How to get from Antalya Airport to Side? Alone in antique Side from Titreyengol

Side - popular seaside resort Turkish Mediterranean. It is located between the larger and no less favorite tourists Antalya and Alanya. The town is small, but strips of beaches and hotels stretch on both sides of the center. Moreover, in this tourist area usually include nearby resort villages.

In this part of the country, Turkish cuisine is Mediterranean culinary traditions influenced especially strongly - they cook a lot of unusual dishes from fish and seafood.

The main direction is beach holiday. However a large number of ruins of ancient buildings attract fans to Side excursion tourism. The city was founded by the ancient Greeks, on a small cape there are many evidences of their stay here - an amphitheater, a bathhouse, temples, a market square, fragments of walls and much more.

How to get to Side

The nearest airport to Side is in Antalya, but for those who do not like to fly or are not in a hurry, there are other routes - by land and sea.

By plane

Air communication connects Antalya with Rostov-on-Don, Magnitogorsk, Omsk, Sochi and other cities. Scheduled capital airports Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo have direct flights from Aeroflot and Turkish Airline. The cost of round-trip tickets starts from 300 USD, travel time is 3.5 hours. You can fly cheaper, but longer and with transfers in Istanbul and Ankara - from 260 USD, the journey will take 5.5-18 hours. The flight is organized by Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Aeroflot, Airfrance and Belavia run from Pulkovo in St. Petersburg. All flights with 1-2 transfers in Moscow, Paris, Istanbul and Minsk. A round trip ticket - from 310 USD, time costs - 10-14 hours.

From air gate Antalya to Side is about an hour away by car. Taxi drivers are on duty at the exit of the terminals, a trip to the hotel will cost from 350 TRY. Regular minibuses run from the bus station near the airport - dolmushi - 14 TRY.

Search for flights to the city of Antalya (nearest airport to Side)

By bus

You will have to spend more than 3 days on the way. There are many options - through Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia and other countries. You can get to the Georgian resort of Batumi - from Moscow a one-way ticket will cost 100 USD, the journey will take 48 hours. Then you need to transfer to the bus to Antalya of the Turkish carrier Metro (off. site in English), spending another 26 hours and 25-37 USD. And from there - in Side by taxi or dolmush.

Traveling by bus in Turkey is comfortable - all cars are equipped with air conditioning, TVs, and Wi-Fi is available on some routes.

On a ferryboat

From the sea passenger port Sochi every Tuesday and Friday, high-speed ships depart for Trabzon (off. site of the carrier "Olympia Line"). The cruise lasts 4.5 hours, the ticket costs 130 EUR. Then you have to take a bus to Antalya - 21 hours and 120 TRY one way.

Districts of Side

Side resort stretches for 20 km along the Turkish Mediterranean in both directions from a small cape - the historical center of the ancient Greek city. It is there that most of the attractions are concentrated. Those wishing to combine beach and sightseeing vacation better to stay nearby.

To the west of the center is the popular tourist area. It is clean and beautiful, but in high season- very crowded beaches. There are many hotels and hotel complexes. Large selection of housing on the first coastline, prices for a double room range from 300 to 1000 TRY.

There are also several hotels to the east of the peninsula - from 140 to 1000 TRY per night. The beaches here are less lively, this area is usually chosen by adherents of secluded relaxation. However, it is easy to get to the historical center from here, so there will be no problems with excursions.

For those who want to relax on a budget, it is better to look for accommodation near the historical center. A 5-15 minute walk from the coast you can find rooms for 100-160 TRY per day.

On both sides of Side there are several settlements, which are sometimes included in this resort area. In Cholakly there are beaches convenient and safe for children, in Kyzylagach there is a market with a large selection of souvenirs and resort hotels For family vacation, in Kumkoy - youth clubs and parties until the morning.

Transport

You can move around Side by local minibuses - dolmushes - or taxis. There are no special tourist passes, as well as tickets - the fare is paid to the driver upon landing. Travel around the city and nearby settlements will cost 3-5 TRY. Minibuses run from 5:00-7:00 to 22:00-1:00, the network is well developed - it is easy to get to the center even from the most remote areas. In the high season, transport is crowded.

