Last updated: August 2026
Side holidays deliver one of the most distinctive resort experiences on the entire Turkish Mediterranean Coast.
Built around an ancient Greek and Roman city on a small peninsula jutting into the sea, Side combines 2 sandy beaches, dramatic seafront ruins and a genuinely atmospheric old town in a package that is hard to match anywhere in Turkey.
The Temple of Apollo — its Corinthian columns silhouetted against the Mediterranean at sunset — is one of the most photographed views in the country. Side holidays suit couples who want beauty and culture alongside the beach, families looking for excellent sandy swimming, and anyone who appreciates genuine historic atmosphere.
Side is 60km east of Antalya on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast, making Antalya Airport the logical gateway. Transfers take approximately 60–75 minutes by road.
Side holidays stand out from the typical Turkish Mediterranean Coast resort experience. Where most resorts are essentially modern beach towns with ancient history nearby, Side is an ancient city that has become a resort — a very different and more atmospheric proposition.
The ruins of Roman Side are everywhere — integrated into the streets, visible around corners, part of the daily landscape. Walking to the beach means passing a monumental Roman gateway. Walking to dinner means passing a 15,000-seat theatre.
The two beaches are both sandy, warm and well-equipped. East Beach is calm and sheltered — perfect for families with young children. West Beach is slightly livelier with more watersports activity.
Side holidays offer excellent value for money. The resort sits in the mid-range of Turkish Mediterranean prices — more atmospheric and interesting than Lara Beach, more affordable than Kalkan, more relaxed than central Antalya.
The pace of Side holidays is gentle. There is no major nightclub strip. Evenings revolve around good food, cold drinks and watching the sun drop behind the Temple of Apollo columns — one of the finest natural spectacles on the coast.
Side was founded as a Greek colony in the 7th century BC and grew into a major trading city under Roman rule. At its peak, the city had a population of around 60,000 people and was one of the most important ports on the eastern Mediterranean.
The Roman theatre is the largest in Anatolia, with tiered seating for 15,000 spectators. Unlike Aspendos, the Side theatre sits right inside the resort town, making it one of the most accessible ancient monuments on the Turkish coast.
The colonnaded main street that once ran through the heart of Roman Side is still traceable today. Carved column bases and marble fragments line the route between the main gate and the waterfront temples.
The Side Museum, housed in a well-restored Roman bath complex in the centre of town, displays a remarkable collection of sculptures, sarcophagi and carved marble pieces found during excavations. Entrance is inexpensive and the collection is genuinely impressive.
One of the great advantages of Side holidays is the choice of two completely different beaches within walking distance of the town centre.
East Beach (Dogu Plaj) lies along the calmer, more sheltered side of the peninsula. The water is shallow and warm, making it ideal for families with young children. The beach stretches for several kilometres east of the town and has good facilities including sunbeds, parasols and beach cafes.
West Beach (Bati Plaj) faces the open sea to the west of the peninsula. The water is slightly deeper and the surf marginally stronger, which makes it popular for watersports including jet ski and parasailing. The beach is wider here and has a more active, lively atmosphere.
Both beaches are sandy — a relative rarity on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast, where many beaches are pebble or shingle. The sand is pale and fine, and the sea colour is a vivid turquoise that photographs exceptionally well.
The Temple of Apollo is the defining image of Side holidays. Five Corinthian columns at the southern tip of the peninsula have stood since the 2nd century AD, framing views of the open Mediterranean and the sunsets that draw visitors evening after evening.
The temple was originally dedicated to Apollo, god of the sun, and it was built alongside a smaller Temple of Athena on the same promontory. Together they formed an extraordinary seafront religious complex that must have been visible for miles at sea.
The site is freely accessible and is at its most atmospheric in the early morning before the day-trippers arrive, or in the hour before sunset when the light turns the columns gold.
Bring a camera — the Temple of Apollo at sunset is genuinely one of the finest sights in Turkey.
The surrounding area contains additional carved remains, fallen column drums and inscribed blocks that give a sense of how large and imposing the original complex was. A short walk along the coast path reveals more ruins scattered along the clifftop.
Side holidays revolve around the old town peninsula in the evenings. The narrow streets are lined with restaurants, carpet shops, leather goods stores and jewellery outlets that stay open until late in summer.
The restaurant scene is strong. Fresh fish is excellent here — caught locally and simply prepared with olive oil and lemon. The mezze culture is well represented, and a good dinner in Side is genuinely enjoyable rather than merely functional.
Side does not have a major nightlife strip. Bars are relaxed and atmospheric rather than loud. The evening atmosphere is pleasant, unhurried and well suited to couples and families alike.
The main pedestrianised street through the old town has good shopping for Turkish ceramics, textiles and souvenirs. Prices are negotiable at most shops and the quality of goods is generally good by Turkish resort standards.
