One day in Side: an itinerary in the best order
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 4 of 5 free; paid: Side Museum
- Duration
- 5 h 50 min · 09:30–15:20
- Start and finish
- Agora of Side → Temple of Apollo
- On foot
- ≈ 20 min in total
- Transport
- none — all on foot
- Lunch
- around 12:54
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- Spring and autumn; the Temple of Apollo at sunset. In summer start early: the peninsula has little shade.
The plan, stop by stop
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Side09:30–15:20 · 5 places · 5 h 50 min
Agora of Side
· 30 min · Free
- 3 min on foot
Side Museum
· 45 min · €5, under 8 free
- 6 min on foot
Side Old Town
· 2 h · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 5 min on foot
Side Harbour
· 45 min · Free
- 6 min on foot
Temple of Apollo
· 30 min · Free
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
4 of 5 are free; 1 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Agora of Side | 45 | 30 min | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Side Museum | 39 | 45 min | €5, under 8 free |
| 3 | Side Old Town | 54 | 2 h | Free |
| 4 | Side Harbour | 44 | 45 min | Free |
| 5 | Temple of Apollo | 44 | 30 min | Free |
| Total | 4 h 30 min | 4 of 5 free |
Tips for each stop
- 1
Agora of Side. A 2nd-century market square with the round Temple of Tyche. You cannot go inside — seen through the fence, 15–30 minutes.
- 2
Side Museum. A museum in the Roman baths opposite the agora: statues and sarcophagi from the digs, a courtyard of capitals. €5, under-8s free.
- 3
Side Old Town. The main walk: from the gate along streets with columns, shops and bougainvillea down to the sea. About two hours at an easy pace.
- 4
Side Harbour. A small harbour with boats and fish restaurants — a place for lunch and to pick a boat trip.
- 5
Temple of Apollo. Five marble columns on the cape — the symbol of Side. Since May 2026 they are under restoration scaffolding, but this is still the best sunset spot.
Who this route is for
- Staying in Side or Manavgat
- On your own, with no tour or transport
- Fans of ancient sites and sunsets
- The theatre of Side is closed for restoration
- Canyons and waterfalls are a separate trip out of town
Spring and autumn; the Temple of Apollo at sunset. In summer start early: the peninsula has little shade.
What to see in Side in one day
All of ancient Side stands on a small peninsula, so the route is on foot. From the agora with the Temple of Tyche and the museum in the Roman baths, along the old-town streets to the harbour, and at sunset to the Temple of Apollo.
Almost everything is free: the streets, the gate and the colonnade, and the agora is visible through the fence. The museum is €5. The ancient theatre has been closed for restoration since November 2024; its façade is visible from the road.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
How to get to the old town of Side
Dolmuş minibuses run from Manavgat and the coastal hotels to the stop by the ancient gate; from Kumköy and Kolaklı hotels you can often walk along the seafront. The peninsula itself is almost car-free.
Where to have lunch
Lunch in the plan is at the harbour: small fish restaurants by the water. The lanes further into the peninsula are cheaper than the seafront.
Sunset at the Temple of Apollo
The columns of the Temple of Apollo stand right by the water on the southern cape, and the sun sets behind them. Restoration is under way: the columns are in scaffolding and you cannot get close, but the view from the promenade still works. Completion is expected by summer 2027.
What else to see near Side
Manavgat Waterfall is a 20-minute drive. Green Canyon is a day on a boat on a mountain reservoir. Köprülü Canyon is a full day of rafting.
How to do it right
- The only paid stop is the Side Museum, €5; the streets, the harbour and the Temple of Apollo are free.
- The theatre of Side is closed for restoration — do not plan time for it.
- In summer the peninsula has little shade — walk in the morning and evening.
- Haggling is normal in the shops on the way to the harbour.
- Turkey uses the lira (TRY). Cards work almost everywhere; carry some cash for dolmuş minibuses, boats and small cafés. Museum tickets for foreigners are priced in euros and paid by card.
Questions
What to do in Side in one day?
The agora with the Temple of Tyche, the Side Museum, the old-town streets, the harbour and sunset at the Temple of Apollo.
Is Side worth visiting?
Yes: it is a Roman city on a peninsula, walkable in a day, with a harbour and sunsets behind ancient columns.
What are the free things to do in Side?
The old-town streets, the agora through the fence, the harbour and the Temple of Apollo; only the museum is paid.
How much is the Side Museum?
€5; children under 8 are free.
Is the theatre of Side open?
No, it has been closed for restoration since November 2024.
Can I get close to the Temple of Apollo?
Not while it is under restoration; the view from the promenade is still good.
How do I get to the old town?
By dolmuş from Manavgat or the coastal hotels, or on foot along the seafront from Kumköy and Kolaklı.
Is it good with kids?
Yes; there is also a separate 'Side with kids' itinerary with Manavgat Waterfall.
What else is there near Side?
Manavgat Waterfall, Green Canyon and Köprülü Canyon.
What currency is used?
Turkey uses the lira (TRY). Cards work almost everywhere; carry some cash for dolmuş minibuses, boats and small cafés. Museum tickets for foreigners are priced in euros and paid by card.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism: museum and archaeological site hours and tickets
- Wikipedia: Side (Turkey), Temple of Apollo (Side)
