Ancient cities
Side has its own Roman theatre and the Temple of Apollo on the harbour, so the classic excursion goes further west: Perge, a large Roman city with a colonnaded street and stadium, and Aspendos, whose theatre is the best preserved in the ancient world and still hosts performances. The day usually ends at Kurşunlu waterfall in the shade. Wear real shoes and start early; the sites are hot by noon.
Antalya and Alanya
The Antalya trip covers the old town of Kaleiçi, the harbour and the Düden waterfalls, with free time for the bazaar. Alanya is the other direction: the Seljuk castle above the town, the Red Tower and harbour, Damlataş cave and, on some departures, the cable car up the peninsula. Both are full days with lunch stops.
Nature days
Sapadere Canyon is a walk on wooden boardwalks through a narrow gorge to a swimming pool at the end, often combined with Alanya. Altınbeşik Cave is reached by a short boat ride on an underground lake, paired with the stone village of Ormana. The Eagle Canyon and Selge day mixes a jeep ride into the Taurus with a Roman theatre most tourists never see, and the Green Lake day adds a boat ride to a cabrio-bus route through the villages.
Evenings
The Fire of Anatolia dance show at the Gloria Aspendos Arena is the most booked evening out from Side, ticket and transfer together. For families, the Land of Legends theme park in Belek runs on an air-conditioned transfer with a full day at the park.
How to choose
Pick one full-day excursion for every two or three beach days rather than stacking them: the coast road and the heat add up. History first-timers should take Perge and Aspendos; families do best with Sapadere or the Green Lake day; anyone who has already seen the ancient sites will enjoy Altınbeşik and Ormana more than a second city tour.