Side, Turkey: Ancient Ruins, Beaches and the Mediterranean Coast

Side is an unusual place — a small Turkish peninsula town where genuine 2nd-century Roman ruins sit alongside beach resorts and working restaurants. The old town occupies a natural promontory into the Mediterranean, the same site the ancient city occupied, and the ruins are woven into the streets: a Roman city gate at the entrance, a large theatre in the town centre, and the Temple of Apollo on the sea-facing promontory. You can walk from a restaurant to a Roman temple to a beach in ten minutes.

The town lies in Manavgat district, 75km east of Antalya. It is one of the most visited sites on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.

The Ruins

Temple of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo is the defining image of Side — five Corinthian columns standing on a rocky promontory above the sea. Built in the 2nd century CE and dedicated to Apollo and Athena (the adjacent temple, largely destroyed, was to Athena), it was a significant building in the ancient port city. The view behind the columns — Mediterranean, horizon, sunset — has made this one of the most photographed spots in Turkey.

The temple is open daily; entry is included in the main archaeological zone ticket (approximately ₺500 as of 2026). Best visited in the late afternoon when tour groups thin out and the light is warm. The nearby ancient harbour view adds to the experience.

Side Theatre

Side’s Roman theatre dates from the 2nd century CE and is one of the largest in Asia Minor — seating capacity of approximately 17,000. Unlike most Roman theatres built into hillsides, Side’s theatre was free-standing, built on flat land with vaulted substructures supporting the seating tiers. This engineering feat still impresses up close — walk under the vaulted arches of the lower level to appreciate the construction.

The theatre is in the process of ongoing restoration. Parts of the stage building (scaena) have been reconstructed. Entry included in the site ticket. Allow 30–45 minutes.

The Main Archaeological Zone

Between the theatre and the Apollo temple, Side’s old town streets pass through or alongside extensive remains: the Agora (market), monumental nymphaea (public fountain), Byzantine basilica ruins, and stretches of colonnaded street. Several ancient column bases and carved capitals have been incorporated into modern walls and garden boundaries — something you only notice when you look carefully.

The Side Museum, housed in a 5th-century CE Roman bath building, holds finds from the local excavations including impressive statuary, relief carvings, and coins. Entry included in the site ticket. Small but well-curated.

Ticket pricing: Combined ticket for theatre, Apollo/Athena temple area, museum and main zone: approximately ₺500 as of 2026. Museum Pass Türkiye also accepted.

Aspendos (45km away)

Within easy reach of Side is Aspendos, which contains one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. Built in 155 CE under Marcus Aurelius, it seats approximately 12,000 and is still in use today for the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival (held in June and July). Unlike most Roman theatres where the stage building has collapsed, Aspendos’s scaena frons is nearly complete — three storeys of arched galleries and carved decoration. Entry approximately ₺500 as of 2026.

Aspendos is 45km from Side — 35 minutes by car, or accessible by taxi (approximately ₺300–400 return with waiting time). Many visitors combine it with Side in a single day.

Beaches

Side has two main beaches, one on each side of the promontory.

East beach: The longer and more developed of the two, running north from the old town toward Kumköy. Sandy, with facilities (sun loungers, beach bars, water sports). The northern end at Kumköy has large all-inclusive resort hotels. This is the primary swimming beach.

West beach: Smaller, closer to the Temple of Apollo, with a more atmospheric setting — the ancient ruins visible from the sand. Less developed but narrower. Good for swimming in calm weather.

Manavgat river: 3km inland from Side, the Manavgat River has boat trips upstream to a waterfall — a popular half-day excursion, particularly in summer. The river is navigable for 7km and shaded by pines. Boats leave from Manavgat town; the trip takes approximately 2 hours return. Cost approximately ₺200–300 per person as of 2026.

