Side is one of the most popular day trips from Antalya — a living ancient city where Roman columns stand between restaurants and the Temple of Apollo watches over the harbour. Here’s what to know about getting there.
Distance from Antalya to Side
Side is located approximately 75 km east of Antalya city centre, near the town of Manavgat. From Kaleiçi (Antalya Old Town specifically), the road distance is around 74–78 km via the D400 coastal highway.
How Long Does It Take to Get to Side from Antalya?
- By car or taxi: approximately 50–60 minutes (faster if traffic is light, longer in peak summer)
- By public bus: around 1 hour 30 minutes — take a bus from Antalya Otogar (main bus station) to Manavgat, then transfer to a dolmuş minibus to Side. Buses run regularly throughout the day.
- By organized tour: typically a half-day or full-day tour with hotel pickup, which is the most convenient option if you’re not renting a car.
Note: Side’s historic town centre is closed to private vehicles. Car parks are available at the entrance, and you walk into the ancient ruins from there.
What Is Side Like?
Side is one of those rare places where antiquity and everyday life overlap completely. The modern village of Selimiye was built directly on top of the ancient Hellenistic-Roman city, meaning restaurants occupy restored old houses and the streets between ruins are full of activity.
Key sights include:
- Temple of Apollo — the iconic seafront temple, especially spectacular at sunset
- Side Amphitheatre — one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in Turkey, seating up to 15,000 people
- Side Museum — housed in a restored Roman bathhouse, displaying artefacts from the ancient city
- Ancient harbours and colonnaded streets — you can walk through the ruins freely
- Glass floor walkways — in several spots, panels reveal ruins directly beneath your feet
Side also has good sandy beaches on both sides of its peninsula, making it a natural combination of history and sea.
Is Side Good for Shopping?
Yes — the cobbled streets of Side’s historic centre are lined with jewellery shops, carpet shops, pottery stalls, souvenir sellers, and leather goods. It’s one of the better spots in the Antalya region for browsing and buying. See our full guide: Is Antalya Old Town Good for Shopping?
Should You Do a Day Trip or Stay Overnight?
Side works well as a day trip from Antalya — most of the key sights can be covered in 4–5 hours, with time for a beach swim or seafood lunch. If you want a more relaxed pace or want to see the Temple of Apollo at golden hour, consider staying one night.
FAQ
How far is Side from Antalya Old Town? Side is approximately 75 km east of Antalya city centre, about 50–60 minutes by car or 1 hour 30 minutes by public bus.
Is Side worth visiting from Antalya? Yes — Side is one of the best day trips from Antalya, combining a living ancient city with good sandy beaches and excellent seafood restaurants.
What is Side famous for? Side is famous for the Temple of Apollo, one of Turkey’s most iconic ancient monuments, as well as its well-preserved Roman amphitheatre and colonnaded streets.
Can you do Side as a day trip from Antalya? Yes — most of the key sights can be covered in 4–5 hours, leaving time for a beach swim or lunch.
Is Side good for shopping? Yes — the cobbled streets of Side’s historic centre have many jewellery, carpet, pottery, and souvenir shops.
👉 [Book: Perge, Aspendos and Side Ancient Cities Day Tour from Antalya — Viator]
👉 Book: Side Day Trip from Antalya with Guide — Viator
Related reading: Aspendos Theatre Guide | What to Do in Antalya in 1 Day