Last Updated on 16/06/2024
Wondering whether Side is worth visiting? Spoiler alert: The ancient city of Side Turkey (Türkiye) is one of the most captivating places to visit along the pristine Turkish Riviera, and in this post, I’ll be sharing historical ruins in Side, photo spots and things to do in Side in one day that you’ll definitely want to include on your Antalya itinerary!
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Side, located halfway between Antalya and Alanya Turkey, is a popular resort on the Mediterranean coast and is an ancient city that has been preserved to give visitors a glimpse of Side’s history and timeless past. If you’re looking for unusual things to do in Side to uncover the historical sites, photo spots and beautiful areas to see in Side in one day, then this post is for you!
This Side day trip itinerary was compiled following a recent press trip with Jet2Holidays to Turkey (Türkiye), which included activities, towns and restaurants recommended and sourced by GoTürkiye Tourist Board. However, as always, my honest opinions are contained in this post. Thanks for supporting my content!
A city by the sea, Side pronounced (sea-day) refers to the mother Goddess of Anatolia and is named after the pomegranate; a fruit widely grown in approximately 90 varieties in Turkey alone. In fact, as you fly into Antalya you can witness just how much fruit is grown in the region, with countless greenhouses growing fresh fruit seen overhead.
For those looking to explore ancient ruins and relaxing beaches, Side offers visitors a quiet retreat from busier areas such as Antalya’s Old Town and is no less charming. Situated on Turkey’s Southern Mediterranean Coast within easy distance to popular golfing greens, beaches in Belek and Land of Legends Theme Park, Side boasts over 10km of golden sandy beaches and Greco-Roman ruins that are beautifully preserved.
Things to Do in Side in One Day
If you’re planning a day trip to Side or want insight into the best attractions to plan your Antalya itinerary, I’ll be sharing inspo from my day in Side in this post.
For a sneak peek of things to do in Side, check out my Instagram reel below:
Ancient Temples in Side
There are five ancient temples in Side, and whilst the Apollo Temple is the most popular, it is worth seeking out the others if your Antalya itinerary allows.
Three temples are dedicated to Apollo, Athena and Men, and the Byzantine basilica are situated close to the coast and Side Harbour.
It’s worth noting if you’re looking for free things to do in Side, you can visit the temples of Apollo, Athena and Men, as well as a Byzantine basilica, free of charge during the day and night. However, the temple of Dionysos and the temple of Tyche are located in fenced-off areas and can be only seen from some distance away.
Apollo Temple Symbol of Side
One of the most iconic tourist attractions in Side is the Apollo Temple, which is considered the symbol of Side.
As the name suggests, the Apollo Temple is dedicated to Apollo, the Greek God of music, harmony and light.
However, if you study the Apollo Temple closely you may see another familiar figure of Greek mythology carved into the stone. The head of Medusa is carved horizontally on the Apollo Temple warning visitors to Side not to dare enter the city with evil intentions otherwise Medusa will turn you to stone!
Head to the Apollo Theatre at sunset for one of the best photo spots in Side to see the temple aglow at golden hour with the sunset as the perfect backdrop.
This romantic spot is believed to have been the place where Anthony met Cleopatra and presented the Apollo Temple as a token of his love for her.
I honestly could have sat here for ages admiring the view of the temple and the ocean below.
Temple of Athena
Located closest to the Apollo Temple is the Temple of Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom, art and strategic war. Athena was often named a patron of cities and is considered the patron of Side.
In ancient times, the Temple of Athena exceeded that of Apollo.
Temple of Men
Unlike the classical temples made for the Greek God & Goddess, the Temple of Men was made in a semi-circular room with ceremonial stairs leading to the temple.
Temple of Dionysus
The last remaining ruins of the temple of Dionysus can be seen on the side of the Roman theatre.
Temple of Tyche
In a prominent position in the centre of the city’s agora is the recently reconstructed temple of Tyche, which is the latest addition to Side’s ancient temples, having been restored to its former glory in 2013.
The agora is located next to the Roman theatre in Side and was the commercial and cultural hub of the city. The ruins of the building in the middle of the agora were believed to be the remains of the temple of Tyche, and funds were raised in the millions to preserve this ancient site.
Side Ancient City – Intriguing Sites & Historical Ruins In Side
Embark on a journey of Side’s history, dating back to the 7th Century BC uncovering sites from the city’s rule by Romans, Byzantines, and Seljuk Turks, each leaving their unique imprint on the city’s architecture and culture.
In honouring the vast ancient ruins in Side, many of the sites are preserved with glass-covered walkways to enable the city to grow and develop without tampering with its archaeological findings.
I’d recommend getting insight into the history of Side from a local guide, as our GoTürkiye Tourist Guide Volkan gave us a wealth of information and amusing tales of Side as we browsed the historical sites.
Side Ancient Theatre
If you’re looking to uncover more history of Side’s Old Town, head to the ancient theatre of Side.
Before visiting Antalya, I had no idea the region has so many grand Roman amphitheatres to rival those found in Italy and Greece! Whilst our group visited Aspendos (which I highly recommend including in your Antalya itinerary),
Side’s ancient theatre is unique as it’s the only theatre in the region not on a hill.
Though, as with other theatres, it is dedicated to Dionysus and offers visitors an intriguing glimpse of days gone by, when Gladiators took to the arena with the cheers of the crowd echoing around the amphitheatre’s walls.
