# Things to do in Side: top sights and where to go > Side packs a Roman theatre, the agora and the seafront Temple of Apollo onto one small peninsula, all within a ten-minute walk, with a harbour of cafés and boat trips at its tip. Walk the old town on day one; keep Manavgat Waterfall and a Green Canyon boat trip or Köprülü rafting for day two. Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/side ## Ready itineraries - [One day in Side: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/in-1-day.md): The agora with the round Temple of Tyche, a museum in Roman baths, the colonnaded old streets, a fishing harbour and the sunset behind Apollo's five columns. - [Side with kids: an itinerary for the day](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/with-kids.md): Apollo's columns by the waves, a harbour with boats and cats, old streets with ice cream, then the wide Manavgat waterfall with footbridges and cool spray. ## All 10 places with the YesGo score - [Side Old Town](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-old-town.md): YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Free; theatre and museum extra. Side Old Town is a Roman port city on a peninsula about 7 km from central Manavgat, with a lively resort village built over the ruins… - [Agora of Side](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-agora.md): YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free — view through the fence. The Agora of Side is the ancient city’s 2nd-century AD market square, right behind the Roman theatre and opposite the museum. At its… - [Side Harbour](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-harbour.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free. Side Harbour (Side Limanı) is the small port on the north-west tip of the Side peninsula: wooden excursion boats, fishing boats and a… - [Temple of Apollo](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-temple-of-apollo.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. The Temple of Apollo is five 2nd-century marble columns on the southern tip of Side, right by the sea — the town’s postcard image. It’s… - [Roman Theatre of Side](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-ancient-theatre.md): YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Closed for restoration. The Roman Theatre of Side is a 2nd-century AD theatre for 15,000–20,000 spectators and the biggest building of the ancient city. The key… - [Side Museum](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-museum.md): YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · €5, under 8 free. Side Museum (Side Müzesi) is a small archaeological museum inside a 2nd-century Roman bathhouse next to the ancient theatre: statues… - [Manavgat Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/manavgat-waterfall.md): YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · 50 TL, students 10 TL. Manavgat Waterfall (Manavgat Şelalesi) is a low but wide cascade — about 4 m high — on the Manavgat River, 3 km north of Manavgat town and… - [Selge](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/selge.md): YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free, no ticket office. Selge is a ruined Pisidian city at about 950 m in the Taurus Mountains, inside Köprülü Canyon National Park and right among the houses of… - [Green Canyon](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/green-canyon.md): YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Tour from Side from €27. Green Canyon (Yeşil Kanyon) is a Manavgat River gorge in the Taurus Mountains, flooded by the Oymapınar Dam, 40–50 km by road from Side… - [Köprülü Canyon](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/koprulu-canyon.md): YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free entry; rafting via tours. Köprülü Canyon is a 14-km gorge of the Köprüçay River inside a national park above Manavgat, about 75 km by road from Side. There is no… ## Side travel guide Before you go: the old town and resort villages, beaches, getting there, weather and sea by month, trips nearby. ## Trip essentials - How many days: A week by the sea; the old town takes half a day - When to go: May–June and September–October - Airport: Antalya (AYT), ≈ 65 km — about an hour - Where to stay: The old town for evenings; Çolaklı and Kumköy for the beach - Beaches: Sand and a gentle slope — easy with kids - Transport: Dolmuş minibuses to Manavgat and the villages - Visa: Visa-free or e-Visa, depending on your passport - Money: Turkish lira; tours are often priced in euros - Time zone: UTC+3 all year - Mobile data: eSIM before you fly or a local SIM at the airport ## Key facts - **“Pomegranate”** — the meaning of the name Side in an ancient Anatolian language (source: Wikipedia, “Side, Turkey”) - **7th c. BC** — Greeks from Cyme founded the city on its headland (source: Wikipedia, “Side, Turkey”) - **333 BC** — Side opened its gates to Alexander the Great (source: Wikipedia, “Side, Turkey”) - **≈ 15,000** — spectators fitted in the Roman theatre, one of the largest in Pamphylia (source: Wikipedia, “Theatre of Side”) - **2nd c. AD** — the Temple of Apollo was built by the sea — its columns still stand (source: Wikipedia, “Side, Turkey”) ## Things to do in Side The heart of Side is the old town on its headland: a Roman theatre, the agora, a museum in Roman baths and the Temple of Apollo by the water. Around it are Manavgat Waterfall, the Green Canyon and Köprülü Canyon with ancient Selge. