Side

Antalya

An old town built among the ruins of an ancient port, 75 km east of Antalya, with long sandy beaches either side lined with all-inclusive resorts.

Best for Families · Budget

Transport: 2/5
Sights: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Quiet: 3/5
Food: 3/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$160/night · 90 min to Kalekapısı

See hotels in Side

Why stay here

Roman ruins in the middle of a resort town
Sandy, shallow beaches for children
Good-value all-inclusive resorts

Who should stay here

Families with young children
Beach holidays with some history
Value-minded all-inclusive stays

Not ideal if…

You want to base yourself in Antalya city
You want a quiet old town in high summer
You want a short airport transfer

What it's like

You enter Side through its ancient city gate and walk past the Roman theatre into lanes of shops and restaurants that end at the Temple of Apollo, standing on the water by the harbour. Few hotels are in the old town itself: most line the sandy beaches to the west (Kumköy, Çolaklı) and east (Sorgun, Titreyengöl).

The sand and shallow water make it one of the best areas for young children, and prices are lower than in Belek. The old town fills with day-trippers in summer, and it's over an hour from Antalya airport. Manavgat next door has a market and river boat trips, and the theatre at Aspendos is half an hour away.

Best streets and sub-areas

Side old town
Shops and restaurants among the ruins, out to the harbour.
Kumköy & Çolaklı
Resort strips on the long beach west of the old town.
Sorgun & Titreyengöl
Resorts set in pine woods east of the old town.

Getting around

Nearest stations: Dolmuş minibuses between the resorts, the old town and Manavgat; hotel transfers to the airport.
To Kalekapısı: About 90 minutes
From Antalya Airport: About 65 minutes: hotel transfer or taxi along the D400 coast road.

Nearby attractions

Temple of Apollo
Columns on the waterfront, best at sunset.
Side ancient theatre
Roman theatre for about 15,000 people at the gate of the old town.
Manavgat Waterfall
Wide, low falls on the river just north of Manavgat.
Aspendos
One of the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere, about 30 minutes away.

Where to eat and drink

Side harbour
Fish restaurants and sunset terraces by the boats.
Old town lanes
Bars and restaurants among the ruins.

Where to stay in Side

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Barut Hemera

Why we like it: All-inclusive resort on the beach a short walk from the old town.

Typical luxury rate in Side: ~$380/night

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