Side: ancient city, beaches and a five-day itinerary

Side begins with the Temple of Apollo right by the water. During the day you study the ancient columns, and ten minutes later you're having lunch at a restaurant by the harbor. Beach and history sit on the same peninsula here, so you don't have to choose between them.

Here's a practical guide to Side and the surrounding Manavgat area: where to stay, what to see, how much tickets cost, and how to get there from Antalya Airport. The ancient theater has been closed for restoration since November 29, 2024 (official museum portal), but the rest of the city is open.

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Side in a nutshell

💡 In short:

• Visit the ancient city in the morning, and save the Temple of Apollo for sunset: that's when the light is best for photos.
• Stay in Selimiye if you want to walk to the ruins, and in Kumkoy if you want sand right outside your window.
• Plan for five to seven days: that gives you enough time for both the beach and Aspendos without rushing.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.

Side or Manavgat: what's the difference

Side is administratively part of the Manavgat district, but they are two completely different places. Manavgat is a large city where people live year-round: ordinary shopping streets, government offices, a bus station, and a river. Side is a coastal resort with ancient history. They're about 8 km apart (as of 09/2026, official Side museum page).

Side is right for you if you want:

• sea and beach within walking distance;
• ancient monuments and a museum;
• restaurants, cafes, and a harbor near your hotel;
• an evening stroll among the ruins;
• small city hotels instead of huge complexes.

Manavgat is more interesting if you need:

• city life without the tourist facade;
• shopping and local markets;
• a bus station and convenient connections;
• a river, a waterfall, and boat trips.

A vacation in Side is easy to combine with a few trips to Manavgat: the drive takes just minutes, and the impressions are quite different. Many visitors do exactly that when they want to see a real Turkish city, not just a resort street.

Where to stay in Side

The name "Side" in booking platforms doesn't just mean the old town. Hotel areas to the west and east of the peninsula are also counted as Side, and your choice of area determines whether you'll walk to the ruins or take a bus every time. Below are the four main options; check prices and availability on Trip.com.

Distances are shown on the map and are approximate; they depend on the specific hotel.

Old town and center

If you want to step out of your hotel and immediately find yourself among ancient columns, look for accommodation in Side proper, meaning the Selimiye quarter. The Temple of Apollo, the harbor, the old town, the museum, and dozens of ruins are all within walking distance here. Plus restaurants, small hotels, and shops just steps away.

The catch: there are fewer large complexes with pools and entertainment here than in the neighboring hotel areas.

Kumkoy

West of Side lies Kumkoy. It's one of the largest hotel areas around the city, with long sandy beaches, restaurants, and shops. Kumkoy is popular with families and package-tour travelers: the infrastructure is built specifically for that kind of vacation.

© Dosseman · CC BY-SAPhoto: Dosseman, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The catch: you'll need to take a bus, taxi, or transfer to reach the historic center.

Evrenseki and Colakli

Further west are Evrenseki and Colakli. Large resort complexes stand here, often right on the beach or a few minutes from it. If you plan to spend your vacation on hotel grounds, with a pool, buffet, and the sea nearby, this area offers a very wide choice.

© Rene Nueesch · CC BYPhoto: Rene Nueesch, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The catch: the phrase "hotel in Side" is a bit misleading here. A hotel in Colakli isn't next to the Temple of Apollo; it's several kilometers away.

Sorgun

East of historic Side is Sorgun. This area stands out for its pine forests and greener, sometimes almost park-like surroundings. Large resort hotels exist here too, but the setting feels more natural than on the western side of the peninsula.

© Omer Unlu · CC BYPhoto: Omer Unlu, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The catch: you'll also need transport to get to the old town and harbor; walking there is not a short stroll.

Ancient city of Side

The heart of the city is the ancient city of Side (Side Antik Kenti). As soon as you approach the old town, you see ruins standing right up against modern streets. Side was a significant settlement no later than the beginning of the first millennium BC, and later the city was ruled by the Lydians, Hellenistic kings, Pergamon, Rome, and Byzantium. It grew especially large in the Roman era as a trading port.

The theater, agora, nymphaeum, colonnaded streets, city walls, baths, temple complexes, harbor, and monumental gates have survived or been partially restored. The main difference from many other excavation sites: the ancient city is part of a working resort. You don't need to organize a separate full-day excursion; just step out of your hotel.

© Miguel Discart · CC BY-SAPhoto: Miguel Discart, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Who it's for: those who want to see antiquity without bus tours and entrance lines. The catch: in summer at midday the open site gets very hot, so plan your visit for the morning or the evening session.

Temple of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo (Apollon Tapınağı) is Side's main landmark. It stands right by the sea, near the ancient harbor. Apollo and Athena were among the city's main deities, and both temples were built in the Roman era at the end of the monumental colonnaded street by the port. Mostly columns remain from the structures, some of them reconstructed.