Getting to Side

From Antalya (75km): Bus from Antalya’s main otogar to Manavgat takes approximately 1.5 hours (₺80–100). From Manavgat, dolmuş minibuses run the final 3km to Side (₺15–20, every 15 minutes). Direct taxis from Antalya to Side cost approximately ₺400–600.

From Antalya Airport (70km): Shared transfer services to Side cost approximately €20–35 per person. Private taxi approximately ₺500–700. There is no public bus from the airport directly to Side.

From Alanya (60km west): Dolmuş from Alanya to Manavgat, then connection to Side. Total approximately 1 hour, ₺60–80.

From Belek (30km west): Taxi approximately ₺200–300; dolmuş via Manavgat approximately 50 minutes.

Where to Stay

Old Town (peninsula)

The old town has small hotels and pensions in converted stone houses — the most atmospheric option. Rooms are often irregularly shaped but well-located for the ruins and restaurants. Prices: approximately ₺600–2,000/night depending on season.

Beach Hotel Side has a central location with a rooftop terrace overlooking the ruins and sea. Villa Oniria is a well-reviewed boutique in the heart of the peninsula. Motel Side is a long-established budget option with straightforward rooms and genuine proximity to the Apollo temple.

Kumköy Beach Resort Strip

Kumköy, 3km north of the old town, has the large all-inclusive resorts typical of the Antalya coast. Sandy beach, good facilities, and shuttle bus connections to the old town (included in most hotel packages).

Euphoria Side and Asteria Side are among the better-reviewed properties here, with extensive pool facilities and private beach sections. Prices: approximately ₺4,000–10,000/night for two, all-inclusive.

Manavgat

The town of Manavgat (3km inland) has standard Turkish city hotels at more modest prices than Side itself — useful if Side accommodation is full in peak season or if you want to be closer to Aspendos.

Eating in Side

The old town has concentrated tourist restaurants along the pedestrian streets and near the harbour. Quality varies sharply — the best approach is to avoid the harbour-front restaurants with the most aggressive touts and look for places on the back streets that fill with local clientele.

Seafood: Side is a fishing port; fresh fish grills are the local speciality. Expect to pay approximately ₺200–400 for a full fish plate with salad.

Ocakbaşı (grill restaurants): Several good meat grill restaurants operate in Manavgat itself (less touristy and better value than old town). The 20-minute bus trip in from Side is worth it for dinner.

Breakfast: Many old-town pensions include breakfast with generous spreads of cheese, olives, tomatoes, eggs and fresh bread. This is a better value option than the old town’s café scene.

What Else to Do Near Side

Manavgat Falls (Şelale): A wide, shallow waterfall on the Manavgat River, 12km north of Side. More impressive for volume than height — the river spreads across a wide boulder-lined drop. A local park surrounds it with tea houses. Entry free; the tea houses and food stalls around it are pleasant. Approximately ₺15–20 return by dolmuş from Manavgat.

Selge (Köprülü Canyon): 40km north of Manavgat, through the Taurus Mountains, Selge is a largely unexcavated Hellenistic-Roman city in a remote mountain setting. Combined with Köprülü Canyon (river rafting available), this is a half-day excursion worth the journey. Tours available from Side hotels (approximately ₺400–600 per person including lunch and rafting).

İvriz rock relief: 2 hours north of Side, near Ereğli, a Luwian (pre-Hittite) rock carving of a king and grain god from approximately 700 BCE. Rarely visited despite being remarkably well-preserved. For independent travellers with a car and an interest in ancient history.

Practical Notes

Entrance fees summary (2026): Combined Side site ticket approximately ₺500; Aspendos approximately ₺500. Museum Pass Türkiye covers both.

Getting around: The old town is completely walkable (10 minutes across). Dolmuşes to Manavgat and Kumköy run frequently. Bike hire is available in the old town for approximately ₺150–200/day.

Peak season: July and August see Side at maximum capacity — resorts full, main streets crowded, ruins hot. May, June, September offer a markedly better experience with similar weather and 30–40% lower accommodation prices.