Travel Guide 2025

Side

Where Antiquity Meets the Mediterranean

25.000 Einwohner
75 min ab Antalya
300+ Sonnentage
28°C Ø Sommer
24°C Wassertemp.
Apr-Okt Beste Zeit

The Region in 60 Seconds

Side understanding

Side is a living open-air museum right by the sea. This small peninsula was once the most important slave market of antiquity – today it's one of Turkey's most charming seaside resorts. Greek columns next to beach clubs, a Roman theater with sea views, and the legendary Temple of Apollo at sunset. Plus miles of sandy beaches on both sides. Side achieves what few places can: perfectly combining touchable history with beach vacation.

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Weather & Water Temperature

The best time for your visit

Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Air °C15°15°18°21°26°31°34°34°31°26°20°16°
Water °C17°17°17°19°22°25°28°29°27°24°21°18°
Sun (h/day)56791113131210865
Rainy days121085310014711
Air temperature Water temperature Sunshine hours Rainy days

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Recommended local partners · Side

Carefully selected by the Coastiva editorial team

Sieh dir unseren empfohlenen Partner in Side mit Bildergalerie und allen Details an.
View all partners

§ 03 / Chapter

Tours from Side

Organized by us, experienced by you

Blue Voyage Boat Tour

From €89

Whitewater Rafting

From €59

tour_green_canyon_name

From €69

Pamukkale Thermal Pools

From €129
Alle Touren ansehen

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Must-See

8 places you must see

Ancient Ruins

Temple of Apollo

THE postcard motif of the Turkish Riviera. Five Corinthian columns facing the Mediterranean – especially magical at sunset. A must for every Side visitor.

Arrive 30 min before sunset. Afterwards dinner with temple view at the nearby restaurant.
1-2 Std. Free

Ancient Theater

Roman Theater

The largest theater in Pamphylia, seating 15,000 spectators. Unique: it was built on vaulted substructures, not into a hillside.

Come in the morning – fewer tourists, better light for photos from the top.
1-2 Std. 150₺

Ancient Ruins

Agora & State Agora

Former marketplace and center of ancient life. The remains of the colonnades convey the grandeur of ancient Side.

Combine with museum visit – the museum is located right in the Agora.
1 Std. Free

Museum

Side Museum

Housed in the restored Roman baths. Exquisite collection of statues, sarcophagi and reliefs from the region.

Small but excellent – doable in 1 hour. The courtyard is particularly beautiful.
1-2 Std. 100₺

Harbor

Ancient Harbor

The picturesque harbor was once the center of the slave trade. Today boat tours depart here and fishermen sell their catch.

Perfect for evening sundowners at one of the harbor bars with views of the Temple of Apollo.
1-2 Std. Free

Nature

Manavgat Waterfall

15 minutes from Side. Not tall, but very wide and powerful. Pleasantly cool in summer, surrounded by restaurants and tea gardens.

Come in the morning, before the tour buses. Trout lunch at the restaurant with waterfall view.
2-3 Std. 80₺

Old Town

Old Town Alleys

Winding alleys with boutiques, restaurants and ancient ruins in between. The mix of history and tourism makes Side unique.

In the side streets you'll find more authentic shops and better prices.
2-3 Std. Free

Beach

Kumköy

3 km west of Side. Endless sandy beach, family-friendly, many all-inclusive resorts. The contrast program to the historic old town.

Perfect for families with children – shallow water, lots of space, all amenities.
Halbtag Free

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Beaches

Honestly reviewed

Lebendig

West Beach (Poniente)

Im Zentrum

Perfect for: Familien, Paare

The main beach west of the old town. Fine sand, shallow entry, perfect for families. Many beach clubs and restaurants right on the beach.

LiegenDuschenBarsWassersport

Liege 150-250₺

In the evening, watch the sunset behind the Temple of Apollo from the beach.
Ruhiger

East Beach (Levante)

Im Zentrum

Perfect for: Ruhesuchende

East of the peninsula, slightly quieter than the west beach. Crystal clear water, fewer beach clubs. Good for those seeking peace.

LiegenRestaurantDuschen

Liege 100-200₺

Bring snorkeling gear – often fish among the rocks.
Familienfreundlich

Kumköy Beach

3 km westlich

Perfect for: Familien, All-Inclusive

The all-inclusive beach. Miles of sandy shore, lined with large resort hotels. Perfect infrastructure for families.

HotelsWassersportRestaurants

Meist Hotel-Strand

Also accessible for non-hotel guests – public beach access between hotels.
Naturbelassen

Sorgun Beach

5 km östlich

Perfect for: Naturliebhaber

Unique: The beach borders a pine forest. Natural, shaded, perfect for those wanting to escape mass tourism.

PinienwaldRuhigNaturstrand

Kostenlos

Bring mosquito repellent! The forest is beautiful, but so are the insects.

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Shopping

Where to buy, what to buy, how to bargain

Side offers the typical tourist mix of souvenirs, leather goods and jewelry. For real bargains, the trip to Manavgat Market is worth it.

Side Bazaar

Souvenirs, Textilien, Schmuck

Altstadt Side

Classic tourist trap – negotiate prices, never pay the first price!

Manavgat Markt

Obst, Gemüse, Gewürze, Kleidung

Manavgat (Mo & Do)

THE market day! Huge, authentic, spices cheaper than anywhere. Come early.

Nova Mall

Marken, Elektronik, Food Court

Manavgat Zentrum

Air-conditioned alternative for branded clothing and electronics.

