Side (Turkey) – a city built in the era of Ancient Greece, today is one of the most popular resorts in the province of Antalya. Rare sights, picturesque beaches, and a highly developed tourist infrastructure have brought the object unprecedented popularity among travelers. Side is located in the south-west of the country and is part of the city of Manavgat, from which the resort is separated by 7 km. The population of the object is just over 14 thousand people.
The construction of the city dates back to the 7th century BC, when the area began to be developed by the Hellenes who arrived from Western Anatolia. It was the Greeks who gave the name of the city “Side”, which in translation from the Greek dialect that appeared at that time meant”pomegranate”. The fruit was considered a symbol of prosperity and fertility, and its image decorated ancient coins. Over the centuries, the Greeks expanded and strengthened the city, successfully trading with neighboring objects through two ports.
Side reached its peak in the 2nd-3rd centuries AD, when it was part of the Roman Empire: it was during this period that most of the ancient structures were built, the ruins of which have survived to this day. By the 7th century, after numerous Arab raids, the city fell into decline and only in the 10th century, ravaged and destroyed, returned to the indigenous inhabitants, and a couple of centuries later it became part of the Ottoman Empire.
Such a rich history of Side could not but be reflected in the monuments of architecture. Some of them were only ruins, while others were preserved in good condition. Large-scale restoration works initiated by the American publicist Alfred Friendly, who lived and worked in the ancient city of Side in Turkey for several years, largely helped the sights survive. Thanks to his efforts, today we can admire the most valuable ancient structures and study the exhibits of the archaeological museum.
Attractions
Most of Side’s attractions are located at the main entrance to the city, and some sites are located near the sea coast. There is a large bazaar right in the center, where you can find popular Turkish products. Cozy cafes and restaurants are lined up along the coast, where national live music is played in the evenings. An incredible combination of seascapes, ancient monuments, lush vegetation and well-established infrastructure attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. What are the sights of Side in Turkey that you can see today?
Amphitheater
Although the amphitheater in Side is not the largest on the territory of Turkey, the ancient building really impresses with its scale. The construction of the landmark dates back to the 2nd century AD, when the Roman Empire ruled in this part of the country. At that time, the building served as an arena for gladiatorial fights, which about 20 thousand people could see at the same time. Until now, the building is characterized by good acoustics, and from the upper spectator stands today there are interesting views of the area.
- Адрес: Side Mahallesi, Liman Cd., 07330 Manavgat/Antalya.
- Opening hours: during the summer season, the attraction is open from 08: 00 to 19: 00, in winter-from 08: 00 to 17: 30.
- Visit fee: 30 TL.
Vespasian’s Gate (Vespasianus Aniti)
On the way to the ancient city, guests are greeted by an ancient arched gate, which is considered the main entrance to Side. The structure, dated to the 1st century AD, was erected in honor of the Roman ruler Vespasian. The height of the building reaches 6 m. Once towers rose on both sides of the gate, and the niches of the structure were decorated with statues of the emperor. Today, only ruins remain of the ancient building, but even these ruins can declare the grandeur and monumentality of the architecture of the Roman Empire.
Temple of Apollo
The main attraction and symbol of the city of Side was the Temple of Apollo, located on a rocky shore near the sea harbor. The monastery was built in the 2nd century AD in honor of the ancient Greek sun god and patron of the arts Apollo. The building was built for several years and was originally a rectangular building decorated with a marble colonnade. In the 10th century, during a powerful earthquake, the temple was almost destroyed. Today, only the facade, consisting of five columns, and fragments of the foundation remain from the building. You can visit the attraction at any time completely free of charge.
The monumental Nymphaeum Fountain
In the ancient city of Side, part of a rather unusual building that once served as a bubbling fountain has survived. The structure was built in the 2nd century AD as a sign of respect for the Roman rulers Titus and Vespasian. Once the building was a three-story fountain with a height of 5 m and a width of about 35 m, which by the standards of that time was considered a truly grandiose structure. Water was supplied to the Nymphaeum through a stone aqueduct drawn from the Manavgat River.
Previously, the fountain was richly decorated with marble colonnades and statues, but today only two dilapidated floors with several monoliths remain from the structure. It is forbidden to approach the attraction closely, but you can also see the fountain from afar.
