Side Tourist Information – A travel guide in Side
Side is a resort town located along the edge of the Mediterranean coast and it is the perfect place to go if you are looking for beach time in Turkey. The town is also rich in history with many stunning activities that you can do like sunbathing, sightseeing at the Roman era ruins right in the town and so on. There are also some stunning landmarks here where you are going to get mesmerizing views of the stately Taurus Mountains and plenty of secluded beaches to go if you don’t like a crowded beach. Some of the top things to do in Side are listed below.
Top things to do in Side
Visit the Temples of Apollo and Athena
The Greek settlers were the first settlement in Side and they also built a harbor here. It was during this time that the town became an important commercial center but the town was abandoned when the harbor began to silt up in the 7th century. One of the top things to do now is to visit the remains of the principal temples that was dedicated to Athena and Apollo. These temples are located in a picturesque environment and it is the perfect time to take Instagram worthy pictures. Another top thing to do is to come here during the evening as you will get to see stunning sunset promenade and there are plenty of cafes along the shoreline just to enjoy the view.
Explore Side’s Theater
This was once the largest theater in the ancient Pamphylia with a capacity to accommodate 15,000 audiences. Although some part of the theater has collapsed this is still a magnificent surviving example of Roman architectural skill. There is also a Roman-era marketplace behind the theater that you can explore and also the remnants of the circular temple of Tyche which is dedicated to the Roman goddess of fortune.
Relax at the East Beach
Tourist flock Side because of its stunning sun and sand and it is filled during the summer months. The strip of sand closest to town and the most popular is the east beach and you should not miss out coming here. The beach features restaurants and cafes and you will surely get what you need for relaxing, sunning, and tanning here. You can also try out some watersports here.
Visit the Side Museum
Although the museum is small you will love the charming and stunning curated collection with its spectacular building. Originally a 5th-century bathhouse the museum building is home to exquisitely detailed Roman Statuary and Hellenistic artworks that are found within and around the town. This is also the best place to rest after exploring some other landmarks.
Go sightseeing at Manavgat Waterfalls
This is located on the Manavgat River that rises in the Seytan Mountain range of the Taurus mountains and it is a stunning place for a picnic. This attraction is famous among both tourists and local families on sunny weekends and you can come here during the weekday so as to avoid the crowds. You can also get close-up views of the waterfall using a network of gangways and you will be amazed by the thunderous roar of the water.
Try water rafting at Köprülü Canyon
This can be found further north behind the village of Beşkonak and it is the perfect spot in the region for white-water rafting trips. To come here, you can easily arrange for a half-day trip here in both side and Antalya. Another top thing to do here is to go hiking if you don’t want to get wet. You will get stunning sights of the dramatic gorge scenery. You can visit our Köprülü Canyon Rafting page to get further information about white water rafting in Side.
Explore State Agora
This is an imposing Roman complex which functioned as the State Agora. The east side was a two-story building which was thought to be used as a library and you are going to see a figure of Nemesis, the goddess of fate. At the eastern old town walls, you are going to see the extensive ruins of the Byzantine bishop’s palace, baptistery, and principal.
