Where Antiquity Lives Beside the Turquoise Sea
Few places let you sip coffee in the shadow of a 2,000-year-old column, then walk a few steps to a beach lapped by turquoise water. Side Ancient City (Side Antik Kenti) does exactly that. Perched on a slender peninsula on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, roughly 75 km east of Antalya, this Greco-Roman port town is among the best-preserved on the southern shore. Here, history is not roped off behind glass - it threads between boutiques, cafes and seafront restaurants, alive and within reach.
A City Built for the Sea
Founded by Greek settlers and later flourishing under Rome, Side grew rich as a Mediterranean trading hub. That prosperity paid for the grand monuments you still see today, scattered across a compact, walkable old town that invites you to slow down and explore on foot.
The Colonnaded Street and Agora
Begin where ancient citizens once did: the colonnaded main street, lined with the bases of marble columns that led toward the heart of the city. Nearby lies the ancient agora, the bustling marketplace and civic square where commerce and conversation defined daily life. Pause here and it is easy to imagine the crowds, traders and travelers who once filled these stones.
Gates, Monuments and Museum
The monumental city gate once welcomed travelers into Side, while the elegant Vespasian monument honors the Roman emperor of the same name. To understand what you are seeing, visit the Side Museum, beautifully housed inside restored Roman baths and filled with statues, sarcophagi and reliefs unearthed across the site. It is a small but rewarding stop that brings the ruins outside its walls into focus.
Highlights You Won't Want to Miss
- Temple of Apollo: Seafront marble columns that glow gold at sunset - the city's most photographed icon.
- Colonnaded Street: Trace the ancient processional route through the old town.
- Ancient Agora: Stand in the once-thriving heart of the city's commercial life.
- Side Museum: Roman baths turned treasure house of statues and antiquities.
- City Gate and Vespasian Monument: Grand entry points that announced Side's wealth.
- Harbor and beaches: Swim and dine where ancient ships once docked.
Pro tip: Arrive in the late afternoon. The crowds thin, the marble turns honey-gold, and the Temple of Apollo at sunset is one of the most magical sights on the entire Turkish coast.
Getting There and Planning Your Visit
Side sits about 75 km east of Antalya Airport (AYT), an hour or so by road, and is an easy day trip from Antalya, Belek, Alanya and the surrounding resorts. Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven ancient paving, bring sun protection and water in the warmer months, and allow at least half a day to wander, browse and swim. The old town is largely pedestrian-friendly, so leave the car near the entrance and explore on foot.
Ready to walk among the columns where Romans once traded by the sea? Browse Seven Tours' excursions across the Side, Manavgat and Antalya region to find guided tours, day trips and tailor-made experiences that bring this ancient city - and the Turkish Riviera - to life.