The best time to visit is late evening. When the sun sets behind the columns over the Mediterranean, you get the most recognizable view of the Turkish Riviera. Arrive about an hour before sunset. That way you'll find a free spot by the parapet and calmly take photos without the crowds. Book guided tours of Side and trips to nearby monuments in advance on GetYourGuide; in season, sunset slots sell out quickly.

Who it's for: photographers and anyone coming to Side for that one shot. The catch: in the evening the temple gets crowded, and the nearby parking lot is small.

Temple of Athena

Right next to the Temple of Apollo stood the Temple of Athena. Its remains are less prominent, but they belong to the same monumental temple complex near the harbor. If you photograph the five columns of Apollo and walk away, you miss a large part of the historic port landscape.

© Dosseman · CC BY-SAPhoto: Dosseman, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

It's better to walk the entire site on foot along this route: the harbor, then Apollo, then Athena and the ancient streets. That way you'll see how the space of the ancient port was organized, and it won't take more than an hour. Wear comfortable shoes: the stones and slabs are uneven in places.

The catch: there are few signs and explanations on site, so without preparation some of the ruins just look like rocks.

Ancient Theater of Side

The Ancient Theater of Side (Side Antik Tiyatrosu) is considered one of the city's most significant structures. It stands at the narrowest point of the peninsula. The theater's plan follows the Hellenistic tradition, while the construction technique is already Roman. What's unusual is that part of the seating rests on a system of vaults and arches, and the Turkish Ministry of Culture calls this design the only one of its kind in Anatolia (site description).

© Miguel Discart · CC BY-SAPhoto: Miguel Discart, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Important for 2026: the theater has been closed to visitors for restoration since November 29, 2024 (official information). Work is ongoing, and no reopening date has been announced. The rest of the Side archaeological area remains open. Check the status on the official website before your trip: the theater could reopen at any time.

The catch: you can't go inside right now, so you can only view the structure from outside.

Side Museum

The Side Archaeological Museum (Side Arkeoloji Müzesi) is housed in an unusual building: an ancient Roman bath. The agora bath was built in the second century AD, later rebuilt several times, and in 1959-1961 it was restored and turned into a museum (as of 09/2026, official page). It was the first museum in Turkey opened in a village.

© Dosseman · CC BY-SAPhoto: Dosseman, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Most of the exhibits come directly from excavations in Side. You'll see statues, sarcophagi, reliefs, inscriptions, architectural details, coins, and objects from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. In 2024 the museum was renovated as part of the "Geleceğe Miras" project. Allow about an hour for your visit, and in hot weather the museum is a good pairing with lunch in the old town.

Who it's for: those who want to understand exactly what they're seeing among the ruins. The catch: the collection is compact, and there's no separate hall for each era.

Night Museum in Side

Side participates in the night museum program (Gece Müzeciliği). In the summer season the archaeological area is also open late in the evening: entry runs from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and the ticket office closes at 9:30 PM (as of 09/2026, Turkey museum portal). Müzekart holders buy the evening ticket separately, while international visitors purchase a regular entry ticket at the ticket office.

For Side this is especially convenient. During the day at the height of summer the open streets are very hot, but in the evening you can explore the columns and ancient streets in comfortable temperatures. The lighting around the ruins adds atmosphere, and photos come out softer than at midday.

The catch: the evening session depends on the season and is canceled in the off-season.

Old Town and Harbor

Beyond the ruins begins today's old town. Narrow streets lead past restaurants, cafes, jewelry and leather shops, souvenir stalls, and small hotels straight to the harbor. This makes Side very compact: in a single walk you combine ruins, shopping, dinner, and the sea.

The harbor itself today is primarily a departure point for sightseeing boats and a popular evening spot. People meet up here, have dinner by the water, and look at the illuminated columns.

The catch: in high season the old town alleys get crowded in the evening, and getting through with a stroller is difficult.

If you want to add a guided tour or a day trip to your walks, check the options in the cards above: they're selected to match the topic of this article and the Side region.

Beaches in Side

Side sits on a peninsula, so there are beaches on both sides. The flat coastline east of Antalya offers noticeably longer stretches of sand than the rocky sections of the western part of the province. The official tourism authority describes the coast from Antalya through Side toward Gazipaşa as a zone of long sandy beaches.

West Beach

The western part of the coast is more developed. From Side the shore continues through Kumköy, Evrenseki, and Çolaklı, and this is where most of the large hotels and resorts are concentrated. The beach is sandy in many sections, and the entry into the sea is relatively gentle, which is why there are especially many families with children here.

The catch: with dense development, finding a free spot on the beach in July and August is not easy, and loungers get claimed in the morning.

