Interesting sights of side in Turkey. What to see in Side - a museum city and a fashionable resort in Turkey

Turkey is one of the countries that attract the Russian traveler the most. Only because of recent events, the flow of tourists has decreased significantly. But this does not put an end to this resort. I want to introduce you to a small Turkish town called Side.

Who is the city of Side?

Side - relatively small town, and the name of the “city” in our understanding falls a little short. By Chinese standards, this is generally a very small village.

This ancient greek city which is now a resort.

The population of Side is 11,000 people.

It is located on southwest coast mediterranean sea, near the city of Antalya.

But it is not the size of the city itself that attracts us, and not the number of people living in it year-round. Rather, a tourist can be attracted by several other points that he wishes to brighten up his vacation, namely Side and attractions.

How to get to Side

In order to stay in Turkey for more than three months, a tourist needs a visa. This can be done using the site vizaweek.ru.

Usually a tourist ends up in Side traditional way- by air by plane. Then he is transferred to a bus that takes him to his destination.

The road from the airport takes 1.5 - 2 hours.

The path runs along the coastal valley along the Mediterranean coast, and you will see the mountains on the left side of the movement only on the horizon. All the time on your way to the hotel there will be gardens and small villages.

The peninsula ends with two breakwaters, forming a bay - a refuge for sailors.

The closest city to Side, which merges with it, is Manavgat, a modern building of almost ideal rectangular blocks with a fairly developed infrastructure.

What to see in Side

Self walk

In Side, you can easily visit the sights on your own, you just need to choose a day and agree with a taxi driver or plan walking tour but it will take too long. In the city districts there are many interesting places. For example, you can visit the City Walls of Side. You can get to them by bus number 639. They were built in the second century BC. It is amazing that they have survived to this day. These walls surround Old Side, which also should not be ignored.

Visit the local market. Oriental sweets, souvenirs, magnets - all this will appear to your eyes. Do not try to buy for the price that the seller announced to you! Bargain as if you have the last ruble in your pocket. In extreme cases, apologize and move on, and on the way back, offer the seller an amount exactly two times less than the previous one. Seeing that you are already leaving the market, you will still be offered to buy the goods at the price that you yourself named.

Sights of Side. Organized excursions

In the vicinity of the city, at a distance of no more than 25 km, there are also many attractions. Here without organized excursion getting around is hard, at least if you don't rent a car.

green canyon

The first thing that is recommended to visit is a green canyon with a reservoir, along which pleasure boats ply, and the landscapes around are so beautiful that you will never forget this place. If you wish, you can swim in fresh water, although the water temperature in this place is somewhat cooler than the sea. Taking an excursion to the green canyon, along the way you will visit several more ruined, uninhabited, ancient cities— Perge, Seleucia.

Amphitheater

The ancient city of Side itself is a godsend for the tourist, and it has several interesting places that have survived to this day.

First of all, it is the old antique amphitheater Aspendos. It is not as big as the Roman Colosseum, but is of particular interest. Plunging into it, going down the ancient stone steps to the very bottom, you will feel the weight of the centuries and you can imagine the actions of harlequins and comedians who have gone into oblivion.

Greek temple

Walking along the old streets to the port of Side, you will definitely see the remains of the ancient Greek temple of Apollo: several columns and a preserved pylon between them. The temple is located on the very shore and you may get the impression that it merges with the sea, as if coming out of it. The columns are reminiscent of Sevastopol Chersonese, and this is not surprising, because their builders were the ancient Greeks, except that in Side they are much higher.

The apostle Paul once preached in this temple, so this place has not only a sightseeing meaning.

Side Museum

In the immediate vicinity there is another attraction that will be useful and interesting for you.

The museum contains all the valuable finds. Most of the exhibits date from 1947-1967, at which time excavations took place in the city. The museum consists of three rooms. The first one presents sundial, bas-reliefs of the Hellenistic period and an ancient altar. In the second room, you can get acquainted with various torsos that date back to the Roman period. In the third hall, amphoras and statues of the Hellenistic era flaunt.

