Discover Side

The best time to visit Side is May through October for beach and swimming weather. The peak summer months of July and August are hot and crowded, perfect for beach holidays and water activities. May, June, and September-October are ideal for a mix of beach time and sightseeing — warm but not scorching, with fewer crowds. The ancient ruins are especially pleasant to explore in spring and autumn temperatures. Winter is mild with temperatures around 10-15°C — great for exploring ancient sites without crowds, though most beach businesses and resort hotels are closed. The Manavgat Waterfall is most impressive in spring when snowmelt swells the river.

2-3 days is the perfect amount of time for Side. Spend one day exploring the ancient city — the Temple of Apollo at sunset is magical, plus the theatre, the museum, and the old town streets. Take another day for beach time along Side's beautiful beaches and a visit to the Manavgat Waterfall. With a third day, you could take a boat trip along the coast, visit the Green Lake (Koprulu Canyon), go white water rafting, or take a day trip to Aspendos and Perge. Side is also a great base for exploring the rest of the Antalya region without the crowds of central Antalya.

Side is an excellent family destination. It has long, sandy beaches with calm shallow water that are safe for children. There are all-inclusive resort hotels with kids clubs, water parks, and family-friendly entertainment. The ancient ruins are fascinating for kids — they can climb around the theatre and explore the old town streets. Day trips to Manavgat Waterfall (with a boat ride to the base), boat trips with swimming stops, and nearby water parks provide plenty of variety. Restaurants have child-friendly menus and the town has a relaxed, safe atmosphere. Many families return year after year.

The Temple of Apollo is Side's most iconic landmark — the dramatic ruins of five standing columns with their capitals perched on the edge of the Mediterranean. These are actually the remains of the Temple of Apollo and the adjacent Temple of Athena, built in the 2nd century AD. The columns were re-erected in the 1980s from fallen pieces. It's absolutely worth visiting, especially at sunset when the golden light hits the columns against the sea — it's one of the most photographed ancient sites in Turkey. The columns are located right at the end of Side's peninsula, near the lighthouse, and are part of the ancient city archaeological site.

Yes, Antalya is about 75 km east of Side and makes an easy day trip — the drive takes about an hour on the D400 coastal highway. You can take a local dolmus (minibus), a regular bus, or a taxi. In Antalya, visit Kaleici Old Town, Hadrian's Gate, the Antalya Museum, Duden Waterfalls, or simply walk the harbor and marina. Many people prefer to base themselves in Side because it's more relaxed and less crowded than Antalya, then do day trips. Side is also well-positioned for day trips to Aspendos (about 40 minutes) and Perge (about 30 minutes), two of the region's best ancient cities.

The Manavgat Waterfall is a beautiful wide waterfall on the Manavgat River, about 3 km north of Manavgat town and 10 km from Side. The waterfall is about 40 meters wide and falls about 5 meters into a deep pool — not the tallest but impressively wide and powerful. You can walk right up to it, swim in the river (in designated areas), and even take a boat trip up to the base. Nearby is a large bazaar and the Manavgat River itself, popular for river cruises and fishing. It's easy to get there from Side by dolmus, taxi, or as part of an organized tour that also includes the bazaar and a river boat ride.