Side

Side sits on a flat limestone spit jutting into the Pamphylian Gulf. You walk through a 2nd-century Roman city gate directly into a functioning town of shops, restaurants, and active excavations. Sandy beaches line both sides of the neck, while the south tip holds white marble temples. Cars are banned in the historic core, so you move on foot or by electric shuttle.

Eating in Side revolves around fresh Mediterranean fish and regional Anatolian specialties. Local taverns near the harbor serve red mullet, sea bass, and grilled octopus caught along the coast. In the streets just behind the water, bakeries bake pide flatbreads topped with minced lamb or local goat cheese.

• Harbor seafood

  Seafood restaurants near the tip charge premium prices for the temple view. Check the price per kilogram at the display counter before ordering fish.

• Manavgat market produce

  Mondays and Thursdays bring local farmers to nearby Manavgat. Search the food stalls for regional olive oils, pomegranates, and fresh figs.

• Late-night soup culture

  Traditional lokantas along the D400 serve hot mercimek (lentil) soup around the clock for late arrivals.

Side served as Pamphylia's principal port in antiquity, thriving on maritime trade and slave markets. Controlled successively by Alexander the Great, the Seleucids, and Cilician pirates, the city flourished under Roman rule from the 1st century BCE. Earthquakes and coastal siltation eventually forced its abandonment until Cretan refugees resettled the ruins in 1895.

1. 7th c. BCE

   Greek Settlement

   Aeolian Greeks establish Side as a trading port. The local Pamphylian dialect remains distinct for centuries.

2. 1st c. BCE

   Cilician Pirate Base

   Side becomes a major regional slave-trading market and anchorage for Cilician Mediterranean pirates.

3. 2nd c. CE

   Roman Golden Age

   Under Roman rule, Side prospers. City walls, the 15,000-seat theater, and aqueducts are constructed.

4. 7th c. CE

   Arab Raids & Decline

   Naval raids and harbour siltation force residents to abandon the grand Roman metropolis.

5. 1895

   Resettlement

   Turkish refugees from Crete build Selimiye village inside the ruins, laying the groundwork for modern Side.

Choose your stay based on how you want to spend your days: boutique atmospheric stays inside ancient walls, or all-inclusive resorts on the sand.

• Couples & wellness seekersSorgun — Secluded upscale resorts tucked into quiet pine forest, away from day-trip crowds.

Side's historical core is completely pedestrianized. Getting into town relies on dolmuş minibuses, taxis, or airport shuttles.

• Minibuses connect Side central station to Manavgat, Kumköy, and Titreyengöl every 10–15 minutes until late evening.

• Dolmuş drivers take cash in Turkish Lira or Euros. Exact lira change avoids rounded exchange rate surcharges.

• The historic peninsula measures 1 kilometre end to end. Ancient stone streets require flat, sturdy walking shoes.

Prices in Side vary sharply between the tourist-heavy peninsula and nearby residential Manavgat.

• Heat protection

  The Roman ruins offer almost no tree shade. Bring a wide hat, sunscreen, and water when visiting mid-day.

• Shopping culture

  Boutiques in Old Town press aggressively for sales. A polite 'Hayır, teşekkürler' stops persistent shopkeepers.

• Card payments

  Major restaurants and hotels take cards, but smaller dolmuş drivers and beach stalls require cash Lira.

• Water safety

  West Beach has gentle sloping sands suited for swimming, while East Beach drop-offs feature stronger currents.