If you’ve ever looked for a holiday in Turkey, then you probably know that Side is one of the popular places for summer holidays. Side is located on the Mediterranean coast and with its ancient monuments, it is considered the pearl of the Turkish Riviera. In this guide I will share with you Side, Turkey: 15 Best Things to Do and See.
To tell you the truth, Side holds a special place in my heart, as I spent a quarter of a year working here and I still fondly remember it today. Turks have a completely different mentality, which, as a born organizer, absolutely drove me crazy, but in the end, I learned to slow down from them. 😊
When to Go to Side
Summer in Turkey is generally dry and very hot, so in the main summer season, expect temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. If you can’t handle the heat, but still want to swim and relax on the beach, then for a holiday in Side, choose June or September.
Although Side is considered a typical holiday destination, you can visit it all year round. You’ll most likely experience pleasant temperatures and smaller crowds in spring or autumn.
Turkish Riviera: where to Stay in Side
Where to stay in Side depends on your preferences and budget. Along the coast, you’ll find countless hotel resorts, while in the town, you can stay in a smaller guesthouse.
- Side Su Hotel (a good mid-range option),
- Kirman Calyptus Resort SPA (luxury option),
- Elia Apartments (cheaper alternative).
Holiday in Turkey: where to Find the Best Tours
The best place to look for tours to Turkey is on the Invia portal, because there you have a selection of tours from 150 Czech travel agencies, which the portal verifies, so you don’t have to worry about losing money. Additionally, you can easily compare prices from individual travel agencies on the portal.
Side, Turkey: 15 Best Things to Do and See
The area where the town of Side is located today was once part of ancient Rome, and it’s evident everywhere. I’ve compiled 15 tips on what to see and do in Side for you.
Beaches and Swimming
Probably the main reason tourists come to Side is for the beaches and swimming in the sea. In Side, you’ll find two main beaches, which are extensive and surrounded by hotels and restaurants. These are:
- West Beach: an 8 km beach with a promenade and coarser sand with pebbles,
- Sorgun Beach: a 7 km beach that is quieter, but restaurants are more expensive.
Old Town
You’ll feel the breath of ancient times in the Old Town, where you’ll discover all the ancient monuments nicely grouped together. They date back to approximately the 2nd century BC, and you can explore them within an hour. I recommend visiting them in the morning or towards evening, so it won’t be unbearably hot.
Temple of Apollo
The dominant feature of Side is undoubtedly the Temple of Apollo, or rather its remains. On the peninsula of Side, you’ll find 6 standing columns and many remains of the structure.
The temple was also built by the Romans around 150 BC, and Emperor Antonius Pius later expanded the temple with additional adjacent structures. Admission to the area is free.
Roman Theatre
The Roman Theatre in Side is one of the best-preserved monuments on the entire Turkish Riviera. It was built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, but it has the typical Greek form of semicircular theatres.
Connected to the amphitheatre is Vespasian’s Arch, which formerly served as a city gate. The Roman Theatre is open daily to visitors, and admission costs 180 TRY (131 CZK).
Roman Fountain with Aqueduct
At the entrance to the Old Town, you can see the remains of the Roman fountain with an aqueduct, of which only columns remain. Both the Roman fountain and the aqueduct are accessible all day, free of charge.
Side Museum
The Side Museum is also worth a visit, which you’ll find in the building of the 5th-century city baths. The museum is tiny, but you’ll find pieces with Greek themes in it.
New Town
If you’ve already explored the Old Town, then you shouldn’t miss the New Town either. In the New Town, you’ll discover many establishments, bars, and cafes.
Nightlife
If you’re looking for nightlife, Side also has something for you, but it’s not as intense as in some other tourist destinations.
In the city center and on the coastal promenade, you’ll find various bars and clubs where you can sit, have drinks, and dance. Some clubs also offer live music or various parties.
Head to the Markets
Turkey is famous for its markets, bargaining culture, and “branded” items that are almost indistinguishable from originals. Markets are held in Side every Monday, or you can head to the markets in the larger Manavgat.
Manavgat Waterfalls
Visit nearby Manavgat and its waterfalls. The Manavgat Waterfall (there are actually two, a small one and a large one) is low, but it spans the entire width of the river and makes for a nice trip. Admission costs 100 TRY (73 CZK).
Read also: What to See and Do in Manavgat
Manavgat River Cruise
While you’re in Manavgat, take a half-day boat trip on traditional wooden boats along the Manavgat River.
Day Trips from Side
If Side is your base, you can immediately go on several excursions in the surroundings , or you can take advantage of organized tours offered on GetYourGuide.
Trip to the Green Canyon
About 35 km from Side, there is a dam that created the artificial lake Oymapinar. The lake offers boat trips and swimming, but there is no public transport to it, so it’s best to book a trip through GetYourGuide or delegate services.
Rafting on the Köprülü River
The most popular place for rafting is Köprülü Canyon with its namesake wild river. Rafting down this river is incomparable to our Vltava. The water is cold, crystal clear, and the Turks will try to ‘drown’ you a little in it. 😄
Antalya
On the southeastern coast of Turkey, near Side, you can visit Antalya. It offers a beautiful lively atmosphere, ancient monuments, and magnificent beaches.
Transportation in Side
Side is not a very large city, but it still has its public transport that you can use.
Along the hotel complexes, to and from the center, run the so-called Dolmuşes (small minibuses), which will stop wherever you want — just go in the right direction and tell the driver your destination (e.g., Manavgat/Side).
A ride costs approximately 1 or 2 euros and you need to have cash with you. You can pay with both euros and Turkish Liras. Paying is quite an experience; you either drop the exact coin into the driver’s basket, or you might send a banknote along with other passengers towards the driver, and your change will return to you the same way.
Unfortunately, there is no specific timetable, and the Dolmuş will arrive when it arrives. 😄 But don’t worry, during the day and until late evening hours, they run quite frequently. If you want to get on, you need to wave at the driver, but as is customary in Turkey — the driver might stop for you, or they might not. 😄 And when you want to get off, just call out “stop”.
Another possible means of transport is a taxi, but it tends to be much more expensive. At the same time, for example, you can take a tourist road train from the main bus station to ancient Side.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to Get to Side?
Side has good transport connections. The nearest airport is Antalya Airport, from where you can travel by bus, train, or taxi to Side.
What are the main tourist attractions in Side?
Main attractions include ancient monuments such as the Temple of Apollo and the theatre, shopping streets with a marketplace, and the historical Side Museum.
Is Side safe?
Side is considered a safe place for tourists. However, it’s always good to be cautious and follow basic safety measures.
When are the markets in Side?
The town of Side holds markets every Monday.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
