The popular Turkish resort of Side is located between Antalya and Alanya on the picturesque green peninsula of the Antalya coast, washed by the emerald waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The landscape of the region is a vast fertile plain, stretching at the foot of the Taurus Mountains and smoothly turning into a golden sandy coastal strip. The territory of the resort is richly covered with forests. Holidays with children in Side guarantee tourists a lot of pleasant experiences.
About the resort
Information about the first settlements dates back to the 7th century BC. Throughout the centuries-old history of the city, it experienced periods of prosperity and oblivion. It has turned from a Greek colony, a pirate haven and a fishing port into a prestigious resort with a developed tourist infrastructure.
A small colorful city is famous for its well-groomed beaches, comfortable hotel complexes and historical sights. A considerable number of ancient architectural monuments have been preserved: an amphitheater, colonnades, ruins of ancient temples and palaces, Roman baths and fragments of walls of structures with decorative designs.
A stay in this region will appeal to those travelers who wish to combine a beach holiday with walks and rich excursion programs. A calm and measured atmosphere, a shallow crystal clear turquoise sea, a coast with golden velvet sand, as well as excellent service in hotels – all this favors a comfortable family pastime.
Peculiarities
Tours to the resort are ideal for those tourists who prefer a serene holiday. The city harmoniously combines a laid-back resort idyll with historically significant ancient objects that belonged to different civilizations. Hotels, cafes, restaurants and nightlife lined up along the coast. Well-maintained beaches are full of water attractions. Hotel complexes provide vacationers with a varied entertainment program.
The resort area consists of several villages, each of which has its own characteristics. The settlements of Sorgun, Titreyengol and Kyzylagach attract the attention of vacationers with amazing palm, coniferous and orange groves. In a secluded bay, where there are no winds, there is a corner of Kumkoy. The Colakly region is not distinguished by an abundance of green spaces, but this disadvantage is compensated by the presence of a developed hotel base.
Which hotel to choose
A wide selection of modern hotels of different star categories is one of the advantages of the resort. Guests can choose a luxurious hotel for every taste and budget. Tourists are provided with first-class recreational conditions that can satisfy a variety of requests.
Hotel complexes have their own developed infrastructure. Many of them are family oriented. This is evidenced by the presence of playgrounds, swimming pools, small water parks and park areas for pleasant walks.
Otium Family Stone Palace 5*
Located in the Colakli region. The complex consists of seven 5-storey buildings, surrounded by magnificent gardens and tall trees with lush crowns. On the vast territory you can find swimming pools with water slides, children‘s carousels, swings and trampolines, sports grounds, a health center, bars and restaurants.
Among the flowering shrubs and palm alleys, there is a paved path leading to the hotel's own private beach. The coastline with golden sand is equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas and changing rooms. There is a water entertainment center on the beach: banana rides, hydro scooters, boat trips and parasailing.
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Port River Hotel Spa 5*
Perfect for family holidays. It is located seven kilometers from the city center. The building is built in the form of a multi-storey cruise ship. Deservedly rated five stars. It offers a spa, gym, playgrounds, outdoor and indoor pools, water slides, hammam and restaurants. Spacious bright rooms are equipped with air conditioning, bathrooms, TVs and balconies.
A professional animation team organizes incendiary performances and musical concerts for guests every evening. The sand and pebble beach is 300 meters away. You can get to the coast on foot through a pine alley or by electric car. There is a bar in the immediate vicinity of the beach. The coastal strip is occupied by comfortable sun loungers, sun umbrellas, showers and changing rooms.
Lake & River Side Hotel & Spa 5*
Located between the Manavgat River and Titreyengol Lake. Consists of four buildings. They were built in the style of Ottoman architecture, as evidenced by the strict lines of the facades. The interior decoration reflects the centuries-old Mediterranean wealth of Anatolian civilization.
The small area is planted with flowering shrubs and palm alleys. At the disposal of vacationers, adult and children's pools with slides, as well as a spa, hammam, children's room, fitness center, restaurants and bars. Impeccable service ensures a first-class holiday. Rooms with bathrooms are furnished with standard sets of furniture: beds, tables, armchairs and wardrobes.