The city has an official taxi - yellow cars with an inscription on the ceiling. Drivers willingly stop on the street, but you can also order a car at the hotel reception. The cost depends on the distance - 3 TRY per landing and 1.50-2.60 TRY per km. Recognizing a tourist as a passenger, taxi drivers sometimes overestimate it. The same with foreign currency - dollars and euros are accepted for payment, but the exchange rate is unfavorable. You can protect yourself by demonstrating your awareness. All taxi fares are fixed, cars are equipped with meters. When landing, it is better to remind the driver to turn it on. You should also carefully check the change from a large bill.

Many hotels in Side offer bicycles for rent, and there are specialized rental shops in nearby Manavgat. They cost 20 TRY per hour, plus 1 TRY for the helmet.

Rent a Car

Those who plan to visit many attractions in the vicinity of Side, Antalya and Manavgat should consider renting a car in order to travel in comfort and not depend on the schedule.

The roads are quiet, but the locals drive quite aggressively. There are almost no serious traffic jams, but often only one car can pass through the narrow streets. Drivers take turns driving away, reversing and letting each other pass. There are practically no parking lots in the central part of the city, closer to the outskirts there are free and paid (5-10 TRY for 2-5 hours, depending on the area, can reach 15-20 TRY per hour) parking lots. At night, the car can most likely be left near the hotel.

Branches of major international companies are located at Antalya Airport - Bedget, Avis, Hertz and others. There are many small local offices in Side, in addition, sometimes you can rent a car right at the hotel. In small firms, prices are lower (from 100 TRY per day), but there is a high risk of running into unscrupulous distributors and overpaying. In large proven companies, an economy class car costs from 150 TRY per day.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Calling to Russia is cheaper from a local SIM card. There are 3 major operators in the city - Vodafone, Turkcell and Avea. Tourists usually prefer the latter - good coverage and low prices. prepaid tariff plan will cost 20-50 TRY, a minute of conversation costs 0.60-3 TRY, with the Europe package included - 15 TRY. You can buy a SIM card in any mobile salon, grocery store or newsstand. They also sell recharge cards. The price of a minute or an SMS is calculated in "credits", the rate of which depends on the amount of funds in the account - the more of them, the more profitable.

Without IMEI registration, a local SIM card in a foreign device will not work (they will block it within 2-4 weeks). You can register in the salon cellular communication(165 TRY). Other options are to buy a mobile locally or use payphones.

Most often in hotels WiFi is free- near the reception or throughout the territory. In some hotels, in order to have access to the Internet in the room, you need to take a receipt with a login and password from the administrator. You can also connect to the network in many catering establishments.

The beaches of Side

Turkey is famous for its long sandy beaches. Around the old city of Side there are two main ones: eastern and western. And although the beaches are not far from each other, their characteristics differ. The western one is considered safe, and the sea is shallow, and therefore it is very popular. A gentle entry into the water makes comfortable rest with small children. Almost the entire coast is divided between bars and hotels, but there are also public areas. In the most expensive hotels, the entrance to the beach is closed to outsiders. On municipalities, you will have to pay only for the use of infrastructure, usually 5-10 TRY. On private ones, you can sometimes sit on a sun lounger for free, and if the territory belongs to a bar, you just need to order something.

Both beaches are marked blue flag, which means that the environment and infrastructure meet international standards.

In high season west beach filled to capacity, there is always noisy and fun. Many sports services are offered - you can try yourself in sailing and on water skiing, go diving, fishing or go on boat trips. For fans of extreme sports there is parasailing - flights over the sea with a parachute. To the east of the cape is not so crowded and more calm. Coniferous and orange groves grow along the beach. Those who prefer a completely secluded holiday should get away from the crowds along the coastline, where one of the most beautiful turtle beaches in the entire Mediterranean is located.

Diving in Side

Coastal waters of Side - not the best place for diving, but from dive sites closest to the resort the greatest interest represents the French military ship San Didier, sunk during the Second World War, located near the pier of old Antalya.

200 meters from Manavgat lie the remains of the American military aircraft Hadley's Harem, which also sank during the Second World War. Some of its details were raised from the bottom, they can be seen in the Museum of Istanbul.

