Side turkey

The town of Side in Turkey has been many things to many people. It is known to have been once an ancient harbour. The name 'Side' pronounced ‘see-day’ is of Anatolian origin. It means pomegranate, a fruit symbolic of abundance.

Side is approximately 50 miles from Antalya airport. The road is mostly dual carriageway and takes around 45 minutes by car or taxi and abou Map of Turkey t an hour by coach. It lies on a promontory nestled between two sandy beaches located on Turkey's Mediterranean shore known as the Turquoise Coast or Turkish Riviera.

Flag of Turkey

Side has a turbulent history and has been the focus of different people and cultures throughout the centuries. Its strategic location attracted attention from far and wide. Hittites, Persians, Egyptians and Romans were some of the former tenants. Perhaps the most infamous occupation was by pirates a little more than two centuries ago. During that period the harbour was used as a port for slave trading and the town a slave market. The pirate occupation was later ended by the Romans. However, because of the profitability of slave trading, it was some time before the practice ended.

Today, Side harbour is a place to take a pleasant stroll or relax with a cold drink in one of the restaurants around the harbour and watch the world go by.

Side Harbour

Side prospered under Roman rule and much of the old Roman walls still remain. During the Roman occupation it was rumoured to have been the secret rendezvous of Anthony and Cleopatra. Now a popular resort, the town is a mix of old and new, integrating shops and restaurants with streets from an ancient past. Some parts of the town exude an atmosphere that feels timeless and magical. There’s no doubt that Side town is a special place.

Side Turkey

There are an abundance of shops and stalls that cater for tourists. Both genuine and counterfeit goods are available, although the introduction of the euro has led to significant price rises for some items. You may also find haggling less prevalent than it once was. Remember that it is a busy tourist resort with lots of eager buyers.

Shops in the Old Town

For cheaper goods and a much greater selection, I recommend that you take a trip to Manavgat. You will find banks, offices, supermarkets, and all types of shops and businesses that are similar to those in the UK.

Every Monday there is a market in Manavgat. It is absolutely huge. The town is always busy but on a Monday it is chaotic. If you go by car don’t expect to find a parking space immediately. It took me almost an hour to find a space one Monday afternoon and another half hour to later find the car.

Side-Manavgat-Antalya

If you have the opportunity, the Museum of Side is worth a visit. It is located on the right hand side of the road opposite the amphitheatre before reaching the archway that leads to the old town. You enter the museum through the main gate off the road. It is a very small museum with only a few rooms but with some interesting artefacts. One of the rooms contain burial pits and skeletal remains and another contains sarcophagi.

Near the main entrance gate off to the left is a work area where restoration work is carried out. If you are lucky, you may get the opportunity to see some of the remains pieced together by experts.

The Museum of Side

At night, Side town comes alive with many of the shops, bars and restaurants open until late evening or early morning. It is ideal for couples and families.

For the more energetic there are several nightclubs. The Lighthouse at the harbour and Oxyd disco outside the old town are both worth a visit. For those looking for a livelier holiday with more clubs and discos, the busy resort of Alanya is the place to go.

OXYD Disco

On the right, approximately 10km south of Manavgat on the main road towards Alanya , is a club called Club TRUVA. I have no more information at present but will update this page when I do.

Club TRUVA

For most us, holidays are a time to get away, forget the pressures of work or household chores and simply relax. However, there are times when everything doesn't go to plan. Becoming irritated or annoyed will only raise your stress levels so here's a free ebook with a few tips we hope will help.

There is no pop up window used here. Click the back button on your browser to return to this page after reading or downloading the eBook.

If you are looking for a property to rent, or would like to advertise your property, Konakli Holiday Rentals offers a very professional service.