List of Places to Visit in Side: Discover the 10 Most Beautiful Places! from Alina Travel's blog

About the city: Side is a holiday resort in Antalya's Manavgat district. As it is known, Antalya is one of the centers of summer holidays in Turkey . One of the most preferred holiday resorts in Antalya is Side. In Side, which has a population of 14,115 under normal conditions, this rate doubles during the summer season. This charming town, one of the oldest cities in the world, is rich in history, archeology and culture.

 

How many days to visit: 2 days will be enough to visit Side.

Best time to visit: The most popular season of Side, which is under the influence of the Mediterranean climate, is undoubtedly summer. Side, which is heavily flooded by tourists especially in June and July, can also be visited in spring months such as September or May.

Museum cards: Although there is no special museum card for Side; With the Müzekart and Müzekart+ , which are valid in many cities of Turkey, it is possible to enter many places such as Side Museum, Side Antique City and Side Antique Theater with a discount or free of charge.

 

Airport/Central Transportation: Transportation to Side by air is provided by Antalya Airport . To reach Side from Antalya Airport, facilities such as HAVAŞ, bus and transfer are available at the airport. Click for more detailed information about the transportation possibilities of Antalya Airport: Antalya Airport Transportation Guide to the City Center

 

What to Eat: Olive oil dishes, salads, vegetable dishes, herb roasts and seafood are dominant in Side cuisine, as in the whole Mediterranean geography. Therefore, Local Dishes of Antalya | Our article titled 17 Tastes will provide you with an idea about Side cuisine.

(Price maybe changed it is old price)

Average restaurant fee per person: 30-35 TL
Average cost of coffee per person: 15 TL

 

1. Side Ancient City

Where is this? It is estimated that the foundation of Side, one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia, dates back to the Hittite Period in the 7th century BC. Respectively; The city, which was the living space of the Hittites, Lydians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans, continues to carry the traces of each of these periods. Side Antique City, one of them, attracts great attention every year, especially by history and archeology enthusiasts.

 

It has been determined that Side, which means "Pomegranate" in the Anatolian language, has a unique language. This language, which was unearthed with inscriptions, "Sidece" is thought to be a language of Luwian origin used by the Luwians, who are the indigenous people of Anatolia, in various sources. Side, as an important port city, had a very important position as the science, culture and trade center of the period.

 

Why should I go? Before converting to Christianity; Side, where there is belief in many gods such as Aphrodite, Ares, Asklepios, Hegaia, Kharits, Demeter, Dionysus, Hermes, especially Apollo and Athena, is very rich in terms of temples. However, the ruins of the city, which was destroyed by the Arab raids, the attacks of the Kings of Cyprus, the attacks of the Genoese, Venetian and Rhodes pirates, and the looting during the Crusades, constitute the main building blocks of the Ancient City of Side.

 

These structures are: City gate, walls, Nymphaeum, colonnaded streets, waterway, Triumphal Arch, Commercial Agora, Ancient Theatre, Agora Bath (Side Museum), Vespasian Fountain and Monumental Gate, Dionysos Temple, basilica, Harbor Bath, Episcopal Palace and Basilica, It consists of the Temple of Athena, the Temple of Apollo, the Southern Basilica, the State Agora, the Great Bath, the Baptistery and the Wall of Philippus Attius .

 

Built on a peninsula in Antalya, the Ancient City of Side starts from the main gate, as in other ancient cities of Pamphylia, and stretches along an ancient street with columned porticos with Corinthian caps on both sides. This ancient city, which is both one of the important tourism spots of Antalya and the symbol of Side, must be seen!

 

Address: Selimiye Mahallesi, Çağla Sk. 07330 Manavgat/Antalya
Working hours: Summer Period (April 15 - October 2): 08.30-19.30 / Winter Period (3 October-14 April) 08.30-17.30
Entry is free

 

2. Side Antique Theater

 

 

Where is this? Although the exact period of the Side Antique Theater, located in the square of the Side Ancient City, in the narrow part of the peninsula, was built, it is thought to have been built in the 2nd century BC.