The underwater world of the Turkish Mediterranean is inferior to the Red Sea in its beauty, but there are several reefs not far from Side, where those who want to dive are taken on boats. Landscapes are not so bright and colorful, but you can see schools of fish, sea ​​stars and other inhabitants.

A diving club is open to the east of the historical center of Side. Certified instructors work with clients, there is an opportunity to undergo initial training or continue training, as well as special courses for children from 10 years old. Diving center staff organize dives from beaches, piers and boats that take tourists to remote dive sites. Experienced divers can explore the night sea, and fans of river diving can explore sunken objects. The dive will cost 310 TRY, the course will cost 800-1000 TRY.

Side Hotels

Most of the accommodation options in Side are represented by hotels, there are also apartments and guest houses, but there are very few of them. Almost all hotels are within walking distance from the sea and operate on an all-inclusive basis, some have own beaches. The resort has many 5 * hotels - large complexes with an appropriate level of service, swimming pools, water parks and various additional options. The range of prices is large - from 85 to 7000 TRY per night in a double room.

The cost of living in Side is highly dependent on location. It is cheaper to settle on a cape, in the area of ​​​​the historical center, or away from the beaches.

Most a budget option- motels, about 85 TRY per day. Cheap hotel can be found for 100-150 TRY, without "stars" and food, some may include breakfast in the price. There are fewer middle-class hotels, “triples” and “fours”, in Side than “fives”. Prices start from 180 TRY per night in a double room, from 370 TRY all-inclusive offers start.

shopping

Those who travel to Turkey for shopping should choose another city to relax. There are few shops in Side, the choice is small, and the prices are too high. All trade is concentrated on the embankment, Column Street. and bul. Ataturk. The first is literally crammed with tents with goods for tourists. Traditional Turkish souvenirs are usually taken away from Side - carpets, intricate hookahs, all kinds of amulets, ceramics, silks, spices and tea. Prices on the waterfront for all merchants are about the same.

Thrifty tourists are better off shopping in neighboring Manavgat. Prices are 2-3 times lower than in tourist Side.

The town has many shops and shopping centers specializing in leather and fur products, gold and silver. However, in the high season, fur coats here cost about the same as in Moscow, or more. There is a chance to buy furs cheaper and negotiate a significant discount only in spring or autumn, when there are not so many tourists here. On Column St. you can find several fashionable shops where prices are obscenely high, but the quality and service match them. Many are ready to deliver the client from the hotel to the store for free and take them back with the purchase. In Side stores, it makes no sense to bargain with sellers, only with the director, and you should not count on very big concessions.

Cuisine and restaurants in Side

Side's cuisine is not very different from traditional Turkish, but the Mediterranean has left its mark on it - there are many seafood dishes on the menu of local establishments. Otherwise, everything is the same as in any other corner of the country - kebabs, pilaf, vegetable salads with cheese and olive oil, a huge amount of flour products with different fillings. Fans of an invigorating drink should definitely try aromatic Turkish coffee. Everywhere there are restaurants of other cuisines of the world - French, English and Mexican.

Sweet tooth should not pass by goat's milk ice cream. Even those who do not really like the drink itself will be able to appreciate the taste of a cool, viscous delicacy.

Holidays in Turkey are strongly associated with the all-inclusive system, and many travelers bypass catering establishments as unnecessary. However, choosing a couple of evenings and having dinner outside the hotel is still worth it - for the sake of variety and atmosphere. Thrifty tourists can go to modest cafes, the average check in which does not exceed 100 TRY for a dinner with wine. A street snack will cost less - 20-30 TRY. Vendors offer doner kebabs, lahmacun (the Turkish analogue of pizza), fish sandwiches, stuffed mussels and much more. Most restaurants can be attributed to the middle class - the cost of dinner varies from 100 to 200 TRY. In expensive establishments, it can reach up to 500 TRY.

In the evenings, some eateries turn into nightclubs where you can drink something strong, smoke a hookah, relax and dance.

Entertainment and attractions in Side

Side is the best place in Turkey for those who want to combine beach relaxation with intense excursion program. This is a city-museum, the number of sights of which can be envied by the ancient European capitals. many tourist sites over 2000 years old, and it's impressive.