Guests will not be bored with various show programs, discos, performances by artists and quizzes. The sandy beach is 750 meters away. Tourists can use the services of a bus that runs regularly to the coast, or go to the beach on foot along a wooded path along the lake. The sand and pebble coastline is equipped with all the necessary resort attributes.
Dream World Hill 5*
It is a seven-story building with a characteristic blue façade. The complex was built five kilometers from the historical center. On the territory there are several swimming pools, water attractions, restaurants and bars. The interiors of the spacious rooms correspond to the high level of five stars.
The rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay: a bed with a soft mattress, a spacious wardrobe, a desk, bedside tables, a TV, a safe, air conditioning, a refrigerator, a bathroom with a shower. Tourists are offered their services by a gym, a spa center and a sauna. Young vacationers will love visiting the children's room filled with all kinds of toys.
Professional animators hold evening discos and bright performances. The private sandy beach is 400 meters away. The coastline is filled with sun loungers and umbrellas. The beach has showers, changing rooms, as well as a bar with a variety of soft drinks and snacks.
Royal Atlantis Spa & Resort 5*
Located in the village of Cholakly on the first coastline. It consists of four six-story buildings. The interiors of the spacious rooms are decorated in light colors. The landscaped area is planted with flowers, coniferous plants and palm trees.
Pools and water slides, an amphitheater and a cinema, restaurants and bars, sports and playgrounds, a spa and a hammam – the developed infrastructure creates wonderful conditions for a memorable family vacation. Young vacationers are expected by a children's club with entertainment programs compiled by animators.
Acrobats, gymnasts, dancers and musicians put on entertaining evening performances. The long beach of the hotel is covered with velvety soft golden sand. Sun loungers and parasols are freely available for guests. The entrance to the emerald sea bay is quite gentle.
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FUN&SUN FAMILY Serra Palace 5*
The magnificent complex guarantees a lot of pleasant impressions for family vacationers. It consists of a three-story and five-story building, as well as 21 bungalow-type buildings. The structures were erected in close proximity to the sea coast. Rooms are equipped with TVs, air conditioning, safes and minibars. The spacious apartments are comfortably furnished.
Offers tourists a wide range of services. A variety of entertainment options for adults and children makes the holiday unforgettable. There are two water parks, several swimming pools, a children's playground with attractions, sports grounds, a gym, an amphitheater, a spa and a sauna on a well-groomed landscaped green area. The animation team organizes various sports competitions, competitions and concert programs. The private beach is 150 meters long.
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Crystal Admiral Resort Suite & Spa 5*
Ideal for an active family holiday. It is located on the picturesque coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The complex consists of one majestic six-storey building erected in a semicircle. The interior of the hotel looks interesting. Stairs, panoramic elevators, glass partitions, long corridors, transparent domed vaults, spacious seating areas – all these interior details create a cozy and luxurious atmosphere.
Each furnished room is equipped with a TV, air conditioning and a safety deposit box. The territory is decorated with neat green lawns with palm and flower alleys, as well as coniferous shrubs. At the disposal of the guests there are five swimming pools, a water park, a gym, sports grounds, a Turkish bath, a spa.
Water rides, games in the pool, aqua aerobics and entertainment show programs will give tourists a lot of joyful impressions. Bars and restaurants will satisfy guests with mouth-watering dishes and soft drinks. For children there are play clubs and playgrounds. Own sand and pebble beach is 50 meters away from the hotel. All resort amenities are available on the coast – sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, wooden decks.
Club Hotel Turan Prince World 5*
The complex consists of one four-story main building and numerous two-story villas. Family tourists are invited to spend a wonderful vacation in comfortable conditions. The territory is literally immersed in thickets of exotic plants. It is planted with citrus trees, palm trees and shrubs.
Guests will find an abundance of all kinds of entertainment for every taste – swimming pools, water park, amusement park, spa, mini-zoo and many other advantages of developed infrastructure. Sports lovers can play football, tennis, volleyball and basketball. For young tourists, playgrounds and play areas are open.
