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 night programme. Practical tips for rainy days, families with children and couples.
Most 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 hammam, in the evening a walk along 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 have 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 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 you can see the rooftops of the old town and the sea 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 look their best in evening light. The sun sets early at the end of October, so plan your afternoon accordingly.
- 4. Don't skip the Side Museum. The museum is housed in a former Roman bath building and displays sculptures excavated from the city. It is also worthwhile 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. The easiest way is to take a dolmuş or taxi to the entrance and walk the rest.
- 6. Choose your beach according to the wind. There are beaches on both sides of the peninsula. Whichever side the wind blows from, the other side is usually calmer. For families with children, the side without waves is more comfortable.
- 7. Go down to the harbour in the evening. After sunset, a stroll along the harbour and fish dinner work well. Before sitting down, it is 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 is a good way to relax after walking. For a hammam tour with transfer in Side, see Side: Turkish Hamam with Kese Peeling, Foam Massage and Transfer; it takes 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. Trips are 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 boat trips. Departure times and routes may vary by season, so check in advance.
What to do in Side if it rains?
On rainy days the Side Museum, the indoor hammam and the small shops in the old town are good options. At the end of October and in winter, showers may be brief. Going to the ancient city in the morning and switching to the museum or hammam when the rain starts is a sensible order. Stone surfaces become slippery when wet, so take that into account.
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 on 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. At the end of the day, an ice cream break in the harbour makes the walk lighter.
What to do in Side for couples and at night?
The best order for couples: a hammam in the afternoon, the Temple of Apollo at sunset, and the harbour for dinner in the evening. If you want something livelier at night, the show in Belek is a suitable alternative. Side's old town 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. Tour times and pick-up points may change, so 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 hammam, at sunset the Temple of Apollo, and in the evening dinner at the harbour is a good order. This programme can be done comfortably on foot.
What to do in Side on a rainy day?
The Side Museum and the hammam are the easiest options. You can take a short tour of the ancient city between showers, but be careful on the wet stone surfaces.
What to do in Side at night?
A harbour walk and dinner is the most common plan. For a livelier evening, the Land of Legends show in Belek Antalya / Alanya Land of Legends Night Show with Hotel Transfer can be done 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.