The tour is worth going to historical Center Side. Previously, a whole complex of ancient buildings was located here, now only ruins remain of them, but something has been preserved quite well. The location of the large area the ancient Greek city - Agora - can now be identified only by the foundations of commercial and utility rooms, a surprisingly surviving public toilet and the remains of the temple of the goddess of luck Tyukhe.

Not far from the Agora are the ruins of the most ancient stone structure in the country - basilicas. Even in a dilapidated form, one can guess the original architecture with Byzantine motifs. It will be possible to consider a rather intricate layout of the building. Next to the basilica are the palace and the bishop's chapel, built a little later.

From the mainland Old city fenced off from the rest of the resort by ancient walls. The other part, facing the sea, has practically not been preserved. In some places, columns with stucco and other architectural elements are clearly visible.

From the monumental building of the port bath in the past, now only outlines remain - collapsed stone walls with large arches. But even this is enough to understand the importance attached to it by the ancient Turks, who built a huge steam room in the 3rd century BC. e. And to the north of the bath is the Roman theater, which has seen ancient tragedies, gladiator fights and staged naval battles. A semicircle of visual rows, stone masks of the goddesses of Comedy and Tragedy and fragments of other sculptures have been preserved.

When looking at the aqueduct, whose age is only slightly less than the basilica, the scope of ancient engineering is striking. The construction of such a water supply facility in this area required complex structures; it provided water whole city. From here it was also supplied to the famous Nymphaeum fountain. Although now only two floors remain from it, and the decorative elements are practically not preserved, the former grandeur can be judged by the massiveness of the structure and fragments of marble in the cladding.

Several frescoes that adorned the Nymphaeum, as well as aqueduct pipes and many other exhibits found on the territory of the old city of Side, can be seen in Antique Museum. The exhibition includes statues of Athena and Apollo, an altar, an hourglass, bas-reliefs and sculptures.

6 things to do in Side

1. Wander through the ruins of ancient Side, not forgetting, however, about the headdress and sunscreen- it can be very hot there during the high season.
2. View artifacts found during excavations in the middle of the 20th century at the Museum of Side, arranged in the restored premises of a Roman bath from the 5th-6th centuries.
3. Do not miss the most popular "exit" excursion - to the low, but in full water, very beautiful Manavgat waterfall.
4. Taste in one of the restaurants, located in abundance along the banks of the Manavgat River, dishes from freshly caught trout - a local delicacy.
5. Head to Aspendos for discovery - admire the well-preserved Roman amphitheater before the arrival of organized tour groups.
6. If your vacation is in June-July, attend at least one performance on the stage of the ancient theater in Aspendos with unique acoustics as part of the annual Opera and Ballet Festival.

Side for children

The town is small and calm, clean sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the water and an abundance of water activities make vacations with kids comfortable and interesting. There are many family hotels on the coast with a children's menu and animators. The hotels have spacious swimming pools with water parks, game rooms and playgrounds.

There are few entertainments for children in Side itself, but the resort is located an hour's drive from Antalya and Alanya. IN major cities the choice is much larger - several water parks, a zoo, an amusement park, an oceanarium, a miniature park and much more. 15 km from Side is the Green Canyon - one of the most picturesque sites nature reserve in the Taurus mountains. A walk on a catamaran or boat on the lake between the rocks will appeal to both children and parents. Seniors will be able to swim in clean clear water, the younger ones - to play on the playground with swings and carousels, and the adults - to have a picnic in nature.

Winter is short, warm and rainy. This time of the year has the highest amount of precipitation. For sightseeing tourism, it is better to choose March or December, when bathing season closed, there is no heat, and the weather is warm and comfortable.

Events

For lovers of opera, ballet, musicals and classical music Since 1994, the Aspendos amphitheater, preserved from ancient times, has been hosting an annual festival in July-September - one of the most significant in the world and the only one in Turkey. Every year famous theater troupes from all over the world come here. Operas by Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and ballet masterpieces by Tchaikovsky sound from the stage of the ancient amphitheater with excellent acoustics. Aspendos is located just 40 minutes drive from Side.

I have always considered Side the best resort on the Anatolian coast of Turkey. With its beauty, cleanliness of streets and parks, atmospheric sandy beaches and beautiful houses there is little that can be compared in this part of the country. There are interesting excursions for children and adults, and for me personally, Side has become one of those cities that will forever remain in my heart.