In summer, you will plunge into the life-giving coolness, as the museum is located in the ancient Roman baths. A visit to the museum is paid: from an adult they charge an entrance fee of 15 lira, for children it is free.

The Turkish resort of Side, located on the Mediterranean coast, is a small and cozy town With rich history. It was founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC. The city passed from one conqueror to another, but the Romans did the most for its benefit. Today, tourists can admire the architectural sights of the Roman period all over Side.

Due to the hot climate, long coastline, quality beaches and developed infrastructure The resort has long gained popularity among travelers from different countries. Here are the big hotel complexes, working on an all-inclusive basis, small boutique hotels, apartments and villas - everyone can find accommodation to their taste.

The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see and where to go in Side?

The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and a short description.

ancient temple Greek god Apollo is the main attraction of Side. It was built in the II century. The structure stood for almost 800 years before the earthquake of the 10th century. Today, the once majestic building lies in ruins - only part of the facade with five columns has survived from it. The remains of the temple are located on the seashore, they harmoniously fit into the picturesque coastal landscape.

Presumably, the amphitheater was built during the era of Roman rule, when Side was part of a prosperous trading colony. The building has survived quite well to this day, despite its considerable age. The stone stands, which could accommodate up to 20 thousand spectators, the stage and the walls survived many centuries of history. The amphitheater in Side is the best preserved structure of its kind in Turkey.

Small Archaeological Museum with an entertaining exposition, which contains artifacts of the ancient era (Hellenistic and Roman periods), found during excavations. Most archaeologists discovered objects in the 20th century. Statues, sarcophagi, reliefs, elements of urban structures are exhibited here. The collection is housed in three halls of a room that used to house Roman baths.

The city walls are the remains defensive structures II century BC. The fortifications are on the mainland side. That part of them, which was located from the side of the bay, has not survived to this day. Over the centuries, the walls have been destroyed and rebuilt many times, so today they look like a heap independent buildings different eras, consisting of several levels.

The gate is located in the northern part of the city, through which you can get into the historical part of Side. From the arch begins the main street of the ancient colony. The building was erected in the 1st century in honor of the Roman emperor Vespasian. It was a grand structure, reaching a length of 6 meters. Over time, the gates were badly destroyed, but even now, from what remains of them, one can appreciate the monumentality of Roman architecture.

A three-story structure over 5 meters high, which adorned the Roman city for many years. Once along the marble niches of the fountain, surrounded by Corinthian columns and antique statues streams of water flowed, shimmering brightly in the rays of the gentle Mediterranean sun. Leftovers today former luxury continue to impress the audience and make them plunge headlong into the atmosphere of the ancient era.

One of the important achievements of Roman civilization is a well-functioning plumbing system, which ensured the delivery of water to cities using stone aqueducts. These structures stand all over the Mediterranean, reminding of the greatness and progress of a bygone civilization. Side also has its own aqueduct. Its length was about 30 km, of which 13 km were laid through tunnels.

A 13th-century bridge on the Kopruchay River, built on the site of an old Roman building during the time of the Seljuk Turks. The length of the structure is 225 meters, the width is 4.5 - 5.7 meters. It consists of five wide stone arches. From the side, the bridge looks humpbacked, as over time its supports have shifted from their original location. Aspendos is on the way to the amphitheater, it is worth stopping here to admire the picturesque river banks.

The waterfall is located in the city of the same name, located next door in Side. It stands in the very center, which suggests that this attraction is not natural origin. Manavgat is a construction of several stairs and platforms made in the form of ancient ruins. At the very top there is observation platform from where you can admire the surroundings of the town.

City beaches are divided into two sections: the western (public) zone, located along the promenade and the eastern, which is distributed between hotels. The first has all the necessary available infrastructure, the second service is provided by a specific hotel. All beaches are covered with coarse golden sand, have comfortable descent into the water and perfectly adapted for a comfortable stay.

Side is one of the most famous resorts on mediterranean coast Turkey. It is located ~75 km from Antalya.