Ancient Roman aqueduct
Often in the photo of the city of Side and other resorts in Turkey, you can see ancient stone arched structures stretching for several kilometers. This is nothing more than aqueducts — a system of ancient Roman aqueducts, through which water entered the houses of ancient cities. Today, the remains of ancient water supply structures can be observed all along the Mediterranean coast. Side also has an ancient water supply system that stretches for a distance of 30 km and includes 16 tunnels and 22 aqueduct bridges. Once upon a time, water came to the city from the Manavgat River through an underground pipe located 150 m from the main gate.
Side Museum
In the middle of the 20th century, large-scale archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory of Side, during which a lot of valuable artifacts were discovered. After completing the research, it was decided to open a museum dedicated to the civilizations that once flourished in the city. The collection is housed in a restored Roman bathhouse. Today, the museum is divided into 2 sections: one is located inside the building, the second-outside in the open air. Among the exhibits are fragments of statues, sarcophagi, ancient coins and amphorae. The most ancient object of the museum dates back to the 8th century BC. Most of the museum’s exhibits tell about the Greco-Roman period, but you can also see artifacts from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras.
- Адрес: Side Mahallesi, 07330 Manavgat/Antalya.
- Opening hours: from April to October, the attraction is open from 08: 30 to 19: 30, from October to April-from 08: 30 to 17: 30.
- Visit fee: 15 TL.
Beaches
Holidays in Side in Turkey have become popular not only because of the unique attractions, but also because of the numerous beaches. Conventionally, the coast of the resort can be divided into western and eastern. The distinctive features of the local beaches are the sandy surface and shallow water, which allows families with children to relax comfortably. The water in the sea warms up by mid-May, and its temperature remains at high levels until the end of October. What is the difference between the west bank and the east, and where is the best place to relax?
West Beach
The western coast stretches for several kilometers, and its territory is divided between hotels and restaurants. The latter equip their own lounge area with sun loungers and umbrellas, which can be used by everyone for an additional fee (from 5 to 10 TL) or after paying for the order in the establishment. Renting sun beds is quite convenient, because then you can use the rest of the beach facilities, such as toilets, showers and changing rooms.
The western shore of Side is characterized by yellowish, and sometimes light gray sand. The approach to the sea is gentle, the depth increases slowly. In high season, there are always a lot of people here: most of the tourists are Europeans. A variety of water activities are offered in the well-equipped areas, and along the coast there is a well-groomed promenade where you can rent a bike or take a leisurely walk among the lush vegetation.
East Beach
Photos of the city and beaches of Side clearly demonstrate how picturesque this area of Turkey is. The East coast in its views and landscapes is not inferior to other popular corners of the resort. It is less extensive than the western one, there are much fewer hotels here, and there are practically no restaurants. The beach is covered with yellow sand, the entrance to the water is gentle, but the depth increases faster than on the west bank. There may be small rocks at the bottom.
You will not find well-equipped municipal beaches here: each recreation area is assigned to a separate hotel. Of course, you can always come to the east coast with your own supplies and food and swim and sunbathe in peace anywhere on the coast. The bonus of such a holiday will be privacy and tranquility, because, as a rule, it is always sparsely populated.
Holidays in Side
The city of Side in Turkey can definitely be set as an example to other resorts. Its highly developed infrastructure offers a huge selection of hotels and restaurants, so every traveler can choose an option that meets their financial capabilities.
Accomodation
There are plenty of hotels in Side. There are both inexpensive three-star hotels and luxury five-star hotels. Among them, you can find establishments with a variety of concepts: family, youth, for children and for adults. Most Side hotels operate on an All-inclusive basis, but there are also hotels that provide only free breakfasts.
Booking a room for two in a 3* hotel in the summer season will cost approximately 350-450 TL per night. Food and drinks are included in the price. If you want to relax in the most comfortable conditions, then there are numerous five-star hotels at your disposal. During the summer months, the average price for renting a double room in such an establishment varies between 800-1000 TL. Of course, there are more expensive luxury hotels, where a night’s stay costs more than 2000 TL, but the service in such establishments is at the highest level.
