Side is a rare and wonderful thing: a living seaside town built right among the ruins of a great ancient city. You wander cobbled streets past 2,000-year-old columns to reach the iconic Temple of Apollo, standing on a headland where the sun sets straight into the sea. Add a magnificent Roman theatre and a good museum, and it makes one of the best history day trips from Antalya. Here is your local’s guide.
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Check Price & Availability ›🔵 THE TEMPLE OF APOLLO
The star of Side is the Temple of Apollo, a row of graceful white marble columns on a headland right at the water’s edge. It is free to walk up to and utterly photogenic, especially at sunset, when the columns glow gold against the sea. This is the image most people carry away from Side, and it lives up to the hype.
🔵 THE ROMAN THEATRE AND RUINS
Side has one of the largest and best-preserved Roman theatres in the region, once seating around 15,000 people. Around it you will find the colonnaded main street, the ancient agora, monumental gates, and Roman b
aths (now the museum). The joy of Side is that these ruins are woven right through the modern town, so history is all around you as you browse shops and cafes.
| Practical info | Side Ancient City |
|---|---|
| Temple of Apollo | Open-air and free to visit |
| Theatre & museum | Ticketed sites; a Müzekart usually covers them |
| From Antalya | About 1 to 1.5 hours east by car or bus |
| Time needed | Half a day, or a full day with a swim |
Fees change with the season; check muze.gov.tr before visiting.
🔵 HOW TO GET THERE
Side is around 65 km east of Antalya, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by car. Frequent buses run to Manavgat, from where a short dolmuş ride reaches Side. Many visitors also come on an organised tour, often combined with Manavgat Waterfall, the Green Canyon boat trip, or the ruins of Aspendos and Perge, which makes for a rich full day.
🔵 TIPS FROM A LOCAL
Come late afternoon to explore the ruins in cooler light and stay for the sunset behind the Temple of Apollo, it is unforgettable. Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbles and uneven ancient stone, and bring water and sun protection, as much of the site is unshaded. Parking in the old town is limited in summer, so arrive early or use the shuttle from the car parks outside.
🔵 FAQ INTRO
Quick answers about visiting Side.
Is Side worth visiting from Antalya?
Yes. Side combines a beautiful seaside setting with world-class ruins woven through a living town, including the iconic Temple of Apollo and a huge Roman theatre. It is one of the best history day trips from Antalya.
Is the Temple of Apollo free?
Yes, the Temple of Apollo is an open-air site right by the sea and free to visit. The Roman theatre and museum are ticketed, and a Müzekart usually covers them.
How far is Side from Antalya?
Side is about 65 km east of Antalya, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by car or bus. Buses run to nearby Manavgat, with a short dolmuş on to Side.
What is the best time to visit Side?
Late afternoon into sunset is magical, with cooler light on the ruins and the sun setting behind the Temple of Apollo. It is also less crowded and hot than the middle of the day.