Things to Do in Side: 10 Tips from a Local Guide
Things to do in Side: the ancient theatre, Temple of Apollo, beach, hammam and evening program. Practical tips for rainy days, families with children and couples.
Most of the things to do in Side fit on a small peninsula: in the morning the theatre, agora and museum in the ancient city, in the afternoon the beach or a hammam, in the evening a walk around the harbour and the Temple of Apollo at sunset. The old town is walkable, so even a single day gives a good first impression. Below I've listed what to do, how long it takes and who it suits.
What to see and do in Side? 10 local tips
- 1. Explore the ancient city before midday. There is little shade on the stone paths, so the morning hours are more comfortable. One and a half to two hours is enough to wander among the ruins. Opening hours and entry conditions may change, so check before you go.
- 2. Be sure to climb the ancient theatre. From the upper rows, the roofs of the old town and the sea are visible together. The steps are uneven in places, so wear shoes with good grip.
- 3. Visit the Temple of Apollo close to sunset. The few standing columns facing the sea give the best photos in the evening light. At the end of October the sun sets early, so plan your afternoon accordingly.
- 4. Don't drop the Side Museum from your list. The museum is inside an old Roman bath building and displays sculptures found in the city. It's also useful on rainy days. Check the opening hours in advance.
- 5. Explore the old town without a car. Keep in mind that driving into the peninsula may be restricted. Taking a dolmuş or taxi to the entrance and walking the rest is the most comfortable way.
- 6. Choose your beach according to the wind. The peninsula has beaches on both sides. When the wind blows from one side, the other side is usually calmer. For families with children, the side without waves is more comfortable.
- 7. Head down to the harbour in the evening. After sunset, a stroll along the harbour and fish dinner go well together. Before sitting down, it's good practice to check the menu and portion sizes.
- 8. Set aside time for a hammam session. The classic hammam ritual of sauna, kese scrub and foam massage feels good after walking. For a hammam tour with transfer in Side, see Side: Turkish Hamam with Kese Peeling, Foam Massage and Transfer; it lasts about 1.5 hours.
- 9. For the evening, consider the water, light and music show in Belek. The Land of Legends show is an evening plan of about 7 hours including hotel pick-up and drop-off. It is run from surrounding areas including Side; for details, see Antalya / Alanya Land of Legends Night Show with Hotel Transfer.
- 10. Set aside half a day for Manavgat. There are dolmuş services to Manavgat; half a day is enough for the waterfall and river boats. Departure times and routes may change by season, so check in advance.
What to do in Side if it rains?
On rainy days, the Side Museum, the hammam indoors and the small shops in the old town are good options. At the end of October and in winter, showers may be short. Going to the ancient city in the morning and switching to the museum or hammam when the rain starts is a sensible order. Stone floors become slippery when wet, so keep this in mind.
What to do in Side with children and as a family?
The easiest plan for children: a short tour of the ancient city, followed by a long break at the beach. The theatre steps and the ruins in open areas catch children's interest. Still, keep a close eye on small children on the theatre steps. Stopping for an ice cream at the harbour at the end of the day makes the walk easier.
What to do in Side for couples and at night?
For couples, the best order is: hammam in the afternoon, Temple of Apollo at sunset, and the harbour for dinner. If you want something livelier at night, the show in Belek is a suitable alternative. The old town of Side stays quiet in the evenings, so don't expect a long nightlife.
How to book a tour in Side?
Open the tour page on TurB2C, choose the date and complete the booking. Tours are operated by licensed local agencies in Türkiye. For tours that include transfer, you need to enter your hotel name and meeting details correctly during booking. Since tour times and pick-up points may change, check your confirmation message.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do in Side in one day?
In the morning, the ancient city and theatre; in the afternoon, the beach or a hammam; at sunset, the Temple of Apollo; and in the evening, dinner at the harbour is a good order. This program can easily be done on foot.
What to do in Side on a rainy day?
The Side Museum and a hammam are the easiest options. You can take a short tour of the ancient city between showers, but watch out for wet stone floors.
What to do in Side at night?
A harbour walk and dinner are the most common plan. For a livelier night, the Land of Legends show in Belek can be done with transfer from your hotel: Antalya / Alanya Land of Legends Night Show with Hotel Transfer.
Is Side suitable for families with children?
Yes. The beach, the ruins in open areas and short walks go well with children. Keep a close eye on small children on the theatre steps and during hot hours.