I spent more than three months in Side and I confirm that it is rightfully considered unique resort. I liked everything about it: streets, antique sights, the usual Manavgat district, a waterfall and a river, diving and water parks! History and modernity, resort atmosphere and traditional Turkish areas for local residents- everything is intertwined in this city, creating a firework of colors, eras, traditions, positive emotions and the joy of tourists.

I would advise absolutely everyone to go to Side - there is entertainment for both adults and children! Of all the resorts in Turkey, Side is in third place for me after the European Marmaris and the magical Oludeniz with a blue lagoon, and on the Anatolian coast of Side - the most best resort.

For me, it will forever remain a city in which it is not only good to relax, but also to live - to walk, breathe, watch and enjoy everything around. Despite the fact that Side is a rather miniature resort, it has a lot of entertainment for every taste. About this, and about many other things, I wrote in this guide.

How to get there

Side is located in Turkey, on the Anatolian coast, between Antalya and Alanya. There are only two ways to get to Side from Russia:

• by plane arriving at Antalya airport, then by bus to Side;
• on own car throughout Turkey.

Below I consider each of them in as much detail as possible.

By plane

Antalya Airport is located 65 km from Side. Regular and charter flights. This airport is also associated daily flights from Istanbul and Ankara. Tickets can be searched on well-known search engine sites or. So there are several ways to fly here regular flights:

• from Moscow with a transfer in Istanbul, the flight will last 3.5-4 hours, the cost will be from 11,500 rubles or 200 USD (round trip) from Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, Pegasus, Azal and Transaero;
• direct from Moscow Moscow-Antalya lasts 2.5 hours - from 13,000 rubles (both ways) of Yamal, Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines;
• from St. Petersburg direct St. Petersburg-Antalya lasts 3.5 hours - from 22,000 rubles (both ways) for NordStar, Turkish Airlines, Island, Aeroflot, NordWind, Yamal, OnurAir;
• from St. Petersburg, the flight will last 4-4.5 hours, transfer in Istanbul, or Moscow, the cost is from 12,000 rubles (both ways) from Turkish Airlines (), Aeroflot () and Azal ().

In summer, direct charter flights run, tickets for which can be cheaper, but they need to be booked on time:

• from Moscow: charter -, a ticket costs from 4500 rubles in both directions (80 USD), check which charter companies serve flights to Antalya in 2017 after a break;
• from Saint-Petersburg: charter -, a ticket costs from 7,000 rubles in both directions (120 USD), check which charter companies serve flights to Antalya in 2017 after a break.

How to get from Antalya Airport to Side

You can get there in two ways:

• from Terminal 1 of Antalya Airport by bus that follows the route Airport - ask to stop in Side (Manavgat);
• by car rented at the airport along the following route:

By bus

There is no way to get to Side from Russia. True, there are tickets for the Side flight - at a price of just over 15 USD (50 TRY).

By car

It is possible to drive to Side from Russia by car, although the journey will take about 38-50 hours from Moscow or St. Petersburg, will require many stops (at least 3-4 overnight stays in cities along the way) and, in some cases, ferry crossing.

So, there are two types of travel from Russia to Side:

• through European countries, then you will need, at a minimum, to pass through Ukraine (visa not needed), Romania (needed), Bulgaria (needed);
• through with a crossing on a car ferry - Trabzon (15 thousand rubles for a car).

The cost of gasoline for this distance (6,000 km from Moscow round trip and 7,500 km from St. Petersburg round trip) will be about 51 and 64 thousand rubles in both directions, respectively, for these cities. The cost is calculated at a consumption of 10 liters per 100 km and the cost of gasoline at 1.4 EUR (85 rubles) in Turkey. Refueling in Russia will be cheaper.

Side - holidays with children

Side is just perfect for families with children! Sunny, clean, positive, it is a convenient resort for moms, dads and their babies. Also, it's very clean. sandy beaches, small waves, beautiful walking areas and parks.

Side has many ideas for entertaining children:

• water parks;
• beach vacation;
• water sports sports on Eastern beaches(half of the options are suitable for children, for example, banana, tablet, etc.);
• excursions to ancient cities (children are given maps, according to which they need to find this or that building);

Have something to add?