Antikhändler Altstadt

Teppiche, Antiquitäten, Kunst

Side Altstadt

For genuine antiques and hand-knotted carpets – with expertise!

Haggling like a pro

Show interest, but not too much. Never accept the first price.
Ask for the price, react surprised ("Çok pahalı!" = Too expensive!)
Offer 40-50% of the stated price. Seller will decline.
Walk slowly towards the door. The real price comes now.
Meet at 60-70% of the original price. Handshake, çay, deal!

No haggling in shopping malls, supermarkets and restaurants. Only at bazaars and small shops.

What to buy – and what not

Spices
Much cheaper than at home, fresher
Turkish Tea & Coffee
Authentic, great souvenir
Lokum (Turkish Delight)
But only from quality shops
Olive Oil
Excellent quality, affordable
Leather goods
Quality varies greatly, check carefully
Gold & Silver
Only from reputable dealers with certificate
Carpets
Risky without expertise, shipping complicated
Fake brands
Illegal, customs risk on return

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Practical Info

Everything you need to know on site

Getting Around

Dolmuş
Cheap, frequent, authentic. Route is shown in front. Get in, pass money forward, shout "İnecek var!" when you want to get off.
15-30₺
Taxi
Modern tram system. AntalyaKart needed (at kiosks, 50₺ + credit). Connects airport, bus station, center, Konyaaltı.
50-150₺
Mietwagen
Yellow taxis everywhere. ALWAYS ask for taximeter ("Taksimetre lütfen"). 50% surcharge at night.
Ab 40€/Tag
Bootstour
Turkey's Uber alternative. See price upfront, save credit card, no taximeter fraud.
Ab 200₺

Money & Payment

  • Currency: Turkish Lira (₺). Exchange rate fluctuates – check daily!
  • Credit cards work almost everywhere (Visa, Mastercard). Amex rare.
  • ATMs (Bankamatik) everywhere. Always withdraw in Lira, never in Euro!
  • Exchange offices (Döviz) have better rates than hotels or airport.
  • Tipping: Restaurant 10%, taxi round up, hotel 20-50₺ per day.

Safety

  • Antalya is very safe for tourists. Normal caution as everywhere.
  • Kaleiçi well-lit and lively at night.
  • Watch out for pickpockets in crowds.
  • Taximeter fraud most common tourist annoyance – always insist!
  • Don't drink tap water. Bottles are cheap (5-10₺).

SIM Card & Internet

Turkish SIM at Turkcell, Vodafone or Türk Telekom. Shops at airport or in town. Bring passport! Tourist package approx. 300-500₺ for 20GB. Or: buy eSIM before departure (Airalo, Holafly).

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Turkish for Tourists

Few words, big impact

Turks love it when you try a few words of their language. Perfect pronunciation doesn't matter – it's the effort that counts!

Basics

MerhabaHallo
GünaydınGuten Morgen
TeşekkürlerDanke
LütfenBitte
Evet / HayırJa / Nein
Hoşça kalAuf Wiedersehen
AffedersinizEntschuldigung
Nasılsınız?Wie geht es Ihnen?

At the Restaurant

Hesap lütfenDie Rechnung bitte
Çok lezzetliSehr lecker
SuWasser
BiraBier
ŞarapWein
Kahve / ÇayKaffee / Tee
MenüSpeisekarte
Afiyet olsunGuten Appetit

Shopping

Ne kadar?Wieviel kostet das?
Çok pahalıZu teuer
İndirim var mı?Gibt es Rabatt?
TamamOK / Einverstanden
Sadece bakıyorumIch schaue nur
Kredi kartıKreditkarte
NakitBargeld
Fiş lütfenQuittung bitte

On the Go

Nerede?Wo ist...?
Sağ / SolRechts / Links
DüzGeradeaus
Yakın / UzakNah / Weit
OtogarBusbahnhof
PlajStrand
Taksimetre lütfenTaxameter bitte
İnecek var!Ich möchte aussteigen!

Emergency

İmdat!Hilfe!
PolisPolizei
HastaneKrankenhaus
DoktorArzt
EczaneApotheke
AcilNotfall

Numbers

Bir, iki, üç1, 2, 3
Dört, beş, altı4, 5, 6
Yedi, sekiz, dokuz7, 8, 9
On, yirmi, elli10, 20, 50
Yüz100
Bin1000
The most important phrase: "Taksimetre lütfen!" (Taximeter please!) – saves you from overcharged taxi fares.

§ 09 / Chapter

In Emergency

Save these numbers – just in case

112
Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
155
Police
110
Fire Department
156
Tourist Police (English-speaking)

Hospitals

Manavgat Devlet Hastanesi

Public Hospital

Manavgat Zentrum

+90 242 746 1010

Nearest large hospital. Emergency 24/7.

Özel Side Hospital

Private Clinic

Side-Manavgat Straße

+90 242 753 8888

Right in Side. English, fast, ideal for tourists.

Medical Park Antalya

Private Clinic

Antalya (45 Min.)

+90 242 314 3434

For more complex cases. 45 min drive to Antalya.

Pharmacies (Eczane)

Green cross = pharmacy. Many medicines available without prescription. Nights/Sundays: "Nöbetçi Eczane" (on-duty pharmacy) – list posted at every pharmacy.

Germany

Deutsches Honorarkonsulat Antalya
Güllük Cad. 18, Antalya
Phone: +90 242 314 1101

Side on the map

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