Side is a resort town built inside an ancient city, on a small peninsula on the Turkish Riviera about 75 km east of Antalya. Hotels, cafés and shops fill the lanes between Roman walls, a great theatre rises in the middle of town, and at the tip of the peninsula the columns of the Temple of Apollo stand against the sea at sunset. On either side of the old town run long sandy beaches lined with resorts, and inland are the Manavgat river and waterfall, the Roman theatre of Aspendos and the green Köprülü Canyon. It is an easy place for families and for anyone who wants history and a beach holiday together. The best months are May, June, September and October. Give it at least three days, ideally a week.
Right now in Side
- Wed 15–27°C 60–81°F 2 mm Showers
- Thu 17–26°C 62–80°F 1 mm Light showers
- Fri 17–28°C 62–82°F Clear
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Rates: ECB
Top tours in Side
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Side at a glance
- Best months: May–June and September–October. Average highs run from about 27 °C in May to 35 °C in August, and it barely rains from June to September (WMO 1991–2020 normals, Manavgat station). The sea is about 27–28 °C in August and September and around 25 °C in October.
- Days needed: 2 for the ancient city, the museum, the harbour and a beach; 5–7 to add Aspendos, Perge, the Manavgat river and Köprülü Canyon.
- Getting there: Antalya airport (AYT) is about 65 km west, roughly an hour by transfer. There is no Havaş airport bus to Side.
- Getting around: the old town is pedestrian and easy on foot; dolmuş minibuses link Side with Manavgat and the hotel strips. Tours or a hire car reach the ruins and canyons inland.
- Budget level: mid-range, with plenty of all-inclusive deals. See our Türkiye guide for money, visas and costs.
Side’s areas and who each one suits
- The old town (Side peninsula): small hotels and pensions among the ruins, with the harbour, restaurants and shops on the doorstep and the beaches a short walk away. For couples, culture lovers and anyone without a car. Traffic is restricted, so expect to walk the last stretch with your bags.
- West Beach (Batı Plajı) and Kumköy: a long sandy beach running north-west from the ancient walls, with hotels, flats and beach clubs. For families who want the old town within walking distance.
- East Beach (Doğu Plajı) and Sorgun: the quieter beach east of the peninsula, backed by pine forest at Sorgun and Titreyengöl. For calmer stays and big resorts in a green setting.
- Kızılağaç, Kızılot and Evrenseki: the resort strips further east and west, mostly large all-inclusive hotels on wide sandy beaches. For a classic resort holiday; you will take a dolmuş or taxi into Side.
- Manavgat town: the working market town about 8 km inland, on the Manavgat river. Cheaper, with real Turkish life and the big Monday market, but not on the beach.
Top things to see in Side
Türkiye’s state museums and ancient sites charge foreign visitors in euros, payable by card; Turkish citizens pay in lira or use the MüzeKart. Prices below are the 2026 rates from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s tariff, as of October 2026, and the opening hours come from the official museum site, muze.gov.tr. Check there before you go, as prices change every year.
The ancient city and the theatre
Side was the main port of ancient Pamphylia, founded by the 7th century BC; its name meant “pomegranate” in the local Luwian language, and the fruit appears on its coins. Its wealth came from trade, and at one time from the slave market used by Cilician pirates. You enter the old town through the remains of the Hellenistic main gate and walk down the line of the colonnaded street, past the agora, to the theatre, the town’s showpiece. Built in the 2nd century AD and unusual for standing on arches over flat ground rather than against a hillside, it held about 15,000 people; a frieze on its stage building shows the life of Dionysus. How to visit: the theatre is open daily 08:00–19:00 (last ticket 18:30), with a night opening from 19:00 to 22:00 (last ticket 21:30) in the season. The ticket for the archaeological site is €7, or €10 combined with the museum. The Museum Pass does not cover the night opening.
The Temple of Apollo and Athena
At the tip of the peninsula, beside the sea, five white marble columns of the Temple of Apollo have been set back up with part of their carved frieze, and next to them lie the foundations of the larger Temple of Athena, Side’s patron goddess. Both date from the 2nd century AD. They stand in the open town, free to see at any hour, and sunset here is the classic Side moment, so arrive early to find a spot on the rocks. Nearby are the remains of a Byzantine basilica and the harbour baths.
The agora, the Vespasian gate and the walls
Beside the theatre lies the commercial agora, a large square once lined with shops, with the round base of a temple to Tyche in the middle and, in one corner, a well-preserved Roman public latrine. Just outside the old town gate stands the Monument of Vespasian, a fountain-like gateway honouring the emperor, and from there the city walls and the line of an ancient aqueduct lead back towards the Manavgat river, which once brought water to the town. The State Agora, on the east side, and the long ancient walls along East Beach make a good early-morning walk.