A team of professional animators organizes daytime and evening entertainment activities: discos, aerobics, competitions, sports competitions, theatrical performances, as well as performances of dancers, clowns and gymnasts. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TVs, refrigerators and comfortable furniture. The wide sandy beach is 100 meters away. The coastline is filled with sun loungers and umbrellas.
Bosphorus Sorgun Hotel 5*
Between the sea coast and the Manavgat River, a modern eight-story building rises. Its expressive facade is decorated with original decorative elements that have a visual resemblance to a honeycomb. The hotel offers a high level of service and a wide range of entertainment. It offers tourists a cinema, a gym, children's play areas, a spa, restaurants and bars.
The spacious rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TVs, mini-bars. Panoramic windows allow you to admire the picturesque landscapes.
It offers tourists an original form of an outdoor pool with an area of 1200 m2. Impressive with its variety is the assortment of amazing dishes served in buffet restaurants. At 100 meters from the hotel there is a sandy beach, equipped with sun loungers and shady canopies. Throughout the day, adults and children are entertained by the animation team.
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Vonresort Golden Coast 5*
It is located in the village of Cholakly, which is near the resort center of the city. The complex is a main six-story building and two four-story buildings. The infrastructure is so diverse that adults and children will keep pleasant memories for years to come.
The ennobled area is decorated with lawns, palm alleys and flowering shrubs. Tourists can use the outdoor and indoor swimming pools, water park, fitness center, spa, sports fields, games room, kids club, bars and restaurants. Animators around the clock hold various competitions, competitions, games, and also demonstrate incendiary evening performances with excellent choreography.
There is a wide sandy beach nearby. There are rows of sun loungers with umbrellas. The entry into the sea is gentle. There are also changing rooms and showers. On the beach, vacationers can enjoy all kinds of water fun: banana and jet ski rides, parachuting, diving, boat trips.
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Which beach to choose
Side harmoniously combines historical sights with amazing coastlines. Due to the shallow water and the crystal clear purity of the bay, the Turkish town is especially popular with family tourists with children. The coast is divided into western and eastern beaches, separated by a cape. The sandy strip of the western part of the coast stretches for several kilometers.
The gently sloping entrance to the emerald waters of the Mediterranean Sea is perfect for safe swimming for children. There are areas where a hundred meters from the coast the depth does not exceed 50 centimeters. The resort area has a well-developed infrastructure. It offers vacationers a wide range of entertainment for every taste and age. These are various water attractions, restaurants, clubs, shops and discos. The beach area is densely crowded with sun loungers with umbrellas. There are changing rooms and showers.
Connoisseurs of a secluded and relaxing holiday are advised to go to the east coast. Orange groves and cotton fields adjoin the beach strip covered with golden coarse sand. Here the sea bay is deeper than in the western part of the resort. There are no bars, nightclubs or shops along the coast. The beaches are equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, showers and changing rooms.
The resort covers several cozy villages where tourists can enjoy a serene family vacation on the beach. One of these picturesque places is Sorgun Beach. It is a landscaped amazing sandy strip surrounded by coniferous forest, palm groves and citrus orchards. All entertainment is concentrated in the territories of hotel complexes.
Excursions
The wonderful resort offers tourists to go on informative and exciting excursions, which can significantly diversify the cultural program of the holiday. Organized tours are conducted by professional connoisseurs of Turkish attractions.
Informative excursion programs include visiting natural sites (caves, waterfalls, canyons, national reserves, mountain valleys and lakes), viewing unique ancient architectural monuments, rafting on a mountain river, yachting along the coast, trips to popular cities in Turkey.
An unforgettable experience is guaranteed by acquaintance with the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea. Along the coast of Side there is an amazing underwater world where you can go diving. Depending on the depth of the dive, you can meet exotic representatives of the marine fauna. Tours to Antalya, Alanya, Cappadocia, Istanbul and other famous cities are organized. You can make a trip to the Pamukkale thermal springs to see the cascades of terraced baths, decorated with snow-white calcium deposits.
