Side city in Turkey. The ancient city of Side is the most beautiful place in Turkey. Where is Side located?

One of the busiest resorts in southern Turkey, Side, is located on a peninsula 75 km from Antalya. This city is an open-air museum and is the main archaeological site of Turkey. In Side there are hotels for every taste and budget: from comfortable high-level complexes to modest but cozy apart-hotels.

Not far from the old town of Side there are 2 main beaches: western and eastern. If you come on holiday to Side with children, then the western beach is more suitable for you, since the sea in this place is shallow with a convenient descent. Here you can go sailing, diving and fishing, water skiing, and go on boat excursions.

If you prefer peace and quiet, then we recommend using Turtle Beach, which is also considered one of the most beautiful in the entire Mediterranean.

Tours in Side will appeal to lovers of archeology and historical sights. The territory of the archaeological complex can be accessed through the main gate of the Hellenistic period, from which there is a street with a colonnade - along it you can walk to the public baths, where the museum is currently located. Behind the baths you will see the ruins of the Temple of Tyche and Fortuna (2nd century BC). In its center there is a round room with twelve columns, which was later used by pirates for the slave trade.

Here you can also see the remains of a theater that accommodated up to 20 thousand spectators, where gladiator fights took place, and a monumental gate dating back to the 2nd century.

Not far from the theater is the Roman Temple of Dionysus, the entrance to which is decorated with a restored fountain. On the left are the remains of a Byzantine basilica. Also in Side there are ancient remains of three temples, an aqueduct and a fountain, which was a grotto with a spring, which was dedicated to beautiful nymphs.

To the right of the theater is a museum with tombs, columns, pedestals and various architectural details dating from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. This museum is truly unique; its collection of exhibits is housed in ancient Roman baths.

Vacation packages to Side are also popular among young people. This resort has many excellent discos, open all night long until dawn. Among the most famous are the Oxyde discotheque, where you can not only dance, but also swim in the pool, as well as the Nympheon with a pleasant atmosphere.

Location

Side is located 68 kilometers east of Antalya.

Entertainment

Fish restaurants, nightclubs, entertainment centers, souvenir shops and retail shops will warmly welcome resort guests. Modern comfortable hotels, discos and cafes located among the ancient columns have not diminished the charm of the city.

Excursions

Side is a city in which lovers of antiquity will find many interesting monuments that have survived despite a number of earthquakes. During your walk, be sure to explore the agora - a market where the slave trade once flourished. Directly behind it is an amphitheater for 16 thousand spectators, where the inhabitants of ancient Side once enjoyed the spectacles. Other very interesting monuments are the temple of the goddess Fortuna and the statue of Vespasian, one of the "Twelve Caesars" described by Suetonius. It is also worth seeing the Apollo Theater, located near the sea, a fountain and a necropolis. The museum, housed in Roman-era baths, showcases one of Turkey's most interesting archaeological collections. In addition to visiting historical monuments, Side offers tourists the entire range of excursions typical of the Anatolian Mediterranean coast. This includes visiting ancient cities, and trips to Pamukkale, the eighth wonder of the world, and jeep safari in the surrounding mountains, and rafting along a mountain river. Do not deny yourself the pleasure of participating in one or more routes - wonderful memories of an active holiday in Turkey will remain with you forever. And those who like to explore the surrounding area on their own can do so by renting a car from a rental agency.

Side is a seaside resort, a suburb of Turkish Manavgat with a population of about 80 thousand inhabitants. It is located 76 kilometers from the administrative center of its province - Antalya along the coast towards Alanya.

The name of the settlement was given by the polis of the same name, founded by the ancient Greeks. The ruins of ancient sites attract tourists and archaeologists here. On a small patch, traces of ancient civilization have been preserved in the form of a well-preserved amphitheater, market square, pagan sanctuaries and other buildings.

On the map of Turkey

The city is small in size, but thanks to its hotels and beaches it is well known in Europe. At least in the eastern one. It has also become famous for its original seafood cuisine: local chefs love to experiment with the menu, creating original fish dishes.

This is where the city is located if you look at a map of the country.

Weather: air and water temperature

Planning a trip? That way!

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There is no winter in the usual Russian sense; autumn gradually turns into spring. It's rainy at this time. A comfortable off-season is best suited for excursions: December and December, when the air temperature during the day is +16°C, at night – 6-7°C; and the water temperature is 18-19°C. You can't swim yet, but it's not too cold anymore.

