Side Holidays

from £99 per person

Flight + Hotel
Hotels

Departure airport

Any airport

When

Any Date

How long

Room(s)

1 Room

2 Adults

1 Room

2 Adults

UTC+03:00

Turkish

TRY: Turkish lira

Side holidays 2021

Surrounded by mountains, rivers and beautiful beaches, Side contains all the elements for holiday bliss. What makes it even more special are the ancient ruins that scatter the streets and hillsides.

Beach lovers won’t be disappointed by a holiday in Side. It has more than its fair share of white sand and sapphire waters. Plus, there’s bags of ancient history and adventure on offer. Commune with the past at theatres and temples, hike your way around the surrounding countryside or kick back on golden sands and take in the views.

Outdoor adventures in Side

Side basks beneath a balmy Mediterranean climate year round so it’s made for outdoor adventures. Keen on water sports? There’s everything from water skiing to windsurfing to sailing. Head away from the sea and you’ll find mountain ranges and national parks to explore, by bike, on foot or on horseback.

Overview
Things to do
Places to stay

Why book Side holidays

Must-visit historical sites

Apollon Temple, the Ancient Theatre and Nymphaeum

Discover the best beaches

Side is home to sandy West Beach and East Beach

Lush natural wonders

Head to Manavgat Waterfalls

World-class museums

Check out the artifacts at Side Museum

Popular with couples

Nice, quiet and relaxing... perfect for couples

Sample the local food

Tuck into typical Turkish dishes

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Your guide to Side holidays

Time to explore

Top 5 things to do in Side

Side holidays are full of variety, whether you’re after family fun, high-octane thrills or a romantic break.

Side’s buzzing Old Town is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Narrow stone streets house boutiques and restaurants, and during the summer there’s live music in the air.
Ancient ruins live amongst Side’s hotels and beaches. Get your history fix at the dramatic amphitheatre or the temples of Apollo and Athena.
People come on holiday to Side for its beaches. The town itself has two beauties, but head up or down the coast and you’ll find plenty of bays and coves to choose from.
Just inland from Side, Mangavat is the place to hone your bartering skills. The covered market has piles of souvenirs and gifts. Come on Mondays and Thursdays for local produce.
A stunning forested canyon and national park, Köprülü offers serene boat trips and white water rafting. The trout fishing is pretty good, too.

Historic highlights of Side

From an ancient theatre overlooking the sea to a Medieval castle along the coast, Side holidays are a treat for history buffs.

Side's spectacular amphitheatre sat up to 20,000 spectators at its peak. These days visitors come to appreciate the beauty of its setting. It towers over Side’s Old Town and looks out to sea.
The Temples of Apollo and Athena are a prime photo op. The half-dozen columns come with a backdrop of bright blue sea and are magical at sunset. At night they’re lit by spotlight and visible from afar.
Side’s Basilica was built in the 5th century on the foundation of ruined temples, and abandoned two centuries later. Some of the walls and part of the altar are still standing.
To get a feel for the area’s history check out Side Museum. Set in a 5th-century bathhouse, it has a collection of statues, sarcophagi and ancient coins.
Set atop a rocky peninsula in the heart of Alanya is a Seljuk-era castle. Climb up for mesmerizing sea views and a stroll. Its six-kilometre fortified walls hide historic houses and tea gardens.

Beaches

Beaches in Side

You could spend all of your Side holiday exploring the local beaches, whether you want brash and busy or quiet and secluded.

West Beach is the second longest in Turkey and has the facilities to prove it. Bars, hotels and restaurants line up along a dazzling stretch of white sand.
For a low-key vibe East Beach is more popular with locals than tourists. It’s gorgeous too. A sweep of sand and shingle, it’s backed by the Temples of Athena and Apollo.
Bordering East Beach, Sorgun Beach’s golden sands are the preserve of all-inclusive hotels. You're welcome to visit, but bring your own picnic.
A short walk from Side, Everenski Beach is set around a river mouth. Stretch out on the sands or stroll the harbour and arrange a pleasure cruise.
If you’re sightseeing in Antalya, make time to visit tiny Mermerli Beach. Set at the bottom of sheer cliffs in historic Kaleiçi district, it’s both child-friendly and beautiful.

Quiet beaches in Side

If it’s serenity you’re looking for you can find it on a Side holiday. Away from the main beaches are secluded coves and quiet canyons.

For beachside calm, try Gündogdu Beach on the outskirts of Side. The further you walk the quieter it gets. Persevere and you’ll find dunes, sea birds and peace.
Named after its emerald waters, Green Canyon is outdoorsy paradise. Explore by foot or by boat, stopping to swim from one of the small beaches or diving platforms.
Break up a day in Alanya at the beach below the castle walls. It’s small and there are no facilities, but the water and the backdrop are stunning.
Forget the beach and head for Manavgat Waterfalls. You can swim in the natural pool or head further downstream where you’ll have the river to yourself.
The river at Köprülü Canyon has crystal clear water and is a peaceful place for a swim in summer. Be prepared to get chilly, though. The water temperature is always below 15°C.