Side Museum in the Roman baths
The Side Museum is housed in a restored 5th-century Roman bath building opposite the theatre, and was the first museum in Türkiye to open in a village. Its rooms and garden display statues, reliefs, sarcophagi and inscriptions from the excavations led by Professor Arif Müfid Mansel, including fine Roman marble figures of gods and emperors. How to visit: the official museum site lists it as open as of October 2026, daily 08:30–19:00, with the last ticket at 18:30. Entry is €5, or €10 with the archaeological site. Allow an hour, and come in the heat of the day, as it is cool inside the thick walls.
The old town harbour
The small harbour on the west side of the peninsula is the heart of town in the evening, with fish restaurants on the quay and boats offering trips along the coast and to the mouth of the Manavgat river. Walk round the tip of the peninsula from the harbour to the temples along the seafront path; it is about ten minutes, and lovely at dusk.
Museum passes
The Museum Pass The Mediterranean costs €90 and covers more than 40 state museums and sites in Antalya, Mersin, Adana and Denizli for 7 days from the first use, one entry per site; the Museum Pass Türkiye costs €165 for 15 days at more than 350 sites. Neither covers night openings. Side’s site and museum, Aspendos and Perge together come to €36 in 2026, so the regional pass only pays off if you also plan to visit sites further west, such as Phaselis, Olympos, Myra or Patara.
Beaches in Side
Side sits between two long beaches of fine, pale sand that shelve gently into the sea, which makes it one of the best spots on the coast for small children. Antalya province had 232 Blue Flag beaches in 2026, the most of any Turkish province. Public beaches are free; you pay for sunbeds and umbrellas at the clubs and hotels. For more ideas, see our beach guide.
| Beach | Area | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Beach (Batı Plajı) | North-west of the old town | Long sandy beach, gentle slope | Families, walks to the old town |
| East Beach (Doğu Plajı) | Beside the ancient walls | Sand, quieter, ruins behind | A swim with history, calmer days |
| Sorgun | 3 km east | Sand backed by pine forest | Shade, resorts, a greener setting |
| Kumköy | 2 km north-west | Wide sand with beach clubs | Water sports, families |
| Kızılot | About 20 km east | Long, wild sandy beach | Space; sea-turtle nesting area |
The sea at Side is usually calm in the morning, with waves building on windy afternoons; swim inside the buoyed zones, which keep boats and jet skis out. Kızılot is one of Türkiye’s protected sea-turtle nesting beaches: from May to the end of September, nesting beaches are closed to people from 20:00 to 08:00, and tents, fires, vehicles and lights on the sand are forbidden. Keep away from marked nests.
Wildfire season rules (as of October 2026)
The pine forests in the hills behind Side are highly flammable in the long dry summer. In 2021 the Manavgat fire, which started just north of the town, burned about 160,000 hectares and reached the edge of the resort area. The Antalya Governorate’s 2026 rules apply here:
- Forest entry ban: entering forests in Antalya province is banned from 1 May to 31 October 2026, except at listed forest parks and day-use areas. Jeep safaris and walks keep to permitted routes.
- No fires: no barbecues, campfires or stoves in the countryside, and no fire at all in the listed picnic areas between 21:00 and 08:30 until 31 October.
- No fireworks or sky lanterns within about 4 km of forests.
- Penalties: fines and criminal charges; starting a fire can mean prison.
- If you see smoke or fire: call 112.
Other things to do in Side
The Manavgat waterfall and river boats
About 12 km from Side, just north of Manavgat town, the Manavgat waterfall is a wide, low cascade where the green river tumbles over a ledge, in a shady park with tea gardens and souvenir stalls. It is run by the municipality’s company, with a small entry fee in lira. It is not a tall waterfall, but it is cool and pretty, especially in spring when the river is high. From the riverbank in Manavgat, boats run trips down the river past the town and through reed beds to the river mouth, where you can swim from a sandbank at the sea; many stop at the bazaar on the way. Agree the price and the route before you board. See our boat trips guide.
Köprülü Canyon and rafting
About an hour north of Side, the Köprülü Canyon National Park follows the cold, clear Köprüçay river through a deep limestone gorge, crossed by the single-arched Roman Oluk bridge. Rafting companies run easy, family-friendly trips on the river from spring to autumn, usually with a lunch stop at a riverside restaurant, and most include pick-ups from Side hotels. Higher up, the ruins of ancient Selge, with a theatre among the rocks and village houses, make a quiet detour. Choose a licensed company that provides helmets and life jackets.