In this article, I will tell you about all the possible transfer options from Antalya to Side. Each of us knows how much it saves time, money, and nerves accurate information on how to get to Right place. Therefore, I will try to describe all the options as accurately and in detail as possible.

If you come to rest in, then be sure to dedicate one of the days of your vacation to a trip to the mysterious antique, especially getting to it will not be difficult. This small town on the coast is not in vain called a museum under open sky! Here antiquity is surprisingly intertwined with modernity, but first things first.

You can only see the ruins of Side, or you can combine it with a trip to.

2.6. By rented car

If you do not want to depend on bus schedules and excursions, you can rent a car and drive to Side on your own. You can even make the whole trip back and forth in one day - so you have time to see the ruins, and spend not so much time.

The roads in Turkey are good, but gasoline is quite expensive - about 4 Turkish lira per liter. You can see prices for car rental in Antalya here.

2.7. With fellow travelers

You can view the options for the dates you need directly through this form:

3. Where to buy tickets

If you take a bus or minibus (dolmush) at the bus station, then you buy tickets there. Moreover, the ticket can be bought both at the box office and on the bus. In other cases, the fare is calculated directly with the driver.

Intercity buses depart from the bus station located at: Yeni Doğan Mh., Antalya. You can get to the bus stations by public transport with the inscription "otogar".

What's the fare by bus or dolmus:

• From Antalya to Manavgat - 10 TL;
• From Antalya to Side in - 8-10 TL.

Travel time from Antalya to Side– 1 hour 25 minutes. To get back from Side to Antalya, you can take buses from Alanya.

Note! In addition to the bus station, you can take a bus from Antalya to Side or Manavgat anywhere on the route. In Turkey, it is customary to stop at the request of passengers, and not just at stops, so it is not at all necessary to go to the bus station, but you can get hooked along the road.

4. How to get from Side bus station to the city center

5. Conclusion

We have considered the most popular options for getting to Side from Antalya. The most profitable use minibuses or intercity buses if you are resting on your own or your hotel does not organize a transfer.

By the way, if you are just going to Side, but have not yet chosen a hotel, then I advise you to look at the hotellook search engine website (there you can find the best deals from 40 booking systems) or choose one of these hotels with a good rating:

If the article was helpful, please share it with your friends in social networks! Summer is ahead - the time of holidays, which means that such information is very relevant. All the best! Happy travels and stay with us! After all, we still have a lot of useful and interesting information for all lovers of independent travel.

Get yourself to antique side it will not be difficult, as this is the closest attraction from the village of Titreyengol. Antique Side is the territory of an ancient city with ruins and dilapidated buildings, an ancient amphitheater, an archaeological museum and others. archaeological excavations. Plus, this includes the embankment, malls and a small port.

How to get there. You can get to ancient Side on your own in two ways: the easiest and cheapest way is by bus, and the more expensive one is by taxi. You need to choose the bus under number 11, the fare costs 3 lira or $ 1 per person. Taxi will cost $10. By bus you need to get to final stop, which is located near the ancient Side.

Near the final stop we met resting camels 🙂

Entry cost. The ancient open-air city is completely open for free admission. Paid entrance only in the amphitheater - 20 lire per person, we were not charged for the entrance fee from a child.

Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and hats with you during the summer. The sun bakes mercilessly, and there is practically nowhere to hide from the sun on the ruins. We were there at the end of March sunny weather and we were already hot.

From the final stop the road goes past the Nymphaeum - once a monumental source of water with a pool,

On the way back to the stop, appreciated the Nymphaeum in all its glory

along the ruins of the city, through which you can freely roam. Presumably they were shops. On the right side of the road in the preserved buildings of the Roman baths is located Archaeological Museum but we didn't visit it.

One of the columned streets

View of the market square of the Agora, which at one time also served as a slave market. Located near the walls of the amphitheater, but was fenced and closed.

This Triumphal Arch built in honor of the emperor Vespasian and his son Titus, and next to the fountain in the niches of which there were sculptures of the emperor and other statesmen. An arch and a fountain preceded the entrance to the amphitheatre.

