Your complete guide to Side, Turkey – where Roman history meets Mediterranean beaches. Explore ruins, hotels, and local secrets.
Side City (Turkey)
Side (Turkish: Side) is a city in southwestern Turkey, in the Antalya region. It is a popular family resort on the Mediterranean coast, boasting stunning Greek and Roman ruins. Side was the main city and port of ancient Pamphylia, with a rich historical and cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and warm seas.
Geography and Weather
Side is located on the eastern coast of the historical Pamphylia region. The ancient city sits on a small peninsula, less than 1.5 kilometers in diameter. The climate is subtropical Mediterranean—hot and dry in summer, mild and rainy in winter. The sea warms up to 26–28 °C in summer, making swimming possible from May to October.
Distances to major cities: Antalya – 65 km, Ankara – 615 km, Istanbul – 790 km, Konya – 300 km.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is from May to September. The most comfortable weather for beach holidays is in June and September when temperatures are milder. In June, the sea averages around 24 °C, with air temperatures around 30 °C. By September, the sea is slightly warmer.
Practical Information
- Population: over 10,000.
- Language: Turkish.
- Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY).
- Visa: A passport valid for at least four months from the entry date is sufficient for stays up to 60 days.
- Time zone: UTC +2 (UTC +3 in summer).
Side Beaches
Side has two large beaches on the eastern and western sides of the peninsula, as well as a small sandy cove in the ancient city center. The western side has numerous hotels, while the eastern beach features ancient ruins and fewer crowds.
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Hotels in Side
Most accommodations in Side are hotels, with a few apartments and guesthouses available. Nearly all hotels are within walking distance of the sea and operate on an all-inclusive basis, some with private beaches. The resort has many 5-star hotels—large complexes with pools, water parks, and premium services. Prices range from 85 to 7,000 TRY per night for a double room.
Accommodation costs in Side vary by location. Budget options are near the historic center or slightly further from the beaches.
The cheapest option is motels, around 85 TRY per night. Budget hotels start at 100–150 TRY, often without meals (some include breakfast). Mid-range hotels (3- and 4-star) are less common than 5-star resorts. Prices for these start at 180 TRY per night, with all-inclusive options from 370 TRY.
Top Hotels in Side
History and Interesting Facts
Side was founded by Greek settlers in the 7th century BCE. Interestingly, the Greeks encountered locals who spoke a language called Sidetic. The name “Side” translates to “pomegranate” from an Anatolian dialect. The city quickly became a major Pamphylian port.
In the 5th century BCE, Side was under Persian rule. In the 4th century BCE, it surrendered to Alexander the Great without resistance. Later, it was ruled by the Ptolemies and Seleucids. By the 2nd century BCE, it became part of the Pergamon Kingdom before Roman conquest.
Side flourished under Roman rule. In the 1st century BCE, pirates captured the city, using it as a base for slave trade. Roman forces under Pompey defeated them in 67 BCE, though the slave market persisted.
After Rome’s fall, Side became part of Byzantium. Arabs sacked the city in the 7th century, and it was abandoned by the 8th century. A 10th-century earthquake severely damaged ancient structures. Until the mid-20th century, Side was a small fishing village. Its transformation began in the 1960s, when excavations uncovered its ruins, turning it into an open-air museum and resort.
How to Get There
The nearest airport is in Antalya. To reach Side by bus, first travel to Manavgat bus station, then take a dolmuş (minibus) or bus 143T. The city is conveniently located 2 km from the main Mediterranean highway.
Shopping
Side’s ancient streets are lined with shops selling souvenirs, sweets, traditional Turkish goods, clothing, and footwear. Bargaining is essential, as initial prices are often inflated. Many vendors speak Russian. Euros and USD are widely accepted.
For better deals, visit Manavgat’s market or shopping centers.
Food and Cuisine
Side attracts tourists from Germany, the UK, and Scandinavia, so restaurant prices are higher than in Antalya. Try local seafood. Dining outside the ancient city saves money.
Landmarks and Attractions
Side’s main attraction is its pedestrian-friendly ancient city, where ruins blend with hotels and shops. Key structures include the theater, Temple of Apollo and Athena, agora, and Vespasian Gate.
The ancient city was walled, with fortifications dating to the 2nd century BCE. Most walls remain intact on the eastern side, while coastal defenses have eroded.
Theater – A grand Roman structure, the largest in ancient Pamphylia, seating over 15,000. Reliefs still adorn its walls, and it remains in use today.
Temple of Apollo and Athena – A 2nd-century CE landmark by the sea. Only columns and fragments remain. Sunset visits are recommended.
Visit these ruins at sunset for the best views.
Vespasian Gate – A 1st-century CE triumphal arch in the northern city, now partially ruined but still impressive.
Agora – The Roman civic center, featuring colonnaded streets, buildings, and a fountain. Nearby are Byzantine structures.
Near Side lie the romantic ruins of ancient Seleukeia, scattered in a pine forest. Its history is unclear, but excavations revealed baths, an agora, and a Byzantine church. A Roman aqueduct en route once supplied Side with water.
All significant artifacts are displayed in the local museum.
Video
Side on the Map of Turkey
