Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Side

A Blend of Ancient Ruins & Beaches

Asia, Europe and Turkey each share borders with the other through this unique town where cultures cross paths daily. The area acts as a bridge between continents, making it easy to travel from one region to another by land or sea. Here, you can experience different languages spoken side by side on busy streets and see food traditions merge in local markets. This place is known for its history of trade routes that connected distant lands, shaping daily life and community identity through centuries of exchange.

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Town in Turkey

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	7

Read details

4/5

In tourist areas, most people speak English fairly well. However, in less touristy spots, knowledge of Turkish or basic German might be useful, as not everyone speaks English fluently.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Side Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Great for beach holidays and ancient ruins. Relax on long sandy beaches, swim in warm Mediterranean waters and explore Roman temples, theaters and historic old town streets.

Place score

6.7

Best at:

Sea

Beaches

Walkable

Historic sites

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

💻 9

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Turkey – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Turkish Lira (TRY) £1 ≈ TRY 66.29
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment is common in urban areas, but smaller vendors in rural regions may only accept cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary but not mandatory in Turkey. In restaurants, leaving 5-10% is typical. Tips for taxi drivers, hotel staff, and guides are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not widely accepted, though it is allowed in some urban areas and tourist zones.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public areas and transport, with designated outdoor smoking zones available.

Republic Day (October)	Expect parades and national celebrations.
Eid al-Fitr (Varies)	Closures and family gatherings are common.
Eid al-Adha (Varies)	Similar closures and festive activities across the country.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	BiTaksi, Uber
Other:	Turkey offers a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Bargaining is common in markets, and modest dress is appreciated in religious sites.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Side, Turkey

⛈️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌦️

Nov

⛈️

Dec

High season:	May - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Many hotels, restaurants and shops close November to March, main season May to October

Beach and swimming season roughly May to October, sightseeing at Side's ancient ruins best April to May and October

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, some restaurants closed until sunset, though tourist areas stay mostly open

Don't miss

🌅 Explore the ancient Temple of Apollo at sunset
🏛️ Climb to the top of the Roman Theater for panoramic views
🏖️ Relax and sunbathe on Side's popular East Beach
🚶‍♂️ Wander through the bustling Side Old Town and harbor
🏺 Visit the Side Museum housed in a restored Roman bathhouse

You've been here?

Why travel to Side?

Side is a destination that appeals to both history buffs and beach lovers. The ancient ruins, including a stunning amphitheater and the Temple of Apollo, provide an immersive glimpse into the past. But don’t just come for the history – the pristine beaches and vibrant local culture offer a perfect escape. Just be cautious during peak tourist seasons as the town can get crowded and some areas may feel overly commercialized.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Roman Baths
2 Agora
3 Side Müzesi
4 Monument of Vespasianus

🎡Places for activities

1 Side Silence Diving Center

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Manavgat Waterfall
2 Köprülü Canyon
3 Oymapinar Dam
4 Selge Hotel
5 Bosphorus Sorgun Beach Bar
6 Side Crown Palace Beach

🛍️Shopping

1 Market
2 Mall of Side

🎈Events

Side Culture & Art Festival
Side Music Festival
Traditional Turkish Folk Festival
Manavgat River Festival
Side International Theater Festival
Side Photography Exhibition
Side Sports Festival
Beach Volleyball Championship
Side Food Festival
Spring Blossom Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Ancient ruins and beaches combine for a compact historical coastal town.
Best to base in Side for day trips to Aspendos, Manavgat and Kursunlu.
Agree on taxi fares or use licensed tour operators to avoid scams, especially for excursions.
Evening dining along the harbor offers authentic Mekan kebap and fresh seafood; visit early for seats by the water.

How to travel to Side

Side is about an hour's drive from Antalya, which is the nearest major airport. You can take a bus or shuttle from Antalya Airport to Side or hire a private taxi. If traveling by bus from other parts of Turkey, the bus station in Side is well-connected. The nearest major ports are in Antalya, offering cruise access.

Access summary

From Antalya Airport (AYT): Shuttle, bus or taxi, usually about 1–1.5 hours.
From Antalya city: Intercity bus or resort transfer along coast, around 1–1.5 hours.
From Gazipaşa Airport (GZP): Longer coastal transfer via Alanya region, typically 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Side

Side offers a wide range of accommodations, from all-inclusive resorts along the beach to charming boutique hotels in the Old Town. The area is known for its affordable and mid-range hotels, but there are also a few luxury resorts for those looking for extra comfort.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Barut Hemera - Ultra All Inclusive

9.4

Kamelya Selin Hotel - All Inclusive

9.1

Acanthus Cennet Barut Collection - Ultra All Inclusive

9.5

Arum Barut Collection - Ultra All Inclusive

Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection

8.6

Labranda Excelsior Side Hotel - All Inclusive

8.7

6 Rooms By Zula

9.4

Akra Sorgun Tui Blue Sensatori

9.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Side

In Side, walking is the best way to explore the historic sites and town center. Public buses and dolmuş (shared minivans) are common for traveling to nearby areas, like Manavgat. Taxis are also readily available, but it's advisable to use official services. If you’re heading to the beach, many hotels offer shuttle services.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-63 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 63% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-62 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to TRY) is 62% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Alanya, Turkey - 60 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£41	£89	£223
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£60	£135
🍝 Food per day	£12	£24	£72
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£4	£16

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£4.10
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.90
☕ Cappuccino	£1.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£10
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£2.10
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£10.50
🤧 Cold medication	£1.15
💇 Basic haircut	£4.80

Safety information overview

General safety

Side is generally safe for tourists, with low crime rates. Like any tourist spot, keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas or around markets. Be cautious when swimming or boating, as currents can be strong.

Health & Medical

There are several pharmacies and medical centers in Side and more extensive hospitals are located in nearby Antalya. Make sure to have travel insurance, as medical services in remote areas can be limited.

Accessibility

Side is relatively accessible, with most areas within walking distance. However, the ancient sites and beaches may not be fully wheelchair accessible, so check in advance if you have mobility needs.

Tap water

Tap water in Side is safe for cleaning and brushing teeth, but it’s recommended to drink bottled water to avoid potential stomach issues. Bottled water is easily available throughout the town.