East Beach

East of the peninsula, toward Sorgun, the landscape becomes greener. There are hotels and beach areas here too, but the pine forests make the surroundings feel more natural. The water and shore differ little from the west side; the difference is in the atmosphere and the number of people.

So choosing between west and east is not a question of "good or bad," but of what kind of vacation you prefer: a lively hotel area or a calmer green zone.

Manavgat Waterfall

Manavgat Waterfall (Manavgat Şelalesi) is one of the classic trips from Side. It lies north of Manavgat, on the river of the same name. The waterfall is not impressive in height, but it makes up for it with its width and powerful flow. Large trees grow around it, restaurants and tea gardens operate nearby, and the regional tourism authority calls this spot one of the main natural attractions of the Side and Manavgat area.

From Side it is roughly 12 km by road on the map, so the trip takes half a day. It is better to arrive in the morning: fewer tour buses, cooler temperatures, and easier to photograph the water. You pay at the ticket office to enter the grounds; check the current rate on site.

The catch: the waterfall is not tall, so if you are expecting a mountain cascade, your expectations will not match reality.

Manavgat River and boat trips

Another typical activity is boat trips on the Manavgat River (Manavgat Çayı). The river rises in the Taurus Mountains and flows into the Mediterranean Sea south of the town. Many excursions combine a river cruise, lunch, a stop at the sea and the river mouth, and sometimes add the waterfall or the market.

The exact route depends on the organizer. If you are going for nature, ask before booking how much time is spent on the cruise itself and which additional stops are included. That way you will not spend half a day on shopping breaks instead of scenery.

© Maasaak · CC BY-SAPhoto: Maasaak, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The catch: some tours are primarily an entertainment program with music, not a quiet cruise.

Köprülü Canyon

For a more active day, Köprülü Canyon National Park is a good fit. The area is known for rafting, gorges, forests, old bridges, and mountain landscapes. Many organized rafting tours are offered from Side, and a car is more convenient for longer independent routes. Side's official tourism information also lists Köprülü among the top day-trip destinations from the town.

Who it's for: those ready to spend a day on the move and on the water. The catch: it is a full day, and after rafting you will hardly want a second evening walk through the old town.

Aspendos

Another strong trip is Aspendos. Its Roman theater is among the best-preserved ancient theaters in Turkey. Side, Aspendos, and Perge can in principle be combined into one historical day, and such tours are sold locally.

© Saffron Blaze · CC BY-SAPhoto: Saffron Blaze, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

But if you really want to study the architecture, do not try to cover too many sites in one day. Aspendos alone deserves several hours: the acoustics, the stage, the seating rows, and the galleries require time, not a quick photo at the entrance.

The catch: in summer there is little shade at the theater, so bring water and a hat.

Oymapınar and Green Canyon

North of Manavgat, the landscape changes completely. Around the Oymapınar reservoir and Green Canyon, mountains, forests, and deep valleys begin. Boat trips on the reservoir are among the most popular nature excursions from Side. In the height of summer, the mountains offer a pleasant contrast to the beach and hotel zone.

© Alexander Annenkov from Moscow, Russia · CC BYPhoto: Alexander Annenkov from Moscow, Russia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The catch: getting there without a car or an organized tour is difficult; public transport does not go there.

Shopping and markets

For tourist shopping in Side itself, there is plenty of choice. Typical purchases include jewelry, leather, clothing, souvenirs, spices, and ceramics. Prices in the old town are aimed at visitors, so bargaining is appropriate almost everywhere.

For regular city shopping and local markets, Manavgat is more interesting. Keep in mind that market days and locations change: check the current schedule on site or at the tourist information office, not from old posts on the internet.

The catch: market days are not fixed, so you can arrive on an empty day.

Food in Side

The food scene in Side is very international. In the historic center, alongside Turkish restaurants, there are many places catering to foreign guests: pizza, steaks, pasta, kids' menus. This is convenient if you are traveling with family and don't want to experiment.

Turkish cuisine is widely represented: meze, pide, lahmacun, köfte, kebab, fish, gözleme, and Turkish breakfast. If you want more local food, go to Manavgat or step away from the tourist center: the choice is wider there and prices are lower.

The catch: on the first line by the harbor, prices are noticeably higher than two blocks away from it.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Side is lively but not extreme. Around the old town and harbor, there are bars, restaurants, small clubs, and live music venues. Large resort complexes add an extensive evening hotel program.

Still, it's not worth comparing Side to Alanya or Bodrum as a party destination. For many guests, the appeal is precisely the combination: a lively center in the evening and a calm resort character overall.

The catch: after midnight many bars close, so for a club marathon this is not the best choice.

How to get from Antalya Airport

The main airport for Side is Antalya (AYT). Officially it is about 65 km from Manavgat, and for hotels around Side the actual distance is roughly the same, depending on the location (on the map). You'll reach the old town and hotel zones in an hour or a little more.