 

It is understood that it inspired other ancient cities in Anatolia with its extraordinary architecture. Side Antique Theater, which is one of the first places recommended when it comes to places to visit in Side, has a total capacity of 20 thousand people. The theater, which carries the traces of Hellenistic Period and Roman architecture, is unique in Anatolia as it was built on arched spaces. Because most of the ancient cities in Anatolia are leaning against the mountain slopes.

 

Why should I go? Side Antique Theater, which consists of three sections as Scene, Oskestra and Cavea, also has the privilege of being the largest monumental theater built in the Pamphylia Region. It is known that the theater, where activities such as animal turns and gladiator battles were held during the Late Imperial Period, served as a kind of open-air church during the Byzantine Period. Side Antique Theater hosts open-air concerts and various theater performances by many famous artists, musical groups and orchestras. Side Antique Theater, which is very popular among the historical places of Turkey, should definitely be visited!

 

Address: Side, Liman Cd. 07330 Manavgat/Antalya
Tel: 444 6 893
Working hours: Summer Period (April 15 - October 2): 08.30-19.30 / Winter Period (October 3-14 April): 08.30-17.30
Entrance fee: 30 TL *Muzekart or Müzekart+ holders and teachers can enter for free.

 

3. Temple of Apollo – Temple of Athena

 

Where is this? The Temple of Apollo, one of the historical places of Side, is one of the two temples built during the period known as the Roman Peace. Apollo, to whom the temple is dedicated, is the god of light, beauty, music, arts, sun, poetry and fire in Greek mythology; He is also among the chief gods of the city of Side. It is also among the information that Apollon, the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother of Artemis, is a successful oracle.

 

The establishment of the Temple of Apollo, located in the Ancient City of Side, right in the middle of the Byzantine basilica and just at the entrance of the ancient port, dates back to 150 AD. The idea that the temple was built to intimidate the enemies who will come to the city that the city is protected by the gods is an agreed opinion.

 

Why should I go? The columns with Corinthian heads on the temple, which was built in a rectangular shape in accordance with the Roman order and peripteros plan, are really worth seeing. Although some of the temple stones were dismantled to be used in the construction of the basilica when it started to turn into a Christian city, it was restored between 1982-1990 and brought to Side tourism. Restoration work continues at regular intervals.

 

Don't miss out! The Temple of Athena (Temple of Athena) is located at the place where the Temple of Apollo is located. However, since there is not much left of the temple, it is not possible to reach much information about it.

 

Address: Side, Cumhuriyet Blv. No:50, 07600 Manavgat/Antalya
Tel: 0242 753 10 06
Working hours: Summer Period: 08.30 – 19.00 / Winter Period: 08.00 – 18.00
Entry is free

 

4. Agora, State Agora and Agora Bath

 

Where is this? Agora, which can be considered the heart of Side Antique City, can be considered as the city's bazaar and trade center. The Agora, which is surrounded by columned entrances on four sides in a square area in plan, has the remains of ancient shops in the north and a domed structure used as a public toilet in the southwest. This domed structure is said to be the most ornate and best preserved example of a public toilet in Anatolia. In the middle of the agora, there is a circular temple dedicated to the Goddess of Fortune, with a pyramid-shaped roof and an exterior of 12 columns. Unfortunately, only the podium of the temple has survived to the present day.

 

Why should I go? A second agora is reached by a street running along the southern edge of the central agora. Also known as the state agora, this area also has a square plan; It is surrounded by Lon style columns. In the middle of the State Agora, there is a high platform that is thought to have been used as a slave market. Behind the column on the east side of the Agora, which is thought to be a library or an imperial palace; There is a large, ornate, three-room building. The Agora Bath, also located in this area and thought to have been built in the 5th century AD, has been used as a museum for a long time.