The Roman history of Side left a significant imprint in the life of this city. Side is a museum open sky, because many ancient buildings have survived to our times. The main sights of Side are located in the old town. Among them are the market square - the Agora and the Amphitheatre; ruins of the temples of Apollo and Athena, Roman baths.

Our hotel was located on the embankment, about 4 km from the old town. The promenade of Side is a favorite place for recreation and walks of all tourists of this small resort. However, as in any seaside resort :-) Palm trees are planted almost along the entire embankment, there are many cafes and various shops, which mainly sell various souvenirs. Near the pier in the old town, many wooden yachts that look like old pirate ships are moored.

To see the city ruins and sights, we went on foot at 16-17 hours, so that it was not so hot. Closer to the old city along the embankment, fortress walls appeared that protected the city. The walk along the embankment to the first object took about 40 minutes and we ended up at the Arched Gate.

The arched gates of Side today are the main ones in the city. The height of the city gates is about six meters. In old Side, the road leading from the gate is considered main street. Entering the gate you will see the Roman semicircular theater. Opera concerts are now held in the ruins of the theater. We didn’t manage to get into the theater itself, and I didn’t see a single person inside. Walking a little to the side along the fence, you can climb a small hill and open beautiful view to the theatre. This hill from a ruin in ancient times was market square Agora.

Having admired the views, we returned to the gate and went through them in the other direction, to the cape of the peninsula. We decided to walk the streets inside the city, be careful, there are many dead ends. Having strayed through the streets, we finally reached the cape to one of the most important sights of the Side embankment - ancient greek temple Apollo. From the temple to the present day, due to frequent earthquakes, only five huge round columns have survived. The ruins of the temple are located in picturesque place on the very shore of the bay and are rightfully considered one of the most romantic sights. Near the temple, we met a stunning sunset, the columns of the temple began to be illuminated by searchlights. The view is amazing!!

We laid the way back from the temple to the beginning of the old city along the embankment - boats, cafes, music, a lot of people walking. And then by taxi in 10 minutes we were at the hotel.

Side - small town in Turkey. Here is one of the most popular resorts Mediterranean, rich in architectural objects and bewitching landscapes. Resort visitors are attracted not only the cleanest beaches Side, attractions, but also many unusual seafood dishes. The infrastructure and tourism business are well developed here.

It is the most visited place for tourists. It was created during the construction of the reservoir. The waterfall is only 2 meters high and 40 meters wide. Along its banks there are many shops, cafes and restaurants where you can try unusual seafood dishes. There are also souvenir shops for visitors. The view here is very beautiful, but to visit it is advisable to book an excursion and a guide.

Roman theater

One of the biggest sights of Side is the ancient theatre, built in the second century. In Pamthia, it was considered the largest and accommodated about twenty thousand visitors. Gladiator fights took place here. In the 6th century, there was an open-air church on the site of the theater. Currently, concerts of opera performers are held on the ruins of the amphitheater. The rows of the theater are located in the form of a semicircle and are divided horizontally by a wide passage.

Fountain Nymphaeum

He is one of architectural monuments that have survived to our times. The fountain was built in honor of the Roman emperor in the middle of the 2nd century BC and was a structure 5 meters high. It consisted of three tiers, but today only two have survived. Outside, the fountain is lined with marble and decorated with frescoes. Water was supplied from a specially built aqueduct. The structure itself was decorated with columns.

The city of Side is the largest archaeological area. All valuable and amazing items found during the excavations are stored in the Museum of Ancient Art. There are numerous statues and sarcophagi here. Children's sarcophagi are of particular interest to tourists. The butterflies depicted on them personified the souls of children, or the image of a dog looking out of the door denoted their mother. You can see the statue of Artemis, the head of Apollo, made of light marble, and many other exhibits.

Side is a fashionable resort in the southern part of Turkey (75 km from Antalya). The city-museum under the open sky preserves the memory of ancient times, presenting to tourists interesting sculptures and architectural monuments (statue of the Roman emperor Vespasian, agora, aqueducts, etc.).

Holidays in Side will allow you to get acquainted with the neighboring ancient cities, visit the "Cotton Castle" (the eighth wonder of the world).