For the onward journey, there are several options: a transfer from a tour operator, a private transfer, a taxi, a rental car, and a combination of public transport. The airport is connected by bus and tram to the center of Antalya and the main bus station, from where regional buses depart toward Side, Manavgat, and Alanya.

For a classic package holiday, the easiest option is a transfer from the tour operator: you'll be met and taken to your hotel without changes. If you are traveling independently, you can book a transfer from Antalya Airport in advance, and the driver will be waiting for you with a sign.

The form above helps you compare prices for a car with a driver: enter the date, time, and hotel, and you'll see options to Side.

Do you need a car in Side

For a regular holiday in Side, a car is not necessary. You can walk to the old town, the beach, and most tourist sites, or get there by minibus and taxi. Renting a car costs money and adds parking hassle near the old streets.

A car is justified if you are planning several independent trips: Aspendos, Köprülü Canyon, Green Canyon, remote beaches, Antalya, or Alanya. If your plan includes one or two organized tours, you can comfortably do without a car. You can compare rental conditions in advance at DiscoverCars.

The catch: in the old town, parking is almost nonexistent, and the narrow streets are not designed for a flow of cars.

Best time to visit

April and May are excellent for sightseeing and excursions. For a pure beach holiday, the sea is still cool in early spring, and not everyone finds that comfortable. June offers a very good combination: already warm, but without peak heat.

July and August are hot; this is high season. Ancient monuments on such days are best viewed early in the morning or in the evening. September and October are among the best months: the sea stays warm, and the extreme summer heat gradually fades.

Side can also be visited in winter, but many large resort hotels and tourist businesses operate seasonally or with a reduced offering.

The catch: in November and winter, some restaurants and beach infrastructure are closed.

Side in 1, 3, or 5 days

One day

Morning: the ancient city and the museum. Afternoon: the beach. Evening: the Temple of Apollo and the old town. This plan works if you are coming for one day from a neighboring resort. Start early: by midday the open site gets hot, and in the evening you'll return to the harbor for sunset.

Three days

Day 1: ancient Side, the harbor, and the beach. Day 2: Manavgat and the waterfall. Day 3: Aspendos or Köprülü Canyon. Three days give you the sea, history, and one nature trip. Don't schedule more than two excursions in this plan, otherwise the holiday turns into a timetable.

Five days

Add day 4 for Green Canyon and Oymapınar and day 5 for another beach day or a trip to Antalya or Alanya. For a classic beach holiday with a few excursions, five to seven days is comfortably enough, and then you won't be doing anything in a rush.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is Side part of Antalya?

Yes, Side is located in Antalya Province and is part of the Manavgat district. Antalya Airport is the closest airport to the town; from there to hotels around Side it takes about an hour or a little more. Administratively, the resort belongs to Manavgat, not to the city of Antalya, although bookings often simply say "Antalya".

Are Side and Manavgat the same thing?

No. Manavgat is a large town and district where people live year-round, with a bus station, markets, and a river. Side is a historic resort town on a peninsula by the sea. They are about 8 km apart, so you can easily combine the beach in Side with a trip to Manavgat for shopping or the market.

Are there sandy beaches in Side?

Yes. There are beaches on both sides of the peninsula, and especially long stretches of sand extend to the west, toward Kumköy, Evrenseki, and Çolaklı. The shore there is gently sloping in many sections, and the entry into the water is convenient for children and for those who don't like sudden changes in depth.

Is the ancient theater in Side open?

No. The theater has been closed to visitors since November 29, 2024, due to restoration work, and no reopening date has been announced. The rest of the ancient city site operates on its regular schedule.

Is the Side Museum open?

Yes. The museum is open daily from 08:30 to 21:00, with the ticket office closing at 20:30. It occupies a restored Roman bath in the very center of the ancient city, so the museum is easy to combine with a walk through the ruins. Allow about an hour for the visit; in the heat it's a good cool break.

How many days should you spend in Side?

For the town itself, two to three days are enough: the ancient center, the museum, the harbor, and the beach. With beach time and trips to the waterfall, Aspendos, or Köprülü Canyon, it's comfortable to plan five to seven days. Those who want more sea and another two or three excursions can easily stay ten days.

In short: what to book

Side works for very different kinds of trips. You get an ancient city within walking distance of your hotel, long sandy beaches, and several strong excursions nearby: Manavgat Waterfall, Aspendos, Köprülü Canyon, and Green Canyon. For a first visit, plan five to seven days, and you'll have time for both history and the sea.

If you're a family with children: choose a hotel in Kumköy or Evrenseki, where there is a sandy beach and a gentle entry into the water. If you're traveling for history and evening strolls: look for accommodation in the old town, in the Selimiye quarter. If peace and greenery matter to you: look at Sorgun. If your plan includes several independent trips: add a car.

For hotels and availability on your dates, check Trip.com.