We recommend comfortable walking shoes for ancient sites, swimwear and a towel for boat tours, and sun protection such as a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Bringing a small amount of cash for drinks or personal expenses is also useful.
Side Excursions
Book Side tours and excursions departing daily. Walk through Temple of Apollo, join boat trips along the coast, explore Aspendos Theatre.
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City & Sightseeing Tours in Side
Walk through Side Old Town, admire the Temple of Apollo at sunset, and explore the bustling harbour with a local guide. Capture iconic ruins and charming seaside streets effortlessly.
Cultural & Historical Tours in Side
Step into history at Aspendos Theatre and the ancient city of Perge with professional guides. Learn Roman heritage through immersive storytelling and preserved archaeological wonders.
Boat Trips & Cruises in Side
Sail from Side Harbour along turquoise shores, swim in hidden coves, and enjoy a fresh BBQ lunch onboard. Relax with foam parties and panoramic coastal views.
Adventure & Nature Tours in Side
Experience thrilling Koprulu Canyon rafting, rugged jeep safaris through the Taurus Mountains, and quad biking on dusty forest trails. Perfect for adrenaline lovers staying in Side.
Theme Parks & Entertainment in Side
Enjoy easy transfers from Side to The Land of Legends, featuring night shows, shopping avenues, and family-friendly attractions. Stress-free evening entertainment for all ages.
Why Book Side Tours?
Side is one of Turkey's best-preserved ancient cities, built on a small peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean. The Temple of Apollo stands right on the seafront — columns against sea and sky, especially striking at sunset. The ancient theatre seats 15,000 and still stands almost intact after 2,000 years.
Walking through Side Old Town takes you past Roman gates, Byzantine churches, and Hellenistic streets — all within a few hundred meters of each other. Shops and restaurants now occupy buildings that were market stalls two millennia ago. It's one of the few ancient cities in Turkey where daily life still happens inside the ruins.
Boat trips from Side harbour run along the coast toward Manavgat River and hidden coves. The Manavgat Waterfall sits 12km inland — most river cruise tours combine the waterfall with the Grand Bazaar. Aspendos Theatre is 30km west, making it an easy half-day add-on to any Side excursion.
All Side tours include hotel pickup from your accommodation. No need to arrange transport to the marina or ruins. English-speaking guides cover history without lectures — they tell stories.
Planning Your Side Trip
- Best time to visit: April through November. July and August are peak season — beaches packed, boat trips fully booked. May, June and September offer warm weather with fewer crowds. Winter is quiet but cultural tours run year-round.
- Getting there: Side is 65km east of Antalya Airport — about 1 hour by car. All tours include hotel pickup from Side, Kumköy, Çolakli, and surrounding areas.
- Must-see in Side: Temple of Apollo at sunset, Side Ancient Theatre, Side Museum (housed in a 5th-century bathhouse), and the Roman Gate at the entrance to Old Town.
- What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets and ruins. Swimwear for boat trips. Hat and sunscreen essential — ruins have no shade. Light jacket for evening in shoulder season.
- Currency: Turkish Lira. Cards accepted in most restaurants and shops in Old Town. Cash useful for market stalls and smaller vendors near the harbour.
- Hotel pickup: All tours pick up from Side, Manavgat, Kumköy, Çolakli, Titreyengöl, and surrounding resort areas. Pickup time confirmed the evening before your tour.
Side Excursions FAQ
The excursion season in Side runs from April to November, when weather conditions are ideal for outdoor activities and boat trips. July and August are perfect for swimming and cruises, while spring and autumn are more comfortable for cultural tours such as Aspendos, Perge, and walking inside Side Ancient City.
Yes, almost all Side excursions include free hotel pick-up and drop-off in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles. Exact pick-up times are shared after booking, and transfers are organized according to your hotel location for a smooth experience.
Many tours are family-friendly, especially boat trips, Turkish bath experiences, and The Land of Legends evening shows. Adventure tours like rafting in Köprülü Canyon have safety rules and minimum age requirements, but guides and instructors ensure a safe environment.
We offer flexible booking with free cancellation on most tours. You can reserve your place now and pay on the tour day, which makes planning your holiday easier. Date changes are possible depending to availability.
The most popular Side excursions are the Antalya City Tour, cultural tours to Aspendos and Perge, jeep safaris to Taurus Mountains, and the Manavgat River Cruise. All include hotel pickup from Side hotels.
Side is 65km east of Antalya city center — about 1 hour by car. From Antalya Airport the drive takes roughly the same time. All tours departing from Antalya include Side hotel pickup.
Yes. The Temple of Apollo is one of Turkey’s most photographed ancient sites. It sits directly on the seafront with sea views between the columns. Sunset visits are particularly impressive. The temple is a short walk from Side Harbour and accessible on foot from most Old Town accommodation.
Yes. Boat trips depart from Side Harbour daily during season. Popular routes include the Manavgat River Cruise, coastal tours to hidden coves, and the Alanya Pirate Boat Trip. Full day with lunch and swimming stops included.
Aspendos Theatre is 30km west of Side — about 35 minutes by car. Most cultural tours from Side include Aspendos alongside Perge ruins and the Manavgat Waterfall. Entrance fees are included in tour prices.
Yes. Jeep safaris to Taurus Mountains, rafting at Köprülü Canyon, and quad bike tours all include Side hotel pickup. The canyon is about 1.5 hours from Side by minibus.
Hotel pickup and drop-off, English-speaking guide, lunch on full-day tours, entrance fees to sites, insurance, and transportation. Not included: personal drinks, optional add-ons, tips for guides.
