Side - Turkey Travel Guide

Magnificent ruins, stunning beaches, turtles and top hotels.


Charming harbour, excellent local cuisine and good nightlife.



•Sideis a lovely, lesser known and quieter part of Turkey, with long beaches, forests, Turtles and Roman ruins. It is a surprising and elegant mix of ancient and modern.

•Side is pronounced see-deh.

•The ancient wonders at Side include the Roman baths which date back to the 5th century, the ancient amphitheatre and temples.

•There are a dozen or so very modern upmarket hotels in Side set on immaculate beaches lapped by glittering aquamarine waters.

•According to our holidaymakers, if you are lucky, you will even spot turtles on one of of the beaches.

•Many of the hotels in Side have their own beaches so you are assured of privacy and 5* service. Some of the hotels in Side as befitting their location, also have fabulous spa facilities.

•Wander the narrow streets of the town of Side and feel the history of the narrow streets which lead down to the picture-perfect fishing harbour with its brightly coloured gulets bobbing idly under endless blue skies.

•It could be an idyllic start to a boat trip along this stunning coastline or a perfect place for sundowners and wonderful freshly cooked seafood food at the end of a day visiting ruins or soaking up rays.

•Side is ideal for sunworshippers, spa lovers, golden oldies, silver surfers, couples, divers, culture vultures and families.

•The best beaches in Side?There are two shingle beaches and a sweet sandy cove in the town centre. Nearby there are beaches at Sorgun, Kumkoy and Colakli, which you can walk to or catch a dolmus or the local tractor bus.

•Watersports in Side: parasailing, diving, swimming, snorkelling and boat cruises.

•Excursions in Side: The ruins of Side include three temples, an aqueduct, and a nymphaeum - which is a grotto with a natural water supply dedicated to the nymphs.

•Must see sight in Side include the Roman Ruins, Sunset at the Apollo temple and trips along the Managravat river.

•Eating Out in Side.

•There are some excellent restaurants in Side serving traditional mezze, seafood and international cuisine. There are many charming restaurants harbourside in Side serving fresh fish and seafood alfresco with views over the old harbour.

•Best restaurant in Side Our current holidaymakers' are divided as to which is the very best, but Flash restaurant does sound like an excellent place for local cuisine.

•The nightlife in Side. The nightlife here is mainly in the old town, with bars, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants. The most popular nightclub in Side is Oxyd and people come from all along the coast for a top night out here.

•Many of the hotels in Side also provide their own entertainment.

•There is also a pirates themed show which was not recommended by the only holidaymaker who has commented on it so far.

•Watching the sunset at the Apollo temple and the Fire of Antolia show at the amphitheatre , however, got rave reviews from our holidaymakers.

•Let us know what you think of the nightlife in Side when you get back..

•Shopping in Side There are some chic little shops around the harbour and traditional craft shops in the side streets and at Mangravat.

•Bargaining is welcomed and the souvenirs up for grabs include candles, glass balls with snow and ice bears, penguins, Turkish coffee sets, jewellery and leather goods.

•Do I need a visa for Side? Yes. You can get them at the airport when you arrive and cost £10. They are valid for 90 days. It is advisable to have at least six month's validity on your passport from the date of your entry into Turkey.

•How much should I tip in Turkey?

It's up to you but most people follow UK guidelines of roughly 5- 10% for bars, restaurants, massages, hairdressers - but if you get a very good deal then be generous, if you can afford to. •Can I use my mobile phone in Turkey?

•You should be able too, but check with your mobile phone company if you need European phone calls to be activated.

•Holidays to Side: We have an excellent choice of holidays in Side.

•Hotels in Side: We have an excellent choice of hotels in Side including 12 luxury 5* hotels in Side, we also have 4* hotels, 3* hotels and apartments, and 2* hotels and apartments in Side. In short, whatever sort of accommodation you are looking for in beautiful Side, we have got it at the lowest prices guaranteed.

•Cheap Flights to Side: We have cheap flights to Side.

The flight takes around 4 hours from UK airports.

•Car hire in Side: There's so much to explore here and Side covers quite a large area, so hiring a car in Side will give you a lot more options for getting around to discover unspoilt beaches, local villages and the Roman ruins. We can offer great deals on car hire in Side so check us out when completing your holiday booking.

•Transfers to your hotel in Side: We can book your transfers from the airport to your hotel in Side. We can also book UK airport car parks online, plus travel insurance and currency exchange for your holiday.

•Side Hotel Reviews: Written exclusively by genuine customers who have booked and stayed in the hotel.

Back Home