 

The bath, which is a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture and consists of five rooms, is entered through a door with two arches. It was determined that the first room with a small cold water pool was used as a cold room, that is, a cooling room, the other room as a domed sweating room, and the third room, which is the largest room, as a hot room. You should definitely add Agora, State Agora and Agora Bath, which are an important part of the ancient city, to the list of places to visit in Side.

 

Address: Side, Gul Sok. No:64, 07330 Manavgat/Antalya
Working hours: open 24 hours
Entry is free

 

5. Monumental Fountain (Nymphaeum)

Where is this? Vespasianus Fountain, one of the symbolic and iconic structures of Side, is located at the western end of the agora next to the ancient theater. The fountain bears the name of the Roman Emperor, Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus, who ascended the throne between 69-79. The fountain, which is connected to the Side museum by an arch of 15 meters high and 7 meters wide, draws attention as one of the most beautiful examples of Roman and Hellenistic architecture. The Vespasianus Fountain with a single basin, which must be added to the list of places to visit in Side, is a structure worth seeing with its marble friezes.

 

Address: Side, Liman Cd. 07330 Manavgat/Antalya

 

7. Side Seaport 

Where is this? Located in Side, right next to the ancient temple of Apollo, Side Harbor is a marina that has enough boats to meet the yacht tour and yacht charter demands of the visitors coming to the town. Although it is a small port, Side Harbor, which has a very beautiful structure both in terms of appearance and location, has luxury motor yachts, restaurants, diving boats, tour boats and huge themed boats.

 

Side Harbor is also home to a series of seating areas, benches and cafeterias facing the magnificent Mediterranean view. It is really great to watch the sunset here, especially in the evening. There are also areas where you can walk along the harbor.

 

Don't miss out! You can choose the marina to rent a yacht at affordable prices in Side, and you can meet all your needs here.

 

Address: Side, Liman Cd. 07330 Manavgat/Antalya
Working hours: open 24 hours

 

8. Side Museum

Where is this? Side Museum, which is the first museum opened in a village in Turkey, is located at the entrance of the Ancient City of Side, in the Agora Bath building that I mentioned above. In the museum, Ord. Prof. dr. The historical artifacts unearthed during the archaeological excavations in Side carried out under the chairmanship of Arif Müfid MANSEL are on display. It will be a wonderful experience for you to closely examine the valuable historical artifacts in the atmosphere of the Agora Bath from the 2nd century, which was restored and converted into a museum in 1959-1961. Side Museum, which must be on the list of places to visit in Side, hosts wonderful artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.

 

Why should I go? After the restoration work carried out in the Side Museum, it consists of rooms numbered 1 to 5 and a courtyard. It is the indoor hall numbered 2 (Sudatorium), 3 (Caldarium) and 4 (Tepidarium) of the museum; Halls 1 (Frigidarium), 5 (Tepidarium) and the courtyard serve as open display areas.

 

In the courtyard of the museum, which used to be a part of the gymnasium in the ancient city, the frieze series with the mythological stories of the god of the seas Poseidon, in which the relations of gods and goddesses with nature are depicted, friezes from the Roman Period, tomb inscriptions from the Seljuk Period, column bases and columns, busts. and statues, mosaic pieces, inscriptions and sarcophagi are on display. In the closed halls, there are coins, glass works, oil lamps, jewelry, figurines, ornaments, architraves, ceiling cassettes, sundials, altars, well bracelets, olive oil workshops, postoments and pithoi.

 

Don't miss out! The most outstanding work of the Side Museum is undoubtedly the Statue of the Three Graces, which symbolizes the elegance, beauty and fertility of the 2nd century AD . The Statue of the Three Graces, identified with Hera, Aphrodite and Athena, must be seen closely.

 

Address: Side, 07330 Manavgat/Antalya
Tel: 0242 753 10 06
Working hours: Summer Period (1 April-1 October): 08.30-19.00 / Winter Period (1 October-1 April): 08.30-17.30
Entry Fee: 25 TL *Muzecard is valid.