Side holiday guide: Roman ruins, sandy beaches & all-inclusive resorts

A By Anna · Updated 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

Airports

Antalya (AYT)

Best time to go

May-June and September-October

Type

City

Side combines two things that rarely come together so neatly: a genuine ancient city and a classic sandy beach holiday. Its small peninsula is scattered with Roman columns, a huge theatre and the seaside Temple of Apollo, while the coast on either side is lined with long, gently shelving beaches and large all-inclusive hotels.

It's one of the most popular Turkish resorts with UK families. Flights to Antalya take about 4h15 from London, Turkey is two hours ahead of the UK in summer and three in winter, plugs are the two round-pin type and cars drive on the right. See our Turkey guide for more on the country.

Where to stay

• Side old town – a handful of small hotels and guesthouses among the ruins, with restaurants and shops along the lanes. Atmospheric in the evening, but busy with day-trippers by day.
• Kumköy – just west of the old town, with a long sandy beach, mid-range hotels and bars. Walkable or a short dolmuş ride to the old town.
• Sorgun and Titreyengöl – pine forest backing onto the beach east of Side, with larger resorts and a calmer feel.
• Evrenseki, Kızılağaç and Çolaklı – long stretches of sand further from town, home to many big all-inclusive resorts with water parks and kids' clubs.
• Nearby alternatives – Belek for golf and luxury, or Alanya for nightlife and lower prices.

Things to do

1. Temple of Apollo – beautiful at sunset, when the columns are silhouetted against the sea.
2. Ancient theatre and Side Museum – a vast Roman theatre and a museum housed in old Roman baths.
3. Manavgat Waterfall and river – wide, low falls a short drive away, often combined with a river boat trip and Manavgat's Monday market.
4. Aspendos – one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, about 40 minutes west.
5. Boat trips – half-day and full-day trips along the coast with swimming stops.
6. Green Canyon – boat trips across a turquoise reservoir in the Taurus Mountains.
7. Köprülü Canyon rafting – an easy, fun white-water trip suitable for older children.

Best time to visit

Late May to June and September to October bring warm sea and pleasant heat. July and August are very hot, often 35 °C or more, but ideal if you plan to stay by the pool. The sea is usually warm enough for swimming from May until early November. Winter is mild but many resorts close.

Getting there

Fly to Antalya (AYT), which has direct flights from most UK airports in summer. The transfer to Side takes about an hour to 1h15, depending on where your hotel is; Kızılağaç and Çolaklı are a little further. Shared transfers included in packages can take longer as they drop off at several hotels.

British passport holders don't currently need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days, and passports should be valid for at least 150 days from arrival. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Getting around

Dolmuş minibuses run regularly between the resort areas, Side old town and Manavgat, and are very cheap. Taxis are easy to find. Most excursions include hotel pick-ups, so a hire car is only needed if you want to explore independently.

Top attractions in Side

Landmark

Hagia Sophia

Istanbul's 1,500-year-old former cathedral and imperial mosque, with a vast dome and glittering Byzantine mosaics.

Side on the map

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.