Fans of extreme sports are waiting for a safari in the mountains in jeeps and rafting on a mountain river.

For self inspection surroundings, car rentals are available.

There are luxury hotels of various categories here: from high-level complexes to aparthotels. They offer a lot of services and entertainment.

Will please the resort and lovers beach holiday, giving them a warm sea and fine sand.

What to see in Side and around

In order not to miss anything interesting and fruitfully spend your vacation, we will dwell on tourist sites offered by the resort.

Side is the most mysterious city in Turkey.

Amphitheater

This the oldest monument architecture two thousand years old. Its walls once held about eighteen thousand spectators.

You can visit the theater during the day and in the evening, when the mega building is lit up with beautiful illumination (opening hours from 9:00 to 18:45). You will spend an hour or two on a leisurely inspection.

touch to centuries of history available for only 5 euros.

Do not be lazy to climb to the top row. From there opens beautiful panorama on the sea, the city and the following tourist places:

• baths of the city;
• fountain "Nymphaeum";
• Hellenic gates;
• Temple of Apollo
• Temple of Athena
• Altar of the Goddess of Fortune.

Get to Antique Side not difficult. It is enough to call a taxi to the hotel or use dolmushe (city public transport). trip from anyone resort area will only take a couple of minutes. This circumstance allows you to see the amphitheater with your child.

Warn the taxi driver that you need to drop off at Antik Side.

Travel cost to architectural complex varies between 15 euros for a taxi (depending on distance) and about 2 euros for public transport.

To feel comfortable on a walk, it is recommended to take the following things with you:

• headdress;
• sunburn protection cream;
• drinking water.

Side Museum

The museum is located near the amphitheater. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the collection is stored in ancient Roman baths, which are one and a half thousand years old.

Your attention here will offer an acquaintance with the archaeological finds of the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The largest of them are located on the street:

• columns,
• capitals,
• statues of the gods of Greece.

The three rooms present:

• small artifacts,
• tombs with remains
• sarcophagi,
• decorations,
• household items.

See the exhibits really for an hour and a half.

A full ticket to the museum costs about 5 euros. For younger visitors, admission is free.

A nice addition is a booklet in Russian for Slavic guests.

Travelers with children will like the garden laid out around, where bright hens and roosters leisurely walk among green vegetation and statues.

What excursions to visit

Taking into account the diverse interests of the guests, we offer a list of diverse excursions. Many of them can be visited with a child..

Urban hammam Keyf

An ideal place for those who like to give rest to the body. You can spend a day or even two on recovery in this paradise.

The large complex offers the following services:

• two swimming pools (on the terrace and in the building);
• steam rooms;
• massage rooms;
• salt cave;
• bar, etc.

A visit to the hammam, steam room, sauna, scrub treatments and foam massage for twenty minutes will cost adults approximately 20 euros, and young clients aged seven to twelve will be charged 10 euros, children under six years of age do not need to pay.

You need to get to Belek Square.

Rest on the Green Lake

This pastime will delight nature lovers. A good option for family holidays.

The tour includes interesting entertainment:

• fishing;
• boating;
• swimming in the lake;
• Buffet.

Guests are accommodated in a boat that floats on the lake, then turns around and goes to the platform (the walk takes about 50 minutes). There is usually a stop. Everyone is invited to swim. For a fun pastime, you can ride a banana.

This is followed by fishing on the shore.

At this time, mothers with children can meet the local rabbit and donkey, ride an unusual swing (a wheel on a rope) or a canoe.

At sunset, visitors are invited to dinner, where wild boar and fish caught the day before, prepared according to local recipes, are served. There is an opportunity to try lamb on a spit, delicious salads and strong vodka.

The tour ends with a large fire, around which everyone gathers and has fun to the music.

For adults this tour will cost around 44 euros, for children aged 7-12 years - 22 euros, for preschoolers - free of charge.

The trip to the lake will not take much time, because it is only twenty kilometers from Side. Entrance to the territory of the reserve is paid - about one euro.