Side Travel Guide
Everything you need to plan a trip to Side — a small Mediterranean resort town built directly on and around a working ancient harbour, with a Temple of Apollo standing on the water’s edge.
Side sits on a narrow peninsula on the Turkish Riviera, about an hour east of Antalya, and it is one of the few places in the country where the modern resort and the ancient city genuinely overlap. Ottoman-era refugees resettled the ruins in the 1890s, and the present-day town of pensions, souvenir shops and beach bars has grown up literally among the columns, so a walk down the main street passes broken temple steps and stretches of Roman street paving without any fuss being made of it.
The peninsula tip is the real draw: the harbour, ringed by the remains of the old city walls, opens onto the sea with the columns of the Temple of Apollo lit up at sunset — one of the most photographed spots on this coast. Either side of the peninsula are long sand beaches that stretch for kilometres, backed by the low-rise hotels of Side, Çolaklı and Titreyengöl, and behind the town the flat, fertile Manavgat plain runs inland to the river and its waterfall.
This guide covers the essentials for planning your trip: the top things to do, the best time of year to come, how to get to Side, and where to base yourself depending on the holiday you want.
Top things to do in Side
Walk out to the harbour end of the peninsula for the Temple of Apollo and the neighbouring Temple of Athena, best seen at sunset when the columns are floodlit. The Side Museum, housed in a restored Roman bath building, holds statuary recovered from the site and gives good context before you explore. The ancient theatre, one of the largest in Pamphylia, still stands close to the old city gate and agora. Beyond the ruins themselves, take a boat trip along the coast, spend an afternoon on the beach at Çolaklı or Titreyengöl, and use Side as a base for a half-day trip to the Manavgat River and its waterfall, or further afield to the much larger Roman theatre at Aspendos.
When to visit Side
The Mediterranean season runs from around May to October, with July and August the hottest and busiest, when the beaches and harbour front are at their fullest and midday sightseeing among the ruins can be uncomfortably hot. Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) bring warm, swimmable weather with noticeably fewer crowds around the temple and theatre, and are the more comfortable months for walking the ancient site. Winters are mild but quiet, with many hotels and beach clubs closed for the season.
How to get to Side
The gateway is Antalya Airport (AYT), about 65–75 km away, with a private transfer typically taking around an hour to Side depending on traffic through Manavgat. There is no airport closer to Side itself, so every visitor arrives via Antalya, either by road transfer or, for some, combined with a wider Turkish Riviera itinerary that also covers Antalya city or Alanya.
Where to stay in Side
Side old town, inside and around the ancient walls, is the most atmospheric base and puts the temple, museum and harbour restaurants on your doorstep, though it is compact and busy in peak season. The beach strips either side — Çolaklı to the west, Titreyengöl and Kumköy to the east — suit travellers who want a longer stretch of sand and a quieter, more resort-style stay while remaining a short drive from the ruins. Manavgat town itself, a little inland, is a practical, less touristy alternative with easy access to the river.
Know before you go
Antalya Airport (AYT) is about an hour from Side by road transfer; there is no closer airport.
The Temple of Apollo, on the harbour’s edge, is Side’s signature landmark and best seen at sunset.
The ancient city and the modern resort town physically overlap — expect ruins alongside shops and cafés.
Best months are May–June and September–October for warm, swimmable weather without the peak-summer crowds.
Side makes a convenient base for day trips to the Manavgat waterfall and the Roman theatre at Aspendos.
Beaches run for kilometres either side of the peninsula at Çolaklı, Titreyengöl and Kumköy.
Tours in Side
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Istanbul · Kusadasi · Ephesus · Pamukkale
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Side worth visiting?
Yes. Side is unusual for having its ancient city and its beach resort in the same small space — you can walk from a Roman theatre to a harbour temple to a sand beach in minutes. It suits travellers who want ruins, sea and an easy-going resort atmosphere without a long detour to reach any of them.
What is the best time to visit Side?
May–June and September–October give the best balance of warm weather, a swimmable sea and comfortable conditions for walking around the temple and theatre. July and August are hottest and busiest; winter is mild but quiet, with many beach facilities closed.
How do you get to Side?
Fly into Antalya Airport (AYT), then take a road transfer of around an hour to Side. There is no dedicated airport in Side itself, so Antalya is the gateway for every visitor.
What is Side known for?
Side is known for the Temple of Apollo standing at the tip of its harbour, its well-preserved ancient theatre, and a modern resort town built directly among the ruins of the old Pamphylian city.
Can you visit the Manavgat waterfall from Side?
Yes. The Manavgat River and its waterfall are a short drive inland from Side and are a common half-day trip, often combined with a river boat ride.
Plan your trip with us
We operate tours and tailor-made packages across this destination. Tell us your dates and what you would like to see, and we will build the trip.