Side, Turkey Travel Guide: Where to Stay, How to Get There and Tips

Side is one of the easiest places on Türkiye's Mediterranean coast for a first holiday. The old town sits among the ruins of an ancient harbour city, there are sandy beaches on both sides of the peninsula, and many of the region's best-known excursions start from nearby.

Planning a first trip still raises the same questions: which area should you stay in, how do you get there from the airport, and do you need a car? This guide answers them, so you can book your hotel and transfers with confidence. When you're ready to plan your days, our separate guides cover the best places to visit in Side and the best things to do in Side in detail.

Is Side Worth Visiting?

For most travellers, yes. Few resorts let you walk along Roman colonnaded streets in the morning, swim in the afternoon and watch the sunset at an ancient temple in the evening, all without getting in a car.

Side is a good fit if you want:

• A beach holiday with history and culture on your doorstep

• Sandy beaches that slope gently into the sea, which suits families with children

• Easy day trips to rivers, waterfalls, canyons and ancient cities

• Relaxed evenings with dinner by the harbour rather than big clubs

It may not suit you if you're mainly looking for large nightclubs and late-night parties. Side's evenings are lively but relaxed. If nightlife is your priority, Alanya is the busier option further along the coast.

Where Is Side, Turkey?

Side is on Türkiye's southern Mediterranean coast, in the Manavgat district of Antalya province. The historic centre sits on a small peninsula. Around it, the resort stretches along the coast in both directions: west towards Kumköy, Evrenseki and Çolaklı, and east towards Sorgun, Titreyengöl and the town of Manavgat.

This matters when you book a hotel. "Side" in a hotel listing can mean the old town itself or a resort several kilometres away along the coast.

How to Get to Side from Antalya Airport

Most visitors fly into Antalya Airport (AYT), which has direct flights from many European and Middle Eastern cities. From there, Side is about an hour's drive east along the coastal road. The exact time depends on traffic and where your hotel is.

Private Transfer

A pre-booked private transfer is the simplest option, especially if you arrive late at night, travel with children or have a lot of luggage. The driver meets you at arrivals and takes you straight to your hotel. You pay per vehicle, not per person, so it often works out well for families and small groups. You can compare Side airport transfers on Maxtoria.

When booking, have your flight number, arrival time and hotel address ready, and check how much luggage is allowed.

Shared Shuttle or Package-Holiday Transfer

If you've booked a package holiday, a shared coach transfer is often included. It is usually cheaper, but it stops at several hotels on the way, so the journey can take noticeably longer.

Taxi

Taxis are available outside the terminal. They are convenient if you haven't booked anything in advance, but the fare for a trip of this length is usually higher than a pre-booked transfer. Agree the route and check that the meter is running before you set off.

Public Transport

You can reach Side by public transport, but it usually means changing at least once, for example travelling via Antalya's main bus station and then Manavgat, before a local minibus to Side. It is the cheapest option but the slowest, and hard work with suitcases. Check current routes and timetables before you travel, as they change.

Hire Car

A hire car gives you freedom to explore inland areas such as Green Canyon or Köprülü Canyon on your own. You don't need one to enjoy Side itself: the old town is mostly pedestrianised, and most excursions include hotel pickup.

Where to Stay in Side: The Main Areas Compared

Choosing the right area makes a bigger difference in Side than in many other resorts, because the coastline is long and each part has its own character.

Side Old Town

Staying in the old town puts you right among the ruins, restaurants, shops and harbour, with a beach on either side of the peninsula. It is ideal if you want to walk everywhere and enjoy evenings out. Accommodation here tends to be smaller hotels and guesthouses rather than large resorts, and the streets get busy on summer evenings.

Best for: couples, first-time visitors who want to explore on foot, travellers without a car

Kumköy

Kumköy lies just west of the old town, with a long sandy beach, plenty of cafés, shops and restaurants, and a range of hotels. It is close enough to reach the old town easily, while giving you more space and more choice of accommodation.

Best for: families and couples who want a beach base with things to do nearby

Evrenseki and Çolaklı

Further west, the coast is quieter and mostly lined with large resort hotels on wide sandy beaches. Many guests here spend most of their time in the hotel and join excursions for sightseeing. Getting to the old town usually means a taxi, minibus or organised trip.

Best for: families on an all-inclusive holiday, travellers looking for a quiet beach break

Sorgun and Titreyengöl

East of the old town, towards Manavgat, the beaches are backed by pine forest. The area is greener and calmer, with resort hotels and the small lake of Titreyengöl nearby.

Best for: nature lovers, families, travellers who want peace and quiet

Manavgat

Manavgat is a working Turkish town rather than a beach resort. It has everyday shops, local restaurants and a big weekly market, and it is a practical base if you prefer local life and lower prices to being on the beach.

Best for: independent travellers and longer stays

Which Area Should You Choose?