Food & Drink

Food and drink in Side

Satisfy your hunger on a holiday in Side. There’s everything from street food to tea shops to traditional tavernas.

You’ll find delicious seafood everywhere. Dress up for gourmet shellfish at a chic restaurant. Or, head beachside and eat swordfish kebabs with your toes in the sand.
Street food is a way of life in Turkey. You’ll find stalls in the Old Town, at the harbour and on the beach. It’s easy to make three courses from the goodies on offer.
Side’s dining scene centres on the harbour. Alongside traditional treats, you’ll find international favourites including Italian and Chinese. It all comes with impressive views.
Visit Manavgat Riverside Park for a stroll along the water and lunch in an open air cafe. Trout, pulled fresh from the river, is the speciality.
There are masses of eateries in Alanya, but for something authentic try a tea garden. They offer sweet pastries along with traditional Turkish tea. Many have a view of the castle, too.

Traditional cuisine in Side

You could play it safe on a holiday in Side, but make sure you try traditional dishes too .

Feeling brave? Try a kokoreç. This classic Turkish street food is made from goat or lamb intestines wrapped around spiced and marinated offal.
For the best kebab you’ve ever tasted visit an Ocakbaşı. These are laid-back restaurants where meat is grilled over coals right in front of you.
For breakfast on the run away from your hotel grab a börek (sweet or savoury filled pastry) or a simit (a sesame bread ring) from the local stalls.
A thick and potent concoction, Turkish coffee is usually downed in one or two sips. Apparently, you can use the leftover coffee grounds to read your fortune.
Keep it old-school at a meyhane. These are taverns where mezes, grilled meats and fish are cooked as they have been for years. There’s often live music at weekends.

Holiday types

Side family holidays

From all-inclusive holidays at beach resorts to jeep safaris and water parks, you’ll find plenty to enjoy on a family holiday in Side.

Boating up the river at Manavgat is a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. There are drinks and lunch included and you’ll visit the falls. There’s usually time for a dip in the river, too.
Adventurous older kids will love a jeep safari. You’ll race around the countryside and up into the Taurus Mountains. The terrain is rough, hot and dusty, but it's great fun.
There are plenty of water sports on offer, even if the kids are too young for jet skis. Try snorkelling off West Beach or heading out on a speed boat.
Want an enormous water park? You’re in luck. Antalya Aqualand includes wave pools, giant slides, a crazy river and a pirate ship. There’s a spa centre to escape the mayhem.
Set sail on a pirate-themed ship to explore the coast. There’s no looting involved but there’s lunch, swimming and an on-board foam party.

Side couples holidays

Luxury hammams, adventure sports and sensational sea views combine for romance on Side holidays.

Nearby Belek is Turkey’s golfing capital. After trying out a championship course, there are spas and high-end restaurants to round off the day.
Keen for some adventure? Köprülü Canyon National Park offers heart pumping white water rafting trips. Afterwards you can dive into the river for a refreshing dip.
Just outside town is Manavgat Waterfall. The scenery is stunning and you can swim in the pools below. At nighttime the falls are lit up by romantic fairy lights.
The Taurus Mountains are home to wineries, gardens and villages. Explore them on horseback and you’ll cover more ground. You could even make it to the ancient ruins of Syedra.
Ramp up the romance with a couples spa treatment. You can indulge at a traditional hammam, where offerings include mud baths, body scrubs and steam rooms.

What our local experts say

5 reasons we love Side

Side is an ancient city and former fishing village in Turkey‘s Mediterranean coast that has developed into a lively resort without losing its authentic charm. Set on a forested cape, its enchanting old town spills down a gentle hill to the harbour and spectacular Greco-Roman monuments stand testament to ...

Best beaches in Turkey

Turkey is one of our favourite destinations for lashings of sun, sea and sand, served up with a liberal sprinkling of ancient sites, historic towns, natural springs and gorgeous landscapes. Whether you’re looking to party or prefer to chill, travelling with the kids, a group of friends, or your ...

Side weather

Jan

12°C

Avg. Dry Days 17

Feb

13°C

Avg. Dry Days 18

Mar

16°C

Avg. Dry Days 20

Apr

19°C

Avg. Dry Days 21

Nov

19°C

Avg. Dry Days 23

Dec

15°C

Avg. Dry Days 18

Your Side questions answered

Which area should I stay in?

For large, luxury beachside hotels stay in West Beach. It has a fun vibe for both couples and families. For smaller hotels, Old Town offers charm and views over the ruins.

When is the cheapest time to visit Didim?

Is Side family friendly?

How can I get to Side from the airport?

What’s the best time to visit Side?

Top Side hotels

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What our customers say

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Prices last checked at 17:55 24 January 2021