Things to Do in Side: Culture, Sights & Adventures

Side is one of Turkey's most atmospheric coastal towns, a place where a Roman city and a modern beach resort share the same small peninsula. You can wander past two-thousand-year-old columns in the morning, swim off a golden beach at midday, and watch the sun set behind marble temple ruins in the evening. That blend of genuine ancient history and easygoing Mediterranean holiday is exactly why Side has drawn travellers for generations.

A Short History of Side

Founded by Greek settlers and later flourishing under Rome, Side was once a major Mediterranean port and trading centre. The town sits on a small peninsula that pushes out into the sea, and much of its ancient street plan is still visible today. Walking through the old town, you pass ruins and lived-in streets side by side, which gives Side its unusual, layered character.

Top Sights & Culture

The ancient theatre is Side's showpiece, a large Roman amphitheatre that once seated thousands and still dominates the entrance to the old town. From there, the colonnaded street leads down toward the water, lined with the remains of shops and monuments.

• Temple of Apollo & Athena — Side's most photographed landmark. The re-erected marble columns stand right at the tip of the peninsula, and at sunset they turn gold against the sea. It is free to walk up to and one of the most beautiful spots on the whole coast.
• Side Archaeological Museum — housed in the restored Roman baths, it displays statues, sarcophagi and everyday objects found in and around the ancient city.
• The old-town harbour — the heart of Side's evening life, ringed with cafés, seafood restaurants and small boats, and a fine place to watch the light fade over the temple.

Beaches & Nature

Side is framed by long, sandy beaches on both sides of its peninsula. The western shore offers softer sand and calmer swimming, while the eastern side stretches toward Sorgun with quieter, pine-backed stretches. The warm, shallow water and gentle gradient make the beaches especially good for families. Just inland, the Manavgat river and its well-known waterfall add a splash of freshwater greenery a short drive away.

Adventures & Day Trips

Side is a superb base for exploring the wider Antalya region, and the standout adventure is a white-water rafting day trip in the nearby canyons of the Taurus Mountains. It is the perfect counterpoint to a day among ruins: cool mountain water, forested gorges and a real jolt of adrenaline, all within easy reach.

• Köprülü Canyon rafting (Class II–III) is the family-friendly classic — fun, splashy rapids suitable for first-timers and children, floating through a dramatic pine-clad gorge.
• Tazı Canyon rafting (Class IV–V) is the serious, adrenaline-charged option for confident adventurers who want bigger water and steeper drops.
• Prefer to mix it up? Combo day trips pair rafting with zip-lining, quad or buggy rides for a full day of action.

Rafting tours start from around €20, include a free hotel transfer from Side, and cover guides, gear and insurance — you simply pay on the tour day. See all our Antalya day tours to plan your trip.

For culture lovers, two more classic day trips lie close by: the remarkably intact Roman theatre at Aspendos, still used for performances, and the riverside town of Manavgat with its waterfall and market.

Practical Tips

The best time to visit Side is April to October, when the sea is warm and the rafting season is in full swing; high summer is hot and lively, while spring and autumn are gentler for sightseeing. The old town is compact and best explored on foot, as much of it is pedestrianised. For day trips into the mountains and canyons, an organised tour with transfer is the easiest option.

Whether you come for the ruins, the beaches or the rush of the rapids, Side rewards you either way. Ready to add a splash of adventure to your trip? Book a rafting day trip from Side and see the mountains behind the coast.