The amphitheater is the main attraction, which is very well preserved. This amphitheater was built in the II century and was the largest theater of ancient Pamphylia, as the coastal region in the southern part of Asia Minor was called in ancient times. It is known that gladiator fights were held in this amphitheater, and the theater could accommodate about 18,000 spectators. Entrance here, as I wrote above, is paid.

The amphitheater is really big, but still comparing it with, I’ll say that it’s not so amazing, especially the part where the stage used to be.

And this Town Square and the government center of the city of Agora. This is the restored part of the building, where official and protocol events were held.

My uncle used to sell such knick-knacks nearby

Not far from the amphitheater are the ruins of a building with a deep basement, which at that time was a hospital.

And these are the ruins of the bishop's house.

Right on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea stands the temple of Apollo, or rather what is left of it - 5 ivory columns. Even these 5 columns look very beautiful, I can imagine how beautiful the temple was in its better times. Nearby are the ruins of the temple of Athena, but they were fenced, apparently restoration work was carried out.

And this is the embankment of Side. Despite the fact that it was not yet a season and there were few tourists, shops and shops, cafes and restaurants were open. In some places, repairs were carried out, preparation for the season.

In conclusion, I will say that visiting the ancient Side is beyond any doubt. In addition, as I understand it, restoration work is constantly being carried out there and it is likely that over time the ancient Side will approach its original appearance.

Services that we use in our independent travels:

Finding and booking accommodation

1. - a world-famous search engine where you can find and book accommodation from guesthouses to luxury villas. Have used many times and highly recommend.
2. Hotellook is a service for finding and booking accommodation from the creators of Aviasales.
3. Airbnb - booking and renting apartments, rooms, houses from local residents. Tested on myself, everything is honest, we recommend. When booking through our link, you will receive a bonus of 2100 rubles, which you can use when paying for housing. To do this, you will need to create your AirBnB account.

Service-aggregator for car rental in local rental companies. You choose a car, as it were, at a local rental, but through a service, booking with a bank card, from which only 15% of the cost is charged. MyRentacar is the guarantor. You can choose not only the class of the car, but also a specific car, accurate to the color of the body and the type of radio. But most importantly, the prices on this service are the same as if you yourself came to a local rental company!

Side – ancient city, open-air museum. By visiting Side, you can successfully combine sightseeing, shopping and a beach holiday.

Side on the map of Turkey

Side is located in the south of Turkey on the Mediterranean coast of Antalya.

Side on the map of Turkey (clickable)

Distance to Side from some cities in Turkey:

Antalya 76 km

Alanya 66 km

Ankara 495 km

Bursa 608 km

Izmir 531 km

Side - Kayseri 544 km

Manavgat 10 km

Nevsehir 458 km

Sanliurfa 937 km

How to get to Side

To get to Side, you first need to get to the city of Manavgat. Further from Manavgat to Side can be reached by dolmush with the inscription Side. Dolmushi from Manavgat to Side depart from the Manavgat bus station. You can also get hooked on these dolmushi in other places of the city, incl. and in the center. More detailed information for information on how to get to Manavgat, see the article. There is also a map where points are marked where you can take a dolmush to Side. In dolmushi in Side, you can pay for travel not only Turkish Lira, but also in dollars and euros (in 2013).

In Side, the bus station (otogar) is located near the walls of the ancient city of Side. Dolmushi depart from it to Manavgat, the nearest villages and hotels on the coast.

If you are going to get from Side to any other cities (Antalya, Alanya, Istanbul, Nevsehir, etc.), then you will have to do this with a change in Manavgat. Some bus companies have their free services in Side up to the Manavgat otogar.

History of Side

The city of Side was formed around the 7th century. BC. Anatolian Greeks. Like many cities in this region, Side was under the rule of Alexander the Great, surrendering to him without a fight. Also, after the death of the great commander, he was under the rule of the Ptolemies and the Seleucids.

The highest flourishing of the city falls on the 2nd c. BC, when it becomes a cultural and educational center.

In the 1st century BC. Side is captured by pirates, turning it into their base. At this time, the largest slave market in the Mediterranean unfolds in the city. But in the same century, Side was liberated from pirate dominion. Although the slave market has survived.

By 2nd c. in Side there is another rise and flourishing. Many buildings are being built and rebuilt. Some of them have come down to us. Side continues to be an important administrative, cultural and commercial center. And from the 5th c. and spiritual, because the bishop moves here.