Diving, cycling and the Monday market
Dive centres in Side run beginner dives and trips to nearby reefs and wrecks; choose one authorised by the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation (TSSF). See our diving guide. The flat coast road and the paths around Sorgun’s pine forest suit an early-morning bike ride (see our cycling guide). On Mondays, Manavgat’s big market sells fruit, cheese, olives, spices and textiles; go in the morning and take a dolmuş from Side.
Food and evenings
Eat grilled fish and meze at the harbour, gözleme (filled flatbread) at the waterfall, trout by the river at Köprülü Canyon and piyaz, Antalya’s white bean salad, with grilled meatballs. In the evening, the old town is busy but relaxed, with cocktail bars on the harbour and in the lanes, live music in summer and the theatre’s night opening. Since January 2026 restaurants in Türkiye may no longer add service or cover charges to the bill.
Day trips from Side
- Aspendos: the best-preserved Roman theatre of the ancient world, about 40 km west, with a Roman aqueduct on the plain below. €15 in 2026; daily 08:00–19:00, last ticket 18:30. Go at opening time or late in the afternoon.
- Perge: a large Greco-Roman city about 60 km west, with a colonnaded street, Hellenistic towers, baths and a stadium. €11 in 2026; daily 08:00–19:00. Its theatre is closed for restoration as of October 2026. Combine it with Aspendos in a day.
- Antalya: Kaleiçi old town, the harbour and the waterfalls, about 75 km west. See our Antalya guide.
- Alanya: the castle peninsula, the cable car and Cleopatra Beach, about an hour east. See our Alanya guide.
- Belek: golf, the long beach and the Land of Legends theme park, about 40 minutes west.
Nearby destinations
Getting there and getting around
From Antalya airport (AYT) to Side
- Transfers: the easiest way. Most hotels and package holidays include a shared transfer, and private transfers can be booked in advance; the drive is about 65 km and roughly an hour.
- No Havaş bus: Havaş does not run from Antalya airport to Side (or to Kemer or Alanya). Its only Antalya airport route goes into the city.
- By public transport: take the AntRay tram or the Havaş bus into Antalya, then a coach from the main bus station (otogar) to Manavgat, and a dolmuş on to Side. It is cheap but takes much of a day with luggage.
- Taxi: metered yellow taxis wait outside both terminals; agree the route before you set off, as a long trip on the meter adds up.
Around Side
- On foot: the old town, the harbour, the temples and both beaches are within walking distance. Vehicles are restricted on the peninsula; a small tractor-pulled shuttle runs from the car park outside the walls to the theatre in season. See our city sightseeing guide.
- Dolmuş: minibuses run often between Side, Manavgat bus station and the hotel strips; pay in lira, in cash or by card where accepted.
- Coaches: from Manavgat bus station to Antalya, Alanya and the rest of Türkiye, including overnight to Cappadocia.
- Hire car or tours: the easiest way to see Aspendos, Perge and Köprülü Canyon in a day. Parking near the old town fills up in summer.
When to go and how long to stay
Side has a hot, dry summer and a mild, wet winter. From June to September it hardly rains, and July and August are very hot, with average highs near 35 °C; fine on the beach, but see the ruins early or late. May, June, September and October are the sweet spot, with a warm sea and comfortable days. In winter, many resort hotels close, but the old town stays open and sunny days are common between rain spells.
| Season | Average high / low | Rainy days a month | Sea temperature | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 19–27 °C / 9–16 °C | 3–6 | 17–21 °C | Green and fresh; best for ruins and rafting; the sea warms up in late May. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 31–35 °C / 20–23 °C | 1–2 | 24–28 °C | Hot, dry and sunny; peak beach season; sightsee early. |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 22–32 °C / 12–20 °C | 2–7 | 21–27 °C | The warmest sea and calmer streets in September and October; rain returns in November. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 15–17 °C / 7–9 °C | 9–12 | 16–18 °C | Mild, with heavy rain on some days; many hotels closed; quiet ruins. |
Air figures are the WMO 1991–2020 climate normals for the Manavgat station, about 8 km from Side, supplied by Türkiye’s State Meteorological Service (MGM); the area gets about 1,100 mm of rain a year on about 63 rainy days, almost all from November to March. Sea temperatures are MGM’s long-term (1970–2025) monthly averages for the Turkish Mediterranean.