Airport and transport

The nearest airport is Antalya. Air service connects it with the cities of the Urals, Western Siberia, the Don, Kuban, not to mention St. Petersburg and Moscow.

The journey from the airport takes about an hour. For arrivals there are dolmushi minibuses and taxis (payment at the entrance). Dolmushi is on line from early morning until night; There are enough routes, so getting from the center to any point in the surrounding area is relatively easy.

There is a municipal taxi of a classic yellow color with checkered roofs, which is usually ordered at the hotel reception. Taxi prices are fixed, cars have a meter. However, after landing, it doesn’t hurt to remind the driver that it must be turned on.

Some hotels have a bicycle rental office. You can get to the nearest settlements:

• Colakli is famous for its safe children's beaches.
• Kizilagach is a bazaar with a rich assortment of souvenirs and family hotels.
• Kumka is a youth party.

What beaches and sea

The resort area stretches for 20 miles around a neat cape, the center of local civilization. It contains the main attractions. Those who like to combine excursion and sea holidays are better off settling here. And for those who want an economy format, it is better to choose housing in the old center.

• To the west of the cape, the tourism sector has settled. Most of the area is occupied by the beach. Nearby there are hotels with tourist complexes on the first coastline.
• In the east the picture is the same. The beach here is less crowded, so this corner is chosen by supporters of a quiet vacation.

The beaches here are luxurious. This also applies to two central city beaches operating under the Blue Flag. They lie next to each other, but are different.

The first one is considered safe. The depth there is shallow, so you won’t be able to push through the hot water. Physical education and gaming services are provided centrally. Training in sailing, water skiing, diving and fishing is offered. An interesting form of leisure activity is boat excursions. The coolest entertainment here is parasailing.

The second one, with rare sandbanks at depth, is suitable for those who like to dive in open spaces.

There is a nuance with the beaches. Some attractive coastal spots are privately owned. If the shore belongs to a hotel, then only its guests are allowed there. Sometimes the beach area is rented by the nearest bar. In this case, you should make a reservation to enjoy your holiday in peace.

Diving

The underwater world of Turkey is inferior in beauty to the magical Red Sea, but picturesque coral reefs are hidden just near Side. The local depths are home to colorful fish, starfish, skates, stingrays and turtles.

You can dive from the age of 10. There are simpler programs, with diving near the shore. And there are serious tours with boat trips to remote harbors and bays. Experienced amateurs are allowed to dive at night, and supporters of river diving are allowed to explore sunken objects. The dive will cost 150-300 Turkish liras, and the training course will cost 500-1000 liras.

Sights and excursions

Side in particular, and the province of Antalya in general, is the best option for combining relaxation with extensive excursion support. You will find yourself in an open-air museum that will be the envy of other European capitals. Some historical objects are more than 2 thousand years old. What to see nearby on your own?

The first Greek colony in Side arose in the 7th century BC. e.

First of all, go to the old center. Previously, there was continuous construction here. Now, two thousand years and several earthquakes later, majestic ruins remain. We recommend finding the following locations among them:

• Agora - the main city square;
• Pre-modern public toilet;
• Ruins of the sanctuary of the goddess Tyukhe;
• The Basilica is the oldest stone structure in Turkey. It looks monumental even in a dilapidated state. The architectural ensemble united with the temple is the chapel and the bishop's palace, which appeared later.
• Fragments of ancient walls.
• Columns with stucco, belonging to the Temple of Apollo;
• The old amphitheater, where performances and gladiator battles took place.
• II century, which supplied water to the city from the Manavgat River. Its length was 30 kilometers.

And this is what the ancient city looked like almost two thousand years ago.

Vacation with children

There are as many family hotels in Side as in Kemer. In such hotels there is a real children's kingdom. With animators, swimming pools and play areas. It is worth noting that the town is inferior to Alanya and Antalya in this indicator.

The spectacular Green Canyon is located a dozen kilometers from the city, and children and their parents will enjoy a boat ride on the lake. The former will then frolic on the sports ground, ride on the carousel swings, and the latter will take part in a meaningful picnic or swim in the waters of the lake.

