Side.

What to do in Side Antalya Türkiye

Side is built on a flat, narrow peninsula where two-thousand-year-old Roman ruins share space with souvenir shops, seafood tavernas, and beach clubs. Days revolve naturally around the sea and the stone: swimming along the western sands, exploring the Roman theatre, and wandering down Liman Caddesi for dinner by the harbour. It suits sunseekers and casual history enthusiasts who like their archaeology comfortably paved and accessible.

24 hours in Side Antalya Türkiye

Start early at the Roman theatre before the tour buses arrive, then explore the museum in the old bathhouse. For lunch, order Antalya-style tahini piyaz nearby. Spend your afternoon on East Beach, then walk out to the Temple of Apollo by the harbour for sunset, finishing with grilled sea bass at an open-air table. Select 1 Day above to see it.

2 days in Side Antalya Türkiye

A second day lets you catch the local dolmuş north to Manavgat. Browse the sprawling weekly market for local cheese and herbs, then take a boat out to the waterfall. Head back to Side for an evening stroll along the western promenade and a dinner of charcoal-grilled lamb shish at a traditional town lokanta. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.

3 days in Side Antalya Türkiye

With three days, venture inland to the mountain ruins of Seleucia (Lyrbe) and the impressive Roman aqueduct arches in the green Manavgat Valley. Spend your final evening taking a sunset gület cruise from Side harbour, enjoying the quiet water once the day-trippers have left.

Side Antalya Türkiye itineraries by interest

• Classical Ruins in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Walk the massive 15,000-seat Roman theatre, colonnaded streets, and the marble Temple of Apollo standing directly on the rocky harbour point.

• Local Seafood in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Order grilled levrek (sea bass) or çipura (sea bream) by weight along Liman Caddesi, served simply with lemon, rocket, and cold rakı.

• Day Trips in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Head 7 km north to Manavgat to see the river waterfall, or drive 45 minutes inland to the canyon and ancient aqueducts of Seleucia.

• Beaches in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Choose between the shallow, packed sands of West Beach and the quieter dunes of East Beach running past ancient ruin walls.

• Archaeology Museums in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Visit the Side Museum, housed inside a restored fifth-century Roman bath complex holding marble sarcophagi, coins, and detailed statues.

• Markets & Produce in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Browse Manavgat's Monday and Thursday bazaar for local pomegranates, dried figs, mountain sage, and fresh sheep's milk tulum cheese.

• Regional Cuisine in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Eat Antalya-style piyaz (white beans dressed in rich sesame tahini and lemon) followed by skewers of spiced shish kofte at local lokantas.

• Boat Excursions in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Board wooden gülets from the old harbour for swimming stops along the turquoise coast or boat trips up the freshwater Manavgat river.

• Coastal Walks in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Follow the pedestrian promenade stretching along West Beach past resort gardens, or trace the ancient city walls out toward the dunes.

• Sunset Viewing in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Gather on the rocky shoreline beneath the columns of the Temple of Apollo as the sun sinks into the Gulf of Antalya and lights up the stone.

• Historical Architecture in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Study the monumental Vespasian Gate, late-antique fortifications, and the grand Byzantine basilica ruins near the water's edge.

• Water Sports in Side Antalya Türkiye

  Find parasailing, jet-ski rentals, and sea kayaking stations stationed all along the sandy, gently sloping shoreline of Kumköy.