When choosing a place to stay in Side in Turkey, pay attention to the location of the property and its distance from the sea. Some hotels are located in deserted villages, where there is no bazaar, restaurants, or walking area. Sometimes the hotel can be located very far from the sea, so that its guests have to overcome several hundred meters to the shore in the heat.
Food
The old town of Side is literally littered with places to suit all tastes-cafes, restaurants and night clubs. They offer a varied menu that can include national, Mediterranean and European dishes. It is worth noting right away that prices on the territory of the most ancient city are much higher than in the surrounding areas. Even in stores, the cost of ordinary goods, such as a bottle of water and ice cream, is at least twice as high. Although if you go a little further from the center of Side and walk along the harbor, it is quite easy to find places with reasonable prices. Usually, a large stand with a menu and prices is installed near the cafe.
And now some exact numbers. Dinner for two in a good restaurant with soft drinks will cost an average of 150-250 TL. Approximately the same amount you will pay for lunch in a simpler place, but with a bottle of wine. Outside the old town, there are many budget establishments that sell street food (dener, pide, lahmajun, etc.), for which you will pay no more than 20-30 TL. There you can also find fast food outlets where a burger with potatoes will cost 15-20 TL.
Weather and climate. When is the best time to arrive
If your attention is drawn to the photos of Side in Turkey, and you are considering it as a future holiday destination, it is important to study its weather conditions. The tourist season starts here in April and ends in October. Side has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and rainy winters. The water in the sea warms up by mid-May, and you can swim until the end of October.
The warmest and sunniest period in the resort city is the period from late June to mid-September, when the daytime air temperature does not fall below 30 °C, and the water temperature in the sea is kept in the range of 28-29 °C. The winter months are cool and rainy, but even on the coldest day, the thermometer shows a plus mark of 10-15 °C. For more information about the weather in Side by month, see the table below.
| Month | Average daytime temperature | Average temperature at night | Sea water temperature | Number of sunny days | Number of rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13,3 °C | 8,3 °C | 18 °C | 17 | 6 |
| february | 15 °C | 9,5 °C | 17,2 °C | 18 | 3 |
| March | 17,5 °C | 11 °C | 17 °C | 22 | 4 |
| april | 21,2 °C | 14 °C | 18,4 °C | 25 | 1 |
| May | 25 °C | 17,5 °C | 21,6 °C | 28 | 1 |
| June | 30 °C | 21,3 °C | 25,2 °C | 30 | 0 |
| July | 33,8 °C | 24,6 °C | 28,3 °C | 31 | 0 |
| august | 34 °C | 24,7 °C | 29,4 °C | 31 | 0 |
| september | 30,9 °C | 22 °C | 28,4 °C | 29 | 1 |
| october | 25,7 °C | 17,9 °C | 25,4 °C | 27 | 3 |
| November | 20,5 °C | 13,9 °C | 22,3 °C | 24 | 3 |
| december | 15,6 °C | 10,4 °C | 19,8 °C | 19 | 6 |
How to get
The nearest airport is Side Airport, 72.5 km from Antalya. You can get to the resort on your own from the air harbor by taxi or public transport. In the first case, it is enough to leave the airport terminal and go to the taxi rank. The cost of the trip starts from 200 TL.
Traveling by public transport will take longer, because there are no direct bus services from the airport to Side. First, you need to take a minibus from the air harbor to the main bus station of Antalya (Antalya Otogarı). From there, from 06:00 to 21:30, buses leave for Manavgat two or three times an hour (ticket price 20 TL). When transport arrives in the city, you can drop off at any stop in the center (for example, at any point on Antalya Street). And from here you can get to Side by dolmush (3,5 TL), which runs every 15-20 minutes.
Useful tips
- It is enough to spend half a day exploring the sights of Side.
- Do not forget that Side is located in the open air, so in summer it is best to go for a walk in the city in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun does not bake so much. And be sure to bring sunscreens and a headdress.
- We do not recommend buying souvenirs and other products at the bazaar of the ancient city, as the price tags there are significantly inflated.
The marina town offers cheap boat trips by boat (25 TL). This mini-tour can be a great way to end your busy tour of Side (Turkey).
