance to the old town. It has been under restoration for several years, so access may be partly or fully closed. Check on arrival.
• Side Museum: housed in a restored Roman bath, with statues and sarcophagi found in the ancient city.
• The colonnaded street, agora and city gate: you pass them on the walk in from the car park. A small tourist train also runs into the old town.
• Manavgat Waterfall: a wide, low waterfall in a shady park about 10 km away. It is busy, but an easy and pleasant short trip.
• Manavgat river boat trip: a relaxed cruise down the river to where it meets the sea, often combined with the local market.

Beaches

• West Beach: long, sandy and lively, with sunbeds and water sports.
• East Beach: quieter, sandy with some rocks, about ten minutes’ walk from the old town.
• Kumköy, Sorgun and Titreyengöl: long sandy beaches in front of the resort hotels on either side of Side.

Boat trips and tours

• Manavgat river and waterfall cruise.
• Green Canyon boat trip on the turquoise Oymapınar dam lake.
• Köprülü Canyon rafting, about an hour away.
• History tours to Aspendos and Perge.
• Quad and jeep safaris in the hills behind the coast.

Getting there

• Antalya Airport: about 65–75 km, roughly 1 hour.
• Gazipaşa–Alanya Airport: about 100 km.
• Dolmuş minibuses run to Manavgat, with buses on to Antalya and Alanya.
• The old town is closed to cars, so park outside and walk or take the little train.

Where to stay

• Side old town: boutique hotels and pensions among the ruins.
• Kumköy and the west side: mid-range hotels within walking distance of the old town.
• Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç and Kızılot: large all-inclusive resorts on the beach.

When to go

The best months are May, June, September and October. July and August are very hot and busy; the sea is warm, around 28°C. In winter the old town becomes quiet and many shops close.

What to eat

Fish and meze are the classic choice in the harbour restaurants of the old town, though prices there are higher. In Manavgat you will find more local, simpler food: piyaz (Antalya-style bean salad), kebab and fresh trout from the river area.

What visitors say: practical tips

• Visit the ruins early in the morning or at sunset: coach tours arrive at midday.
• Some restaurants in the old town use pushy waiters to bring people in, and prices can be high. Check the menu first.
• There is little shade at the ruins, so bring water and a hat.
• Many people say the sunset at the Temple of Apollo is the highlight of their holiday.

Day trips from Side

• Manavgat Waterfall (about 10 km).
• Aspendos (about 45 km): one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world.
• Green Canyon (about 40 km) and Köprülü Canyon (about 70 km).
• Perge (about 60 km) and Antalya (about 75 km).
• Alanya (about 60 km): castle, Cleopatra Beach and boat trips.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Temple of Apollo by Maksym Kozlenko (CC BY-SA 4.0); Manavgat Waterfall by Demonlord1982 (CC BY-SA 4.0).