Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Eat & drink
    • Food culture
    • Culture
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Side

    Turkey

    Side

    CityCultureBeach

    Side is a beach resort on a small peninsula, about 78 km east of Antalya. You come for the ancient ruins in the middle of town: the theatre, agora and Temple of Apollo stand among hotels, shops and restaurants.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Turkey
    7. The Turkish Riviera
    9. Side
    Side is a beach resort on a small peninsula, about 78 km east of Antalya. You come for the ancient ruins in the middle of town: the theatre, agora and Temple of Apollo stand among hotels, shops and restaurants. Side belongs to the district of Manavgat; the old town lies on the peninsula.

    Sights in Side

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Ancient Theater of Side
    Historic Landmark

    1Ancient Theater of Side

    The 2nd-century theatre accommodated 15,000 to 20,000 spectators and is considered one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the region. The stage building still features architectural decoration from the Roman era. It was rebuilt during the Byzantine period. It is quietest early in the morning.
    Open in Google Maps
    Manavgat Waterfall
    Attraction

    2Manavgat Waterfall

    The waterfall is located approximately 3 km north of the city of Manavgat. It is only a few meters high, but wide and voluminous. A path along the river leads past the cascades. Boat trips from Side combine it with a journey along the Manavgat River.
    Open in Google Maps
    Theatre of Aspendos
    Historic Landmark

    3Theatre of Aspendos

    The Roman Theatre east of Antalya dates from the 2nd century under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, designed by architect Zenon. It is very well preserved, its capacity estimated at over 10,000 spectators. Performances are still held here today.
    Open in Google Maps
    Museum Side
    Museum

    4Museum Side

    The museum, housed in a 2nd-century Roman bathhouse, has been open to visitors since 1962. Displayed in the former bathing and steam rooms are statues, sarcophagi, and other finds from Side. The Ministry of Culture has since restored and reopened the building.
    Open in Google Maps
    Apollo Temple

    5Apollo Temple

    The Roman temple was constructed around 150 AD under Emperor Antoninus Pius and dedicated to the god Apollo. Five adjacent columns with their capitals remain, re-erected between 1984 and 1990. As the concrete base and internal iron rods of the columns deteriorated, the complex was restored again in 2017.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Side

    1

    Aphrodite

    Restaurant at the harbour where the pirate-style excursion boats moor. It is known for fish and seafood such as swordfish and calamari, and also serves steaks.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Side Ocakbaşı

    Grill restaurant with garden terrace and Turkish cuisine. Serving Meze platters, lamb, and mixed grills.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    Gül Restaurant

    Restaurant with a terrace and sea views through the trees. The menu features Meze, lamb shank and fillet steak.
    Show on Google Maps

    Food & Drink

    Am Hafen von Side essen viele Besucher Fisch und Meeresfrüchte. Günstigere, einfache Lokale mit Meze und Kebap findest du in den Gassen des Altorts.

    Fish and Seafood

    Swordfish and calamari are on the menu at the harbour restaurants.

    Meze

    Meze platters with freshly baked flatbread are served mainly in the simple restaurants in the old town lanes.

    Tahinli piyaz

    Bean salad with tahini sauce, an Antalya Province classic, often with Şiş köfte.

    Kabak tatlısı

    Pumpkin in syrup with walnuts and tahini, a typical dessert of the region.

    Culture & History

    Ancient Port CityGreek settlers from Kyme probably founded Side in the 7th century BC. The city belonged to the region of Pamphylia, which also included Perge and Aspendos. The main gate dates from the 2nd century BC.Roman SideThe 2nd-century theatre held 15,000 to 20,000 people and was remodelled in Byzantine times. Nearby are the agora and a Roman bath, which has housed the museum since 1962.Temple of ApolloAt the tip of the peninsula, five marble columns of the Roman Temple of Apollo stand right by the water. In the evening the temple is a popular spot for watching the sunset.

    Arrival & On the Go

    Getting ThereThe nearest major airport is Antalya, about 78 km to the west. From the airport you reach Side by transfer or rental car.Getting AroundOn foot: The theatre, agora, museum and Temple of Apollo are close together in the old town.Boat trips: Full-day excursions run along the Manavgat River to the waterfall and the market in Manavgat.TipVisit the theatre early in the morning, when it is quietest. The Temple of Apollo is best at sunset.

    Accommodations in Side

    Find perfect stay in Side

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Campgrounds in Side

    Find perfect campground in Side

    Search via Google Maps
    Campgrounds nearby (15km)
    Camping.info
    Find Campgrounds
    Park4Night
    RV Parks & Camping

    Plan your trip to Side

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Side

      Live
      • 1Ancient Theater of Side3 days
      • 2Manavgat Waterfall4 days
      • 3Theatre of Aspendos5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Side
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    The Turkish Riviera

    The Turkish Riviera

    The Turkish Riviera is the coastal stretch of Antalya province between Olympos and Alanya, with Antalya at its center. Come for the long beaches, ancient Pamphylian cities (Perge, Aspendos, Side), and Seljuk architecture in Antalya and Alanya. Kemer, Belek, Side, and Alanya are the well-known resorts.
    Alanya

    Alanya

    Alanya is a seaside resort on the eastern Turkish Riviera, approximately 133 km east of Antalya. You come for the Seljuk Castle on the promontory above the sea, the Red Tower at the harbor, and Cleopatra Beach. The district has approximately 360,000 inhabitants, with the old town and castle situated on a rocky peninsula.
    Antalya

    Antalya

    Antalya is the major city of the Turkish Riviera, with approximately 1.3 million inhabitants in its urban area. You come for the walled Old Town of Kaleiçi above the old harbour, the beaches of Konyaaltı and Lara, and the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos in the surrounding area. Konyaaltı is west, Lara east of the centre.
    Olympos & Çıralı

    Olympos & Çıralı

    Olympos and Çıralı lie in a bay on the coast southwest of Antalya. You come for the ancient city of Olympos in the river valley, the eternal flames of the Chimaira, and the long beach where sea turtles nest. Çıralı is a village with guesthouses behind the beach; the ruins lie in a river valley close to the beach.
    Konya

    Konya

    In the Middle Ages Konya was the capital of the Seljuks of Rum, and it is the city of the Sufi mystic Mevlana Rumi, whose tomb in the Mevlana Museum draws pilgrims and travellers. The city of around 1.4 million inhabitants in its three central districts lies at just over 1,000 metres in the south of Central Anatolia, a little over two hours from Ankara by high-speed train. The sights are concentrated between the Mevlana Museum and Alaeddin Hill, and the Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük makes a worthwhile day trip.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI