Side is a peninsula town on the Mediterranean coast, about 75 kilometres east of Antalya. The old town sits at the tip of the peninsula, with Roman ruins running alongside the working harbour streets. Two sandy beaches stretch along either side of the peninsula back toward the resort hotels on the mainland.
It is one of the more complete ancient sites on the Turkish Mediterranean coast in terms of what is still in place, and it is also one of the more accessible: the ruins are in and around a living town rather than an isolated site.
This guide covers the geography, the main sites, what to see and when to visit, and how to plan a day trip or longer stay from Antalya.
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What Makes Side Different
Side was a major port city in the ancient world, and a lot of its infrastructure is still there, mostly in the ground or standing in the streets. The Roman theatre, the agora, the Temple of Apollo at the western tip, and the bath buildings that became the museum are all within a 10-minute walk of each other.
The distinction from other ancient sites in the region is that Side is not a roped-off field of ruins. The harbour is still a working harbour. People live in the old town. The ruins are integrated into the townscape in a way that makes the history feel present rather than managed.
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Ancient Sites of Side
The Theatre
The Roman theatre at the entrance to the old town dates from the 2nd century AD and held an estimated 15,000 spectators. The seating tiers are largely intact. It is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in Anatolia.
It’s also the most convenient site to visit first: it’s directly on the road into the old town and clearly visible from the entrance. Allow 30-45 minutes.
The Temple of Apollo and the Agora
At the far western end of the peninsula, right at the waterline, stand five columns from the Temple of Apollo. The temple dates from the 2nd century AD and the columns were reconstructed from pieces found on site. The view from the temple toward the sea is one of the more recognisable images of the Turkish coast.
Adjacent to the temple is the agora, the ancient market area. The Tyche Temple at the agora entrance is in good condition. The full complex at the peninsula tip takes around one hour, including the walk from the harbour.
Beaches in Side
East Beach
East Beach (Liman Plajı) runs along the north side of the peninsula, starting near the harbour and extending for several kilometres past the resort hotels. The section near the old town is the least developed. The water is calm and the sand is fine, which stands out given that much of the Antalya coast is pebbly.
West Beach
West Beach is on the south side of the peninsula, facing the open sea. It’s slightly more exposed than East Beach, with small waves. Also sandy. A better choice if you want a breeze and some movement in the water.
Both beaches are walkable from the old town. Beach clubs and sunbeds are available along both stretches.
The Old Town
The old town of Side runs along Liman Caddesi, the main street between the theatre and the peninsula tip. The street is lined with restaurants, cafes, and tourist shops. It is a busy tourist street in season. The parallel streets to either side are quieter.
The harbour area on the north side of the old town is where fishing boats and excursion boats are moored. In the early morning, the harbour has a different character from the tourist street: fish is landed, boats are prepared. The evening, after the day visitors have gone, is also a good time to walk the harbour promenade.
The Side Museum is in a restored Roman bath at the centre of the old town. The collection includes statuary and objects from the site and the surrounding region. It takes about 45 minutes and adds context to the ruins.
Manavgat: What to See Nearby
Manavgat is the larger town 3 kilometres north of Side. The Manavgat waterfall, a wide low cascade on the Manavgat River, is a short drive from the town centre. The river bazaar area, with floating market stalls on the water, is a popular stop.
The [Side Manavgat private tour] covers both the Side ruins and Manavgat in a single day with hotel pickup from Antalya, Lara, and Belek. For most visitors from Antalya staying west of Side, this is the most practical way to cover both areas.
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Getting to Side from Antalya
Side is 75 kilometres east of Antalya along the D400 coastal road. By car, the journey takes approximately 75-90 minutes depending on traffic. The road is well-signed.
By bus, regular services depart from Antalya’s eastern terminal (Doğu Garajı) toward Manavgat and Side. The journey takes around 90 minutes, with arrival at the Manavgat bus station and a short minibus connection into Side. The minibus drops you at the car park at the entrance to the old town.
By guided tour from Antalya, the transport and route between sites is handled. See the [Side tours and excursions] page for current options.
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When to Visit
April, May, September, and October give the most comfortable temperatures for walking the ruins and the old town. July and August are the peak months; the old town is at its busiest between 11:00 and 17:00 when day trips from Antalya and Belek arrive.
Early morning (before 09:00) gives the ruins without the crowds. The theatre and the Temple of Apollo are best in the morning light. The evening, after 18:00, when day trippers have left, is the most relaxed time to walk the old town and harbour.
Frequently Asked Questions About Side
Side is known for its Roman ruins integrated into a working harbour town: the 15,000-seat theatre at the entrance to the old town, the Temple of Apollo columns at the western tip of the peninsula, and the museum in a restored Roman bath. It also has two sandy beaches on either side of the peninsula.
75 kilometres east along the D400 coastal road. By car, approximately 75-90 minutes. By bus from Antalya’s eastern terminal, around 90 minutes with a connection at Manavgat.
A half-day (3-4 hours) covers the theatre, Temple of Apollo, and a walk through the old town. A full day adds the museum, beach time, and a visit to Manavgat. Most visitors doing a day trip from Antalya spend 4-6 hours.
Yes. Both beaches in Side are sandy. This distinguishes Side from much of the Antalya coastline, which is predominantly pebbled. East Beach has calm water; West Beach is slightly more exposed with small waves.
Yes. Manavgat is 3 kilometres north of Side. The waterfall and river bazaar add about 2 hours to a Side visit. The Side Manavgat private tour covers both with hotel pickup and return transport.