You will find the water park half an hour’s drive from Managavt towards Alanya. It is called categorically, without pretense of originality - Waterplanet. Its buildings were located directly by the sea. It is considered one of the largest water parks in the Mediterranean. There are 16 adult rides and 8 children's slides.

Shopping

It is better to choose another city for shopping. There are few retail outlets here, the range is small, and the prices are inadequate. In Manavgat, prices are 2-3 times lower. If you decide to shop here, then go to the embankment, Ataturk Boulevard or Column Street. You will see elongated tent cities filled with tourist souvenirs. Oriental trinkets are bought here: rugs, hookahs, talismans, tea, silk and spices.

The word Side means "pomegranate" in the Anatolian dialect.

There are shopping centers with a traditional profile for Asia Minor - jewelry, leather and fur. True, in the summer, purchasing a fur coat can be even more expensive than in both capitals. It is profitable to buy in autumn and spring, when there are sales due to lack of consumer demand. There are a number of respectable boutiques, but the prices are prohibitive. But the quality of the products and the level of service correspond to them.

Some retailers even transport customers from the hotel to the store and back for free. It is useless to bargain with sellers; you can only bargain with the owner, although he will not make significant concessions.

Real prices

Establishments

Night clubs:

• Light House;
• Karma;
• The Castle.

Clubs are open from 10 pm to 3-4 am. Entrance fee is $10-15. Drinks from $5.

Bars:

• Surf Bar Restaurant;
• Kayı's Bar & Restaurant;
• Old Town Pub & Bistro.

The establishments are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Decent kitchen. Alcohol from $5.

• Be sure to wear a Panama hat and apply sunscreen - the sun is not to be trifled with!
• Visit the municipal museum in a reconstructed Roman baths from the 5th-6th centuries.
• Don't miss the annual Aspendos World Music Festival (late summer - early autumn).
• Visit the picturesque Manavgat waterfall.

• Travelata, Level.Travel, OnlineTours - look for the hottest tours here.
• Aviasales - save up to 30% on purchasing air tickets.
• Hotellook - book hotels with discounts up to 60%.
• Numbeo - look at the price order in the host country.
• Cherehapa - take reliable insurance so as not to worry on the road.
• AirBnb - rent an apartment from locals.

The popular Turkish resort of Side has wide sandy beaches, a clear sea, a cozy green peninsula, with a well-preserved Greek amphitheater, covered with orange groves and pine forests. A small town with narrow cobbled streets, with various shops with souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, snow-white yachts docked in the harbor, countless restaurants and cafes, Greek columns, Turkish mosques that reflect a deep history - all this is a vacation in Side.

You can visit Side at almost any time of the year, but the best seasons are considered late spring and early autumn, when temperature comfort sets in - the air is already/not yet so hot and heated, and the water is warm enough for swimming.

Location of Side resort.

The resort is located 68 kilometers from Antalya International Airport. Therefore, you will first have to fly to Antalya, and then take a taxi or intercity bus provided by your tour operator to Side. On average, such a trip from the airport to the hotel will take you one and a half hours.

Hotels in Side.

The western part of the Side coast is densely built up with hotels, so if you are not looking for privacy, then stay in this part of the resort. The eastern beaches are less crowded. In addition, they differ flat entrance to the sea, so most often married couples with children stay here. For young holidaymakers, each hotel has special programs and entertainment: swimming pools, animation, playgrounds, babysitting services and mini clubs.

In Side there are hotels for every taste and budget. You can choose a room in modern high-rise hotels, for example, Fulia 5* or Selin 5*, Sueno Beach Side 5*, and for those who prefer large bungalow houses, we recommend paying attention to KAMELYA HOLIDAY VILLAGE HV-1. There are also combined hotels in Side, in which a large multi-storey hotel building is located on a large territory, and next to it there is a bungalow complex. A classic example of such a hotel is VOYAGE SORGUN 5*, it is very popular for families with children. Those who like complete independence can stay in apartments with their own kitchen, or reserve a villa on the coast.

Resort areas of Side.

There are several resort areas in Side, each of which has its own zest: Titreyengel, Manavgat, Kumkoy, Colakly, Kizilot, Sorgun, Kizilagach.

Three kilometers from Side there is an area Kumkoy, with its picturesque bay and sloping shores. This resort area can be recommended to parents who take small children with them on vacation. Popular tourist complexes, golden beaches - this is the area Colakli. If you prefer beach holidays and sea swimming, stay here.