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above; the “Map” button shows them on a map. | Where | What to see | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **Old town** | [Old town](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-old-town), [Theatre](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-ancient-theatre), [Agora](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-agora) | ½ day | | **Seafront** | [Temple of Apollo](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-temple-of-apollo), [Harbour](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-harbour) | sunset | | **Museum** | [Side Museum](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-museum) | 1 h | | **Manavgat** | [Manavgat Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/manavgat-waterfall) | 1–2 h | | **Canyons** | [Green Canyon](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/green-canyon), [Köprülü](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/koprulu-canyon), [Selge](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/selge) | 1 day | Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries, with places in a sensible order, lunch and time for each stop. ## Where to stay in Side Side is an old town on a headland plus resort villages along a sandy coast: Kumköy and Çolaklı to the west, Evrenseki and Titreyengöl to the east. The old town is for walks and restaurants; the villages have big beachfront hotels. | Where | Good for | Keep in mind | | --- | --- | --- | | **Old town** | Couples, walks, restaurants by the ruins | Small beaches, busy by day | | **Kumköy** | Walk to the old town, cafés | Livelier in summer | | **Çolaklı** | Beachfront resorts, families | Dolmuş to the old town | | **Evrenseki, Titreyengöl** | Sand, big resorts, quiet | ≈ 15–20 min to the centre | ## Antalya airport to Side The nearest airport is Antalya (AYT), ≈ 65 km from Side along the coast road. A transfer or taxi is easiest, about an hour. The cheaper way is a bus to Manavgat and a dolmuş to Side. | To | How | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **Side, Kumköy** | Transfer, taxi | ≈ 1 h | | **Çolaklı, Evrenseki** | Transfer | ≈ 50–70 min | | **Via Manavgat** | Bus + dolmuş | ≈ 1.5–2 h | Dolmuş minibuses link Manavgat, the old town and the villages; pay the driver. ## Side weather by month The best time to visit Side for the beach is late May to October, most comfortable in June and September–October. Summer days reach about 34 °C with the sea around 28 °C. In October the sea is about 24 °C, in November about 21 °C. Winters are mild but rainy. - **January in Side**: day ≈ 15°C, night ≈ 6°C, sea ≈ 17°C, rainy days: 10. Mild winter, frequent rain. The old town and museum without crowds. - **February in Side**: day ≈ 16°C, night ≈ 7°C, sea ≈ 17°C, rainy days: 9. Cool and damp. Quiet season: ruins, the harbour and walks. - **March in Side**: day ≈ 18°C, night ≈ 9°C, sea ≈ 17°C, rainy days: 7. First warm days. Good for the Green Canyon and Manavgat Waterfall. - **April in Side**: day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 12°C, sea ≈ 18°C, rainy days: 5. About 22° by day, the sea still cool. A month for walks and tours. - **May in Side** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 16°C, sea ≈ 21°C, rainy days: 3. The beach season starts without the heat. One of the best months. - **June in Side** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 20°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 1. Warm sea and long days. Sand and a gentle slope — great with kids. - **July in Side**: day ≈ 34°C, night ≈ 23°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 0. Hot, about 34°. The old town in the morning or at sunset, the sea by day. - **August in Side**: day ≈ 34°C, night ≈ 23°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 0. The hottest month and the warmest sea. On tours, take water and a hat. - **September in Side** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 19°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 1. The heat eases while the sea stays warm. Good for beach and canyons. - **October in Side** (best time): day ≈ 27°C, night ≈ 15°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 4. About 27° by day, the sea about 24°. Comfortable on the beach and at the ruins. - **November in Side**: day ≈ 21°C, night ≈ 10°C, sea ≈ 21°C, rainy days: 6. Rain begins, about 21° by day. A month for tours. - **December in Side**: day ≈ 17°C, night ≈ 7°C, sea ≈ 18°C, rainy days: 10. Cool and rainy. An empty old town and sunsets at the Temple of Apollo. The climate matches [Antalya](https://yesgo.io/turkey/antalya) and [Alanya](https://yesgo.io/turkey/alanya). The sea is warm from June to October. ## Side beaches Side is known for its sand: long beaches with a gentle slope into the sea, easy with kids. The West and East beaches flank the headland; beyond them are the hotel beaches of Kumköy, Çolaklı and Evrenseki. - **West Beach** — a long sandy stretch from the old town towards Kumköy; sunsets over the sea. - **East Beach** — by the old town near the Temple of Apollo; calmer in the morning. - **The villages** — sand in front of the hotels in Çolaklı, Evrenseki and Titreyengöl. - **In summer** — the sand gets hot: bring beach shoes. ## Side attraction ticket prices The old-town streets, the harbour and the Temple of Apollo are free. You pay for the theatre, the museum, Manavgat Waterfall and the canyons. The theatre and museum are covered by the Museum Pass Mediterranean. - [Side Old Town](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-old-town) — Free; theatre and museum extra - [Agora of Side](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-agora) — Free — view through the fence - [Side Harbour](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-harbour) — Free - [Temple of Apollo](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-temple-of-apollo) — Free - [Roman Theatre of Side](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-ancient-theatre) — Closed for restoration - [Side Museum](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-museum) — €5, under 8 free - [Manavgat Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/manavgat-waterfall) — 50 TL, students 10 TL - [Selge](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/selge) — Free, no ticket office - [Green Canyon](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/green-canyon) — Tour from Side from €27 - [Köprülü Canyon](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/koprulu-canyon) — Free entry; rafting via tours The Museum Pass Mediterranean is valid in state museums and archaeological sites in the region. Boats and canyons are private and need their own ticket. ## Day trips and boat trips from Side From Side it’s easy to visit ancient Aspendos and Perge, the canyons and Antalya, or take a boat up the Manavgat River to the waterfall. Pamukkale and Cappadocia are far — better on an organised tour. - **Aspendos** — a theatre for about 7,000, the best preserved in Turkey; ≈ 40 min. - **Manavgat River boat** — to the waterfall and the market; half a day. - **Green Canyon** — a turquoise reservoir, a boat between cliffs; half a day. - **Köprülü** — rafting and ancient Selge; a full day. - **Antalya** — Kaleiçi and the waterfalls; ≈ 1 h. - **Alanya** — the castle and Cleopatra Beach; ≈ 1 h. ## Tips - The Temple of Apollo is Side’s sunset spot: arrive half an hour early, it gets crowded. - In summer, see the old town in the morning — the ruins heat up and there’s little shade. - Aspendos and Perge combine well into one half-day trip. - Take the Manavgat boat in the first half of the day — many stop running towards evening. ## Questions ### Is Side worth visiting? Yes, especially for families and couples: sandy beaches with a gentle slope, and a Roman theatre and Temple of Apollo you can walk to from the beach. It is calmer than Alanya and closer to the big ancient sites. ### What to do in Side with kids? The sandy West and East beaches, a boat trip on the Manavgat River to the waterfall, the Green Canyon, and an evening walk in the old town. Water parks are a short drive away. ### What to do in Side when it rains? Visit the Side Museum in the Roman baths, take a day trip to Antalya’s museum and Kaleiçi, or visit Manavgat’s market and waterfall between showers. ### What is the weather like in Side in November? About 21 °C by day and 10 °C at night, with the sea around 21 °C. Rain becomes more frequent; some people still swim on sunny days. ### Is Side lively at night? The old town has restaurants and a few bars, lively in summer but relaxed. For clubs, Alanya — about an hour away — is busier. ### How far is Side from Antalya Airport? About 65 km — roughly an hour by transfer or taxi. By bus to Manavgat and a dolmuş to Side, 1.5–2 hours. ### Is Side safe? It is a relaxed resort town and generally safe; take the usual precautions with valuables and use metered taxis. ## Sources - Wikipedia, “Side, Turkey”; “Theatre of Side”; “Aspendos” - Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, muze.gov.tr — Side Museum, theatre, Museum Pass Mediterranean - Antalya Airport — official website Facts checked: 08.11.2026 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.