Side Town: The Meeting Point of History and Natural Beauty

Antalya's tourist center, Side, is one of the most popular destinations among locals and tourists alike. With its rich history and natural beauty, Side offers numerous interesting places to visit. Here are the main attractions in Side:

Ancient City of Side Manavgat Waterfall Titreyengöl Lake Side Museum Side Theatre Temple of Apollo

Ancient City of Side The distance from Alanya to the ancient city of Side is 65.3 km by car. The name Side in ancient Greek means "pomegranate" and is located on a peninsula on the coast of Antalya. Entrance to the ancient city of Side is free, and there are areas that can be visited with or without a museum card. In the ancient city, you can see statues, temples, historical artifacts, marble structures, carved stones, city gates, an agora, an ancient theater, baths, houses, temples, and basilicas from the Greek period.

Who lived in the ancient city of Side? One of the first questions that arises when visiting the ancient city of Side is who lived here and during which periods. According to inscriptions and findings, the ancient city of Side was inhabited by Greeks, Lydians, Persians, Romans, Seljuks, and Ottomans. Over the centuries, Side was an important trading and port city, holding strategic significance for many civilizations.

Ancient Theatre of Side The ancient theater of Side is one of the most popular attractions in Side. The theater is located in the ancient city, within walking distance from the center of Side. This theater, one of the best-preserved ancient theaters, is built in three tiers and can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. The interior of the theater is decorated with Baroque ornaments from the Antonine era.

Temple of Apollo The Temple of Apollo was built around 150 AD in honor of the Roman god of music and light, Apollo. Here you can see five standing columns, which were restored in 2017. The Temple of Apollo is one of the most visited and photographed places by tourists. Many Turkish TV series have also been filmed in this charming atmosphere. During the day, under the sunlight, the massive columns create a beautiful sight against the blue sky, and at night, surrounded by stars, the temple looks even more enchanting.

Side, with its rich history and natural beauty, offers visitors unforgettable experiences.