• You want to walk to the ruins and restaurants: Side Old Town

• You want a beach base with shops and cafés nearby: Kumköy

• You want a big all-inclusive resort: Evrenseki, Çolaklı or Sorgun

• You want green surroundings and quiet: Sorgun and Titreyengöl

• You want local life and value: Manavgat

Getting Around Side

• On foot: the old town, the main ruins, the harbour and the beaches on either side of the peninsula can all be explored on foot. The old town is mostly pedestrianised.

• Dolmuş (shared minibus): minibuses connect Side with Manavgat and several coastal areas. They are cheap, run regularly in season and are a useful way to move between resort areas. Carry some small change in Turkish lira.

• Taxi: easy to find in the resort areas and handy for short hops, especially in the evening.

• Tours with hotel pickup: for places such as Green Canyon, Köprülü Canyon or Aspendos, an organised trip with transfers is usually the most practical choice if you don't have a car.

How Many Days Do You Need in Side?

• 1 day: enough to walk the ancient city, the old town and the harbour, and see the sunset at the Temple of Apollo.

• 3 to 4 days: time for the main sights, some beach days and one or two excursions, such as a Manavgat boat trip or a Green Canyon tour.

• A week: room to add Aspendos, rafting or a jeep safari, and still have several relaxed days by the sea.

Best Time to Visit Side

May, June, September and October are warm and generally less crowded, which makes them ideal for combining beach time with sightseeing. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, so plan walks around the ruins for the morning or late afternoon. Spring and late autumn are cooler and comfortable for ancient sites and nature trips, although the sea is cooler too. For a month-by-month overview, see our guide to the best time to visit Antalya.

What to See and Do in Side: The Short Version

You'll find full details in our dedicated guides, but these are the highlights most first-time visitors plan around:

• The ancient city of Side: the colonnaded street, the agoras, the Roman theatre and Side Museum

• The Temple of Apollo at the tip of the peninsula, especially at sunset

• The beaches on either side of the old town and along the coast

• Manavgat Waterfall and the Manavgat River, a short drive away

• Day trips to Green Canyon, Köprülü Canyon and the Roman theatre of Aspendos

For a place-by-place guide with suggested visiting times, read Best Places to Visit in Side. For excursions and activities, see Things to Do in Side and our Manavgat boat tour guide, or browse tours and activities in Side.

Money, Language and Everyday Practicalities

• Currency: the Turkish lira. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops, but carry some cash for minibuses, markets and small cafés.

• Paying by card: if a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choosing Turkish lira usually gives a better rate.

• Language: Turkish is the local language. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops in the resort areas, and German and Russian are common too.

• Drinking water: most visitors drink bottled water, which is sold everywhere.

• Beaches: public beach and sunbeds run by hotels or businesses often sit side by side. Ask before using a sunbed, as many are paid.

• Tickets and opening hours: the museum, the theatre and some archaeological areas charge admission, and opening hours can change with the season. Check on the day rather than relying on a fixed figure.

Tips for Your First Trip to Side

• Check exactly where your hotel is before booking. A "Side" address can be several kilometres from the old town.

• Book your airport transfer in advance if you land late or travel with children.

• Explore the ruins early or late. There is little shade on the ancient sites at midday in summer.

• Wear comfortable shoes. Marble paving and theatre steps can be uneven and slippery.

• Keep one evening free for the old town, with a walk around the harbour and dinner by the sea.

• Book popular excursions ahead in peak season, and check what is included, such as lunch, transfers and entrance fees.

• Respect the sites: don't climb on fragile ruins, and follow the signs around the theatre and temples.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Side from Antalya Airport?

Side is about an hour's drive east of Antalya Airport, depending on traffic and the location of your hotel.

What is the best area to stay in Side?

For walking to the ruins, restaurants and harbour, stay in Side Old Town. For a beach base with more choice of hotels, Kumköy is popular. For large all-inclusive resorts, look at Evrenseki, Çolaklı or Sorgun.

Do you need a car in Side?

No. The old town and nearby beaches are walkable, minibuses and taxis cover the resort areas, and most excursions include hotel pickup. A car is only useful if you want to explore inland on your own.

Is Side good for families?

Yes. The beaches are sandy with a gentle slope into the sea, distances are short, and there are many family-friendly excursions and resort hotels.

How many days should you spend in Side?

Three to four days is enough for the main sights, some beach time and one or two excursions. With a week you can explore the wider area at a relaxed pace.

Is Side or Alanya better?

Side is smaller and more relaxed, with ancient ruins in the town itself. Alanya is bigger and busier, with more nightlife. Families and couples looking for a calmer holiday often prefer Side.

Can you visit the ancient city of Side for free?

Many parts of the ancient city, including the colonnaded street and the old town, can be seen while walking around. The museum, the theatre and some controlled areas charge admission.

Plan Your First Side Holiday

Side rewards a little planning. Choose the area that fits your travel style, sort out your airport transfer before you land, and leave time for both the beach and the old town. After that, the rest of the holiday is easy.

When you're ready, you can compare tours and experiences in Side on Maxtoria, from boat trips and jeep safaris to airport transfers.