Best time to travel
The tourist season lasts from April to November. The ideal time for swimming is in June, when the waters of the Mediterranean become quite warm. In the first month of summer, tourists with children can have a wonderful time in peace and tranquility. By the beginning of the season, a small number of tourists come.
From July to August, subtropical heat without precipitation sets in. The air temperature exceeds +30°С. In addition to the incredible heat, there is a massive influx of people at the resort, which significantly affects the rise in prices.
The velvet season is an ideal period for a family trip. In September, the heat gradually begins to weaken. At the same time, sea water maintains its summer temperature. Tourists can combine the perfect beach holiday with sightseeing trips.
What to bring
When preparing for a trip, tourists should take some things with them so that the long-awaited family vacation will leave only pleasant memories. The first step is to collect a package of documents: passports, birth certificates for children, vouchers confirming hotel reservations, vouchers, medical insurance for all family members, air tickets.
An integral part of the baggage are items of clothing. In addition to the beach wardrobe, tourists are advised to bring light, light-colored clothing made from natural fabrics. This will make you feel comfortable on a hot day. In case of evening coolness or hiking in the mountainous regions of the country, a few warm things will come in handy. The hotels offer the opportunity to practice fitness, so sportswear and shoes can complement the resort wardrobe.
Be sure to take your camera or camcorder with you. The resort and its surroundings have amazing picturesque natural corners. The main thing is to take care of additional batteries and chargers.
It is important not to forget to put sunscreen, hats, comfortable shoes and hygiene products in your suitcase. The travel first aid kit should include antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs, antiseptics, ointments to relieve itching, as well as a medicine for indigestion.
Entertainment
The thriving resort offers active and fun-loving fans ample leisure options. Despite the absence of large separate water parks and dolphinariums in the city, here adults and children can find entertainment for every taste. Most high-class hotel complexes are focused on families with children. Extensive green areas of hotels have swimming pools, small water parks, playgrounds and sports grounds.
On the beaches, vacationers can enjoy water fun – riding bananas, catamarans, cheesecakes and jet skis, diving, parachuting along the coast, boat trips on a luxury yacht. It will give all family members a lot of pleasant impressions of a jeep safari in the picturesque surroundings. During exciting trips, you will be able to admire the diversity of local flora and fauna.
A visit to the city of Manavgat deserves attention. It is located 40 kilometers from Side in a green valley cut by the Taurus Mountains. Manavgat is famous for its bewitching natural landscapes. The highlight of the region is a grandiose waterfall. The rapid flow of a mountain river falls from a two-meter threshold 40 meters wide.
The entertainment program should include a visit to the Discovery park complex. The well-groomed green area hosts a terrarium, an aquarium, a zoo and an area with moving figures of dinosaurs.
sights
The resort is famous for its preserved unique architectural monuments. On its modern territory there is an ancient city, remote from residential areas by a moat and small fortress walls. It is literally an open-air museum.
Here you can see the ruins of various buildings, triumphal arches, fragments of walls, marble sarcophagi, skillfully processed stone blocks, a market square with the remains of the foundations of shopping arcades, colonnaded streets, Roman baths and many other historical ruins. One of the expressive sights of the ancient city is the amphitheater, built in the II century BC.
This invaluable heritage of Roman culture impresses with its impressive size. The building served as an arena for gladiator fights. The theater is a semi-circular stage and stone tribunes directed upwards with stairways. The building could accommodate more than 16,000 people who passed to their seats through a covered gallery.
Of interest is the visiting card and symbol of ancient Side – the Temple of Apollo. Only five columns have survived from the former majestic shrine. Their height reaches about nine meters. At the top of the colonnades there is a parapet decorated with bas-reliefs and floral ornaments.
Among the ancient sights of the resort, the Nymphaeum Fountain deserves attention. It was a monumental architectural object. It was a three-story building. The remaining facade will appear in all its glory, divided into sections and arched niches with columns of the Corinthian order.