With those that began in the 7th century. Arab raids Side falls into decay. By the 12th century, the inhabitants of Side, for the most part, leave the city.

The modern revival of Side began at the end of the 19th century, when the Turks from Greece arrived and settled here.

Attractions, photo Side

The sights of Side are located very compactly. They are located on the peninsula. To see the sights of Side, no transport is required, everything is easy to get around on foot. As I said above, Side is an open-air museum city. Entrance to the territory of the ancient city is free. Many attractions are free to visit at any time of the day. But the most significant ones (theater, museum, temple of Apollo) have a working hours, and to visit them you need to purchase an entrance ticket.

Side Map

Side Map (clickable)

Immediately from the bus station in Side, a view of fortress walls of ancient Side. The walls went around the entire perimeter of the city. Parts of these walls varying degrees preservation can be seen today.

We get to the ancient city of Side through main gate. Like the walls, they were built in the Hellenic period. There were towers on both sides. In the 2nd century they were strengthened and decorated with sculptures.

Near the entrance to ancient city located Nymphaeum Side- city fountain. It was built in the 2nd century. The fountain in Side consists of 3 semicircular niches.

From the entrance go streets with columns

One of them is a roadway. On the sides of the street, the foundations of houses have been preserved.

On the left, in the direction of travel, it opens. Its dimensions are 62x62 m. There were rows of columns along the perimeter. And in the center there is a temple dedicated to the goddess of fate Tyche (2nd century BC). This agora is famous for the fact that in the 1st c. here was the largest slave market in the Mediterranean.

And on the right opposite the agora will be Side Museum. Entrance to the museum is paid - 10 lire. Opening hours: from 9.00 to 19.00 (April - October), from 8.00 to 17.00 (November - March). Closed on Monday

The Side Museum is located in rooms that used to be baths. Here are collected finds found during excavations on the territory of the city in different times. These are statues, coins, sarcophagi, utensils, jewelry

In the courtyard of the Side Museum there are carved marble sarcophagi

Fountain in the Side Museum, preserved from the time of the baths.

Side Theater- most grand building cities. You can appreciate its scale even on the way to it. From the road leading from the main gate, the upper rows are visible.

Entrance to the Side Theater is paid - 10 lira. The opening hours of the Theater in Side are from 8.00 to 17.00 seven days a week.

The theater in Side was built in the 2nd century on the site of the old Greek one, which was smaller in size. The theater in Side was designed for 15,000 spectators. The amphitheater consists of 2 levels, which are separated by a passage.

In Byzantine times, the theater was used for Christian rituals. Today, like many centuries ago, the theater in Side is used for its intended purpose. There are concerts and theatrical performances.

Having passed the street to the end, we go out to the sea and the old port. As before, ships, yachts, boats moor here. From here you can go on a water excursion from 11.30 to 15.30. Cost - 15 euros (September 2013). The tour includes the following: arrival at the confluence of the Manavgat River in the Mediterranean Sea, a stop for swimming, lunch, a walk along the Manavgat River to the rapids, but not to the waterfall itself.

Temple of Apollo in Side. Entrance fee - 5 lire. Although everything is perfectly visible and so. And from the neighboring temple of the goddess Athena, only ruins remained.

Another agora in Side - city ​​agora, located south of the Agora with a temple. It was built in the 2nd century. The dimensions of the agora are 88.5 x 69.2 m. The ruins of the ruler's residence have also been preserved here.

Hotels, pensions, beaches Side

Side - famous resort. There are a large number of both huge hotels and small family pensions. Guesthouses are concentrated on the peninsula in the old town. Large hotels in Side are located on both sides of the peninsula. Many hotels and guesthouses in Side can be viewed through the hotel search form above this article.

As with hotels and guesthouses in Side, the same situation is with the beaches. To the east and west of Antique Side go great beaches. Many of them belong to specific hotels. On these beaches there are sunbeds, umbrellas, water activities and other infrastructure.

And along the perimeter of the peninsula, where ancient Side is located, you can swim and sunbathe on small beaches. Often they are also equipped. If desired, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas. Often these beaches are located next to the ruins of old Side.