Side Roman Baths
Just steps away from Side’s unique Roman amphitheatre lie the remains of Side’s Roman baths, which were built around the 2nd century AD, and served as an important social hub in ancient Roman times.
Similarly to Turkish baths, known as hammams, there were three main sections – the cold room, warm room, and hot room – enabling visitors to cleanse the body and relax the mind in rooms of varying temperatures as part of the bathing ritual.
Not just for bathing, the baths also served as social clubs where the wealthy elite would come to relax, exercise, engage in business dealings and academic discussions, and even participate in minor surgeries performed by doctor-bathers. The baths were truly at the heart of the daily life and culture of Side’s Roman residents.
Today, the baths remain an extraordinary archaeological site, offering insight into the bathing customs of the ancient Romans.
Byzantine Basilica
Positioned behind the temples of Apollo and Athena the ruins of the Byzantine Basilica curated in the 5th century AD can be seen.
Built on the very foundations of the ancient temples in which the church incorporated both Apollo and Athena before being abandoned, this Christian Church amassed quite a size in its heyday.
Side Archaeological Museum
Found within the depths of a former Roman bathhouse, Side Archaeological Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in diving deeper into this ancient city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Housing a collection of artefacts unearthed from the region’s many archaeological excavations over the years, the museum showcases mosaics, intricate marble statues, thousands of ancient Turkish, Greek, and Roman coins spanning centuries and empires, Roman tools and, even a preserved stone bath.
Photo Spots in Side Antalya
Side offers the most picturesque photo spots to capture beautiful photos during your holiday in Antalya. Here’s some of my favourite Side photo spots from my day trip:
Ancient Side Ruins
Of course, it’s no visit to Side without checking out the ancient ruins mentioned earlier in this post. In terms of photo spots, don’t miss the Apollo Temple at sunset, which is considered the symbol of Side (don’t look in Medusa’s eyes!) I’d also recommend visiting the Side amphitheatre, unique in it’s build and a great option if you don’t get a chance to visit nearby Aspendos.
Side Signs
Did you really visit Side if you didn’t get a photo next to the I heart Side sign?!
The ultimate tourist photo opportunity, Side has a couple of Side signs to photograph, one near the beach and the other near the harbour, which make for a great holiday photo memento.
Side Swing
Not only does Side have iconic Side signs found in many other popular cities, did I mention it also has a swing?! The swing is overlooking Side Harbour and is particularly beautiful at sunset, giving a beautiful backdrop to your photos and videos as you can see from my Side video.
Side Harbour
Side Harbour is the place to visit for day trips from Side to Manavgat waterfalls, or to get out on the water on a pirate ship straight out of Pirates of The Caribbean!
The pretty flower-lined Side Harbour is also a great place to relax, grab drinks and snacks as the sun goes down.
Beaches in Side Turkey
As I hinted at the start of this post, Side is a seaside city in Antalya with some glorious beaches to add to your itinerary.
The city’s peninsula location means you’re never far from the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean and I would have been well up for time on the beach if we had visited earlier in the day. The main beach, aptly named Side Big Beach, or East Beach stretches along 3km of golden sand offering ample space to soak up the Antalya sun and passes historical landmarks including the Apollo Temple and Side Amphitheatre.
Known locally as Büyük Plaj, the beach gently slopes into the calm, shallow waters, making it perfect for families with small children and has a seemingly endless expanse of golden sand fringed by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean where we saw fishermen catching fish in the late afternoon.
Whilst we did visit Büyük Plaj, Side Big Beach, at the end of the day, I was surprised just how tranquil this spot is (as you can see from my Instagram stories).
However, if you’re visiting during peak season, for or a more secluded experience, head to the nearby Sorgun Beach or Kızılağaç Beach, where you can find tranquil coves and turquoise waters away from the crowds on the main beach.
Side Old Town Restaurant with a Sea View
One of the big draws of enjoying a holiday in Side is the various old town restaurants in Side with a sea view where you can dine al fresco with mesmerising views over the Mediterranean Sea.
Azumare Restaurant Side
End a day in Side dining under fairy lights as you watch the sunset over the sea. Our group strolled around the pretty flowered walkways of Side’s harbour area, and enjoyed a sundowner at a waterfront bar, before heading to Azumare for a sunset meal overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Azumare serves a variety of dishes, from seafood dishes, picky platters, to nachos and beach bites, before paddle-boarding or swimming, if you’re visiting in the day.
In fact, Azumare Side provided a great dining experience for our last meal after four days in Antalya.
Why Side is Worth Visiting
Side is a great holiday destination, with beautiful beaches, packed full of cultural attractions, a treasure trove of ancient ruins, and has a more intimate feel and less of a tourist vibe than the city of Antalya (though I did enjoy Antalya Old Town), as you can see fisherman lining the shores of the beaches and local taverns away from more commercial chains.
If you were wondering whether Side is worth visiting, I hope this post has shown you that Side is absolutely worth visiting! Of course, this post only shares the best things to do in Side in one day, and there is much more to uncover than the places mentioned. Therefore, please share any hidden gems in Side you uncover in the comments below to inspire future visits!
Check out more of my Antalya blogs and one-day itineraries on the links below!
Happy travels!
Jaz
Titanic Deluxe Belek Antalya 5 Star Resort
How to Spend Four Days in Antalya