About Side
Side is among the most unusual resort destinations on the Turkish coast — a place where you genuinely cannot tell where the holiday ends and the history begins. The ancient city, founded as a Pamphylian colony, was later a great Roman trading port; its ruins were never buried or abandoned but simply absorbed into the fabric of everyday life. Today, Roman columns emerge from restaurant gardens, the baths house a museum, and the Apollo temple stands on the very edge of the beach, its reflection shimmering in the sea at sunset.
The beaches that bookend the ancient peninsula are broad, sandy, and genuinely beautiful. The western shore tends to be calmer and suited to families; the eastern shore, backing onto the strip of resorts that extends towards Çolaklı and Sorgun, is busier and more service-oriented. For something quieter, Sorgun Beach — fringed by pine forest and a protected natural area — offers a markedly more tranquil experience just a few kilometres from the historic core.
Side Archaeological Museum, housed in a converted Roman bath building, presents finds from the local excavations with intelligence and care. It provides essential context for what you will see walking the ancient streets. The Roman theatre, one of the largest in the ancient world, still hosts concerts and events during summer — sitting in these age-old seats under the stars for a performance is an experience that stands apart from the normal run of holiday memories.
Airport Transfer to Side
A private transfer from Antalya Airport to Side is a straightforward and comfortable journey along the east coast highway. Drivers familiar with the Side area know both the approach roads and the specific access restrictions that apply to the historic old town — important knowledge if your hotel is within the ancient core.
The resort zone around Side covers a wide area, so your transfer is planned to your exact hotel address. Whether you are staying within the ancient peninsula, in the village area, or at one of the larger beach resorts nearby, a direct door-to-door service is provided.
Getting to Side
From Antalya Airport, the D400 highway east leads to Side through the Pamphylian plain. The turning for Side is well-marked from the main road; from there, a tree-lined approach road brings you into the resort zone and then to the ancient peninsula itself. As the road narrows and the ancient walls begin to appear, the sense of arrival becomes something more than simply reaching a destination.
Practical Tips for Visiting Side
Side is busiest from June through September; the ancient town is best explored in the cooler hours of early morning or evening. Comfortable walking shoes are essential — the ancient streets are paved with irregular stone that makes heeled footwear impractical. Vehicles are restricted in parts of the old town, so be prepared to walk the last section to your accommodation if it is within the historic core.
Sunscreen and water are essential for any visit to the open-air archaeological sites; shade is limited. The museum is a welcome air-conditioned retreat in the afternoon. Side's evening market, running in July and August, transforms the main street into a lively outdoor bazaar and is a fine way to spend an evening without leaving the town.
- See the Apollo Temple at golden hour (about an hour before sunset) — the light on the columns at that time is extraordinary.
- May and October are ideal months: warm enough to swim, uncrowded enough to walk ancient streets at your own pace.
- July–August evening market runs along the main road — good for local handicrafts, textiles, and atmosphere.