Modern recreation centers, beaches with golden sands, pine forests, seven kilometers from the center of Side - these are the main characteristics of the area Titreingel. Fantastic nature, waterfalls, the opportunity to engage in active sports (rafting, horseback riding) - you will find all this in Manavgate.

Each hotel offers its vacationers a lot of entertainment and sports games. You can take a sea voyage on a yacht, go diving, learn to play tennis or table tennis, play billiards or bowling.

Trips around Side and its surroundings.

The city of Side itself is called an “open-air museum.” There are a large number of ancient monuments here: the fortress wall of the city, which surrounded Side from the sea and from the land, the main gate, the remains Temple of Tyche And Fortune, Roman baths, which currently houses an archaeological museum; Temple of Dionysus; ruins of the amphitheater where gladiator fights took place, intended for 20 thousand spectators.

Not far from the city, seven kilometers away, there is Manavgat waterfall, the waters of which flow into the sea, so tourists can swim in river and sea water at the same time. In the city Okurcalar, In a hotel Water Planet Resort & Aquapark there is a large water park offering for its vacationers: a wave pool, a bungee jumping tower, 27 slides, a children's pool, a river for lap rafting, etc. Both adults and children can have a great time here.

If you are a fan classical music, then in June-July in Aspendos, another ancient Greek amphitheater, which is a forty-minute drive from Side, hosts annual festivals.

Walking around the city will bring you no less pleasure than swimming in the sea. In restaurants and cafes in Side you can taste delicious seafood dishes. And leather and jewelry stores will delight tourists with their sophistication and quality.

Nightlife of Side resort.

It is no less diverse. Young people can relax in Side's modern nightclubs and discos until the early hours. One of the most popular dance venues in the city is the disco " Oxide", which is located near the Melas Resort 5* hotel. Here you can dance in the foam until the morning, while drinking exotic cocktails. An equally famous disco in the city is disco " Nympheon", where you can relax and enjoy your favorite music.

Holidays in Side will not leave you indifferent! Come to Turkey and experience the taste of history and modern comfort and coziness. Flagman Travel managers will help you plan your vacation so that you get maximum satisfaction from it.

This is one of the oldest cities in Antalya province. The history of this place dates back to the 7th century BC. and here was the largest slave market in the entire Mediterranean. Many historical sights.

The resort town of Side (translated as “pomegranate”) is located on a small peninsula surrounded by sandy beaches. There is a western beach (there are more people there) and an eastern beach (there are fewer people), both were once marked with the Blue Flag.

Rest in the city itself is not the only one. As in all major resort towns, there are small resort villages in the vicinity of Side. Therefore, when planning a trip, everyone can choose the place that suits them best.

• Kumkoy – located in a picturesque bay, suitable for families with children, sandy beaches with a gentle entry into the sea.

• Chokaly – located 14 km from Side, a young resort, modern hotels, sandy beach, good infrastructure.

• Titreyengal is a youth resort, nightclubs, lots of greenery, sandy beach. Here you can meet young people from different countries.

• Sorgun is located 2 km east of the city - there are pine forests, sand and pebble beaches, hotels have their own large green area. There is peace and quiet here, there is no nightlife or noisy entertainment. Suitable for families with children.

• Kizilagac is a well-known place for families with small children, there is a lot of greenery, hotels have a large area, a sandy beach with a gentle slope into the sea.

All villages are located close to the city, so those who like shopping and noisy parties until the morning will not have any difficulty getting to Side.

Sights of Side

• Museums.

• Manavgat waterfall.

• Ancient amphitheater.

• Fountain Nymphaeum.

• Temple of Apollo.

• Gate of Vespasian.

There are many excursions on offer, choose according to your taste and budget. There is also an excursion for fans, they take you to the Managavt River.

There is enough entertainment for everyone. For little tourists, you can choose hotels with a water park, swimming pools and water slides,

Or you can take an excursion to the nearest water park.

Fans of all sorts of fun should visit the most famous discotheque "Oxide" in Side,

and many nightclubs.

Where is Side located?

The resort of Side in Turkey is located in the south of the country on the Mediterranean coast. Antalya International Airport is located at a distance of about 70 km. The transfer from the airport will take approximately an hour. And in an hour you will already be swimming in the warm waters of the sea.