3 days in Side
Day one: the old town gate, the agora, the theatre at opening time and the museum in the Roman baths, then sunset at the Temple of Apollo and dinner by the harbour. Day two: a beach day on West Beach or at Sorgun. Day three: Aspendos early in the morning, the Manavgat waterfall and a river boat in the afternoon.
5–7 days in Side
Add Perge, a rafting day in Köprülü Canyon with a detour to Selge, the Monday market in Manavgat, and a day in Alanya for the castle and cable car. With more time, spend a couple of nights in Antalya‘s old town, or head west along the coast to Kaş.
Where to stay in Side
- Atmosphere and no car: a small hotel or pension in the old town, among the ruins.
- Families: a hotel on West Beach or in Kumköy, with sandy, shallow water and the old town nearby.
- All-inclusive resort: Sorgun, Kızılağaç or Kızılot, with big pools and long beaches.
- On a budget: a guesthouse in Manavgat, with dolmuş to the beach.
Türkiye adds an accommodation tax to hotel bills; it is normally 2%, but has been cut to 1% from 1 May to 31 December 2026, and is usually already included in the rate shown.
Practical tips for Side
- Money: the currency is the Turkish lira, about 55 TL to the euro in early October 2026. State museums charge foreigners in euros by card; daily life is in lira. Pay by card in lira, refuse charges in your home currency, and keep some cash for dolmuş and markets.
- Ruins in the heat: there is little shade in the theatre or at Aspendos; go at opening time and carry water.
- Sunset at the temples: it gets crowded in summer; arrive half an hour early.
- Boat and rafting trips: agree the price, the route and what is included before you pay.
- Turtle beaches: leave nesting beaches such as Kızılot by 20:00 from May to September, and never use lights on the sand.
- Fire risk: respect forest closures and never light a fire outdoors in summer.
- Emergencies: call 112.
What to pack for Side
Pack light, breathable clothes, a wide-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses, high-factor reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable water bottle for the ruins. Bring comfortable sandals or trainers with grip for the old marble paving, beach shoes for the sand at midday, and a swimsuit you can raft in. A light layer helps for evening boat trips and the canyon, and a scarf covers shoulders and hair in mosques. From November to March, add a rain jacket.
Side travel FAQ
How many days do you need in Side?
Two days covers the ancient city, the museum, the temples and a beach. Five to seven days lets you add Aspendos, Perge, the Manavgat river and a rafting day in Köprülü Canyon.
How much does it cost to visit the ruins of Side?
The archaeological site, centred on the theatre, is €7 for foreign visitors in 2026, the museum €5 and a combined ticket €10. The temples by the sea and the streets of the old town are free to walk around.
Is the Side Museum open?
Yes. As of October 2026 the official museum site lists it as open daily from 08:30 to 19:00, with the last ticket at 18:30.
Can you visit the Side theatre at night?
Yes. Besides the day opening (08:00–19:00), the theatre has a night opening from 19:00 to 22:00, with the last ticket at 21:30. Museum Passes are not valid for night openings.
Is there a Havaş bus from Antalya airport to Side?
No. Book a shared or private transfer (about an hour), or go into Antalya by tram or Havaş bus and take a coach to Manavgat and a dolmuş to Side.
How far is Aspendos from Side?
About 40 km, or 40 minutes by car. The ticket is €15 in 2026 (€16 announced for 2027), and the site is open daily 08:00–19:00 in summer.
Is Side good for families?
Very. The beaches are sandy and shelve gently, the old town is walkable, and there are boat trips, easy rafting and a theme park in nearby Belek. Choose a hotel on West Beach or in Kumköy for the shallowest water.
Is the Manavgat waterfall worth it?
It is a pleasant, shady stop rather than a dramatic waterfall: a wide, low cascade with tea gardens. It is best combined with a river boat trip or the Monday market in Manavgat.
How warm is the sea in Side?
About 21 °C in May, 27–28 °C in August and September and about 25 °C in October, by MGM’s long-term averages for the Turkish Mediterranean. The coolest month is February, at about 16 °C.
When is the best time to visit Side?
May, June, September and October, for a warm sea and comfortable sightseeing. July and August are very hot but ideal for the beach.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Opening hours and museum status come from Türkiye’s official museum site (muze.gov.tr), and Museum Pass prices from its official shop; 2026 and 2027 ticket prices from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s tariff as published by Turkish sources; forest-fire rules from the Antalya Governorate’s 2026 circular; turtle-beach rules from the Environment Law as reported by TRT; airport bus routes from Havaş; climate from the WMO 1991–2020 normals (MGM data) and sea temperatures from MGM; exchange rates from the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye. Prices and timetables change, so check the official sites before you travel.
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