Travel Tips for Visiting Side, Turkey (2026 Guide)
Side is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Turkish Riviera, known for its beaches, history, and wide range of activities.
To help you enjoy a smooth and stress-free holiday, we have prepared some practical travel tips for visitors to Side.
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Getting Around Side: Dolmuş & Local Transport
The easiest and most popular way to get around Side is by using dolmuş minibuses. These are shared local buses that run frequently between Side, Manavgat, and nearby resort areas.
Dolmuş vehicles are easy to recognise, and their destination is written on the front. You can stop them anywhere along the route by simply raising your hand.
Fares are affordable and passengers usually pay in cash directly to the driver. This makes dolmuş one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to travel in the region.
Dolmuş services run regularly throughout the day, especially during the tourist season, making them a flexible option for short trips.
Taxis are also available and use taximeters, but they are more expensive compared to public transport.
Electricity and Appliances
Turkey uses a standard 220-volt electricity supply with European-style plugs. Most visitors will only need a simple two-pin adapter for their devices.
Emergency Numbers
In case of an emergency, you can use the following numbers:
• Police: 155
• Fire: 110
• Ambulance: 112
Phone, GSM and Internet Services
You can use your own SIM in Turkey if you plan on a stay of fewer than 30 days and it will able you to connect via internet roaming easily. However, if you plan on a longer stay then you should get a local Turkish SIM or an international number for all your trips.
Internet services are no problem since Side has a Wi-Fi connection everywhere including hotels and public places.
A fixed line in Side contains 7 digits. If you want to call a fixed line from another fixed line in town, you can dial the number directly. However, if you want to dial a fixed line located in another town, you should dial 0 as prefix then the area code and the telephone number.
If you want to call an international phone number from Turkey, you should dial 00, country code, area code and telephone number respectively. You can call a telephone number in Turkey from another country by dialing 00,90,area code and telephone number respectively. The area code of Antalya and Side is 242.
Turkish mobile numbers have ten digits and you should add 0 as prefix in the beginning of the number when you want to make a mobile call.
Time System
The time zone in Side is TRT (Turkey Time) with no daylight saving time (DST) at present.
Currency
The official currency in Side is the Turkish Lira. However, many shops and restaurants also accept euros and other foreign currencies.
It is recommended to carry some local currency, especially for small purchases and local transport.
Smoking in Side
Smoking is banned in all over Turkey in hospitals, public spaces, buses, and offices. However, some hotels in Side have smoking rooms and you can go and smoke there if you want to. Apart from the indoors, there aren’t any restrictions for smoking outdoors.
Most of the bars, restaurants and cafeterias along Side provide open air smoking places for their customers.
Liquor Laws in Turkey
Turkey is a Muslim country, but alcoholic drinks are available abundantly at the markets and liquor shops along Side. Bars and clubs are open till to the first lights of the morning in the town.
There are strict liquor laws in place for selling or consumption of alcohol by people under the age of 18. However, there are no restrictions for people above the age of 18. The markets close the sales of alcohol at 10 p.m.
Driving in Side
Driving in Turkey is on the right-hand side of the road, with the steering wheel on the left side of the vehicle.
Roads in the Side region are generally well maintained, and traffic is usually manageable.
These tips will help you enjoy a smooth and comfortable holiday in Side.
If you would like to make your trip even more enjoyable, you can explore a wide range of
excursions and activities in Side
and plan your holiday in advance.
We wish you a wonderful holiday in Side, Turkey.