The beach season starts in mid-May and lasts until October. There is no rain at this time. The air temperature is on average +25 - +30 degrees, and in the sun it is even higher. Don't forget to use sunscreen means .

Besides you, this resort is a favorite vacation spot for German tourists, mostly they are here. And the Germans, as you know, choose good resorts. Therefore, learn German, English and make new friends, and most importantly, behave with dignity.

In general, you will have a great holiday here and everyone will find something they like. Side is also known for the fact that the famous Queen Cleopatra had a date with Mark Antony here, so spending a honeymoon here is considered a good omen.

I wish you a great holiday.

Side (Türkiye) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Side with descriptions, guides and maps.

Side city (Türkiye)

During the Roman period, Side reached its greatest prosperity. In the 1st century BC. The city was captured by pirates, who made it their base and center of the slave trade. In 67 BC. e. Roman troops under the command of Pompey dealt with the pirates. Although the slave market still remained.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Side became part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 7th century, the Arabs captured and burned the city. By the 8th century, Side was abandoned. In the 10th century, a strong earthquake significantly damaged the ancient buildings. Back in the first half of the 20th century there was a small fishing village here. Everything changed in the 60s of the 20th century, when ancient ruins were excavated. Side has become a popular holiday destination and an open-air museum.

How to get there

The nearest airport is located in Antalya. In order to get to Side by bus, you first need to get to the bus station in Manavgat. Then you can take minibuses (dolmuş) from the center of Manavgat or bus 143T. Side is conveniently located 2 km from the main Turkish Mediterranean highway.

Shopping and purchases

In ancient Side, in addition to hotels and ruins, there are a huge number of shops offering souvenirs, sweets, traditional Turkish goods, a huge selection of clothes and shoes. You definitely need to bargain, as the price of the goods is usually significantly inflated. Most traders are real polyglots and understand Russian. The cost of the product can be safely reduced by half at once in order to get a better price when bargaining. Euros and dollars are easily accepted for payment here.

Since Side is a popular resort, for bargain shopping it is better to visit the Manavgat market or shopping center.

Food and drink

Side is popular among tourists from Germany, England, and Scandinavia, so the cost of a check in a restaurant here is higher than the average in Antalya. For food, we recommend trying fish and seafood. If you move away from the ancient city you can save a lot.

Attractions

The main attraction of Side is the ancient city, which is pedestrian. Here, among the hotels and shops, the ruins of ancient fortifications, columns and buildings are scattered. The most famous buildings of ancient Side: the theater, the temple of Athena and Apollo, agora, Vespasian's gate.

The ancient city was surrounded by fortress walls. The construction of city fortifications began in the 2nd century BC. Most of them are preserved in the eastern part of Side. On the bay side, the defensive structures did not stand the test of time. Here in the sea and on the shore you can see fragments of ancient walls and columns.

The theater is a grandiose building of Antiquity, which was the largest in ancient Pamphylia among similar buildings. It accommodated more than 15,000 spectators and had 49 rows of seats. Reliefs on the walls have been preserved to this day. Although some of the columns have collapsed, the theater is a remarkable example of Roman architecture that is still in use today.

Temple of Apollo and Athena

The Temple of Apollo and Athena is one of the symbols of Side. These ancient buildings were erected in the 2nd century AD and are located near the sea at the top of the peninsula. To this day, parts of the columns and facade remain from the temple. If you wander around the area, you can see several interesting ruins.

The Vespasian Gate is an arched gate in the northern part of the ancient city, built in the 1st century AD. in honor of the arrival of the Roman Emperor Vespasian. Unfortunately, the ancient building was quite destroyed, but even now it amazes with its monumentality.

The Agora is an impressive Roman complex that was the center of ancient Side. Here you can see the remains of a colonnaded street, ancient buildings and a fountain that decorated the Roman city. To the east are the city walls and early Christian Byzantine structures.

Not far from Side are the romantic ruins of ancient Seleucia. The remains of ancient buildings are scattered in a picturesque pine forest.

Interestingly, little is known about Seleucia. Some scientists believe that this is the city of Lyrba. During excavations, baths, a well-preserved agora with storage rooms and colonnades, and a Byzantine church were discovered here. On the way here you can see the Roman aqueduct that used to supply water to Side.

All the most interesting archaeological finds are kept in the local museum.