Side holidays provide an excellent base for exploring the wider Turkish Mediterranean Coast. Several outstanding day trip options are within easy reach.
Manavgat Waterfall and River, 15km inland, is one of the most popular excursions from Side. The wide river cascades over broad rocky shelves to form a series of impressive waterfalls.
Boat trips along the Manavgat River through reed-fringed banks and small villages are a pleasant and unhurried way to spend a morning.
Aspendos Theatre, 30km west, is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world and makes an excellent half-day excursion. The scale and quality of preservation are genuinely extraordinary.
Antalya, 60km west, offers a full day of city sightseeing, museum visits, old town exploration and beach options. The drive along the coast road passes several smaller ancient sites along the way.
The Sapadere Canyon, a cool river gorge, is a popular alternative for those visiting in the height of summer. Walking knee-deep through crystal-clear mountain water provides welcome relief from the August heat.
Side holidays are well suited to families. East Beach is one of the calmest and most family-friendly on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast, with warm shallow water that is safe for young children throughout the summer.
The ancient ruins provide genuine educational interest for older children and teenagers. A Roman theatre, a temple complex and a real ancient city are far more engaging than any textbook account of the period.
The Side Museum is child-friendly with well-displayed artefacts and reasonable entrance fees. The Manavgat Waterfall excursion, with its river boat trips and picnic areas, is consistently popular with families.
Hotels in and around Side range from small family-run pensions in the old town to large resort complexes a short distance along the coast. Self-catering apartments are widely available for families wanting flexibility.
Side holidays are straightforward to plan and enjoy. The resort is compact enough to walk everywhere within the old town peninsula. The main hotels are either within the historic centre or a short dolmus ride along the coast in either direction.
Currency exchange is available throughout the town at good rates. Turkish Lira is the best currency to use for daily spending. Most restaurants, hotels and shops also accept euros and pounds, though the exchange rate is better at exchange offices than at commercial outlets.
The local dolmus service connects Side town with the outlying hotel areas along the coast and runs throughout the day and evening until around midnight. Taxis are also readily available and inexpensive for short journeys. For day trips to Aspendos, Manavgat and Antalya, organised excursions are the most convenient option.
Side holidays benefit from an excellent range of restaurants at all price points. The old town streets have dozens of options: fish restaurants by the water, Turkish kebab houses, pizza and pasta cafes and international menus catering to the resort’s mixed nationality visitor base.
An evening walk to the Temple of Apollo for the sunset followed by dinner in the old town is the quintessential Side holiday evening.
Side is served by Antalya Airport (AYT), approximately 60km to the west. Transfer time by road is 60–75 minutes. The airport has direct flights from most UK airports throughout the summer season, with a flight time of approximately four hours.
Shared transfers and private taxi services run between Antalya Airport and Side throughout the day. Hiring a car at the airport gives flexibility for day trips to Manavgat, Aspendos and Antalya city.
The Turkish Mediterranean Coast bus network (dolmus) connects Side to Manavgat town, from where onward buses run west to Antalya and east along the coast. For most visitors, a combination of organised excursions and occasional taxis covers all transport needs.
| Airport | Antalya (AYT) — approx 60km, 60–75 mins transfer |
| Flight time from UK | Approx 4 hours |
| Time zone | GMT+3 (no daylight saving) |
| Currency | Turkish Lira; euros and pounds accepted in resort |
| Best months | May–October; Jul–Aug peak season |
| Sea temperature | 22°C Jun · 27°C Aug · 25°C Sep |
| Visa | Turkish e-Visa required — apply online before travel |
| Key attraction | Temple of Apollo, Roman theatre, 2 sandy beaches |
Search4Sun works with leading UK tour operators to find the best value Side holidays. Browse departures from local airports across the UK. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected. For last-minute Side holiday deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates.
Side is built on and around an actual ancient city, giving it a unique atmosphere that most modern Turkish resorts lack. The ruins, temples and Roman streets are part of the everyday landscape rather than a site you visit separately.
The combination of genuinely ancient surroundings with excellent sandy beaches is rare anywhere in the Mediterranean.
Yes. Both East Beach and West Beach are sandy, which is relatively unusual on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast.
The sand is pale and fine, the sea is turquoise and clear, and both beaches are well-equipped with sunbeds and facilities. East Beach is calmer and better for families; West Beach is slightly more active.
Side is approximately 60km east of Antalya Airport (AYT), with a transfer time of 60–75 minutes by road. Direct transfers by shared shuttle or private taxi are readily available. The drive along the coast road passes the Aspendos turning and several smaller ancient sites.
Side is one of the best resorts on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast for couples. The romantic atmosphere of the ancient town, the beautiful sunsets at the Temple of Apollo, the excellent restaurant scene and the relaxed pace all make it particularly well suited to couples and honeymooners.
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