Side Old Town (Antik Side)

The old town itself lies on a promontory 300 meters wide and 800 metres long and today, despite tourism development where new is meeting old the town still remains the most unique and charming resort on Turkey's southern coast. As you walk from the top of the high street to the harbour, which was once a small fishing port and is now filling up with excursion boats, you can look down the small side streets to see the sea on either side of you. The old town has managed to retain many of its old features including its architecture and also the archeological sites. At every turn you will be faced with a new monument or ruin which never ceases to amaze those who return time after time.

Side is the only ancient city on Turkey's southern shore to have been excavated systematically. Its harbour served as a port, it was a slave market and flourished as a centre for piracy. The city prospered under the Roman Empire and most of the monuments date back to this time.. In the 10th century it was abandoned after a fire and the existing town only dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when it was founded by a group of Greek speaking Muslim exiles from Crete. After its earlier abandonment sand had blocked the harbour and covered many ruins, probably under much of the beach there is still part of the pre-existing city and its stadium.

Travelling along the incoming twisting, turning road into the old town you cannot miss the remains of an ancient time, a fine Roman aqueduct which used to carry water over 32kms from the mountains then, as you get closer the Agora (market-place) on your left and the roman baths on your right which are the home to the museum (closed on a Monday) A fee paid to the museum allows you entry to this and to the theatre. During the past two summers the theatre has been opened up and has been used for mid-summer culture, folklore and opera shows. The theatre, built in the 2nd century, one of the largest in Asia Minor, seating about 17,000 people is magnificent and from the top offers views over the town, the Hellenistic defence walls, the beaches and the sea.

The entrance to the town itself being dominated by the theatre, the largest in the area is remarkable and the small roads through the town centre are restricted to the inhabitants or those who have a business within the walls. These people must buy a pass which permits them to go within the town. All visitors have to leave their car in the car-park at the top of the high street which of course is impossible during the high season, alternatively there is a larger car park approximately a 10 minute walk outside of the town from where a small visitor tram travels backwards and forwards (at a nominal cost) from approximately 8 o'clock m the morning until approximately midnight and later in the high season. At this time all traffic is stopped between 8pm and midnight in the town centre itself which becomes too crowded with pedestrians for cars.

One of the best times to walk around the ruins is at the end of the day when hopefully you can catch the sun setting behind the Apollo Temple, a sight you will have seen on the cover of many travel brochures. Also note. As you walk around the small back streets you will see the beautiful architecturally designed old houses, many of which are being renovated in the to original style.

There is a small town beach on the east side of the peninsula but this is mainly used by locals and although sand can be frustrating as there are many rocks in and out of the water.

The coast itself, aptly named the Turquoise Coast or the Turkish Riviera stretches for nearly 650kms, starting from Fethiye beyond Antalya to Istanbul.

Beaches in the Area

Side is well known for its beautiful sandy beaches and, lying on a promentary, either Side of the peninsula they stretch as far as the eye can see. Although these beaches are connected by a short walk across the back of the old town they each have very different characteristitics.

On the West Side towards Antalya is a beach that is backed by the larger hotel’s of the resort. Although no part of the beach is privately owned each hotel has ‘ claimed’ its own section and unless you are resident of that particular hotel its very likely that you will no be permitted to use the facilities of that part of the beach. There are however smaller groups of beds dotted at intervals along the beach and although you will normally pay a daily rental for a sunbed and umbrella these areas are a lot less organised than those in front of the hotels. This beach is very popular with early morning walkers and joggers. Even late in the evening this beach appears busy with many people walking back out of Side to their hotel located on the beach. For families this beach is the best choice as the sea is usually clear, shallow and safe.

On the East is a beach that goes as far as the resort of Alanya and futher. This beach is slightly more difficult to reach and therefore less busy than the west beach. It can be reached either by walking from the old town following the coastline, a picturesque walk that takes you through many ruins on your way or by getting to the ‘ otogar’ – bus station , walking through it and out the far Side and across the sand / dunes by means of a small dusty track. This seems like a good idea in the morning before its gets too hot but not such a good one after about 11:00! Alternatively a taxi will take you directly to the sea front! Remember most people are lazy on holiday and don’t want to move far, but the further you go away from the town centre the less people you will find on the beach. A new beach service started last year around the resort that has morning pickups at various restaurants and hotels who have a connection with a certain beach bar where you are taken and it is expected that you use their restaurant as a base for the day.. at the end of the day you are than dropped back your pick – up point. The services is free.

This beach has luckily not been made available to the developers and is much more naturel than the west beach. Backed by sand dunes there is nothing to spoil the skyline behind the beach except for the odd view of an ancient monument or part a roman wall. Facilities on the beach are quite basic, most snack – bars and restaurants are familiy owned and have a very relaxed feel. Be prepared to pay for hire of sunbeds and umbrellas. The slight disadvantage of this beach which makes it not so appealing to families is that the seabed drops quite dramatically about 3 meters out and the breaking waves can be quite rough.

Both beaches have many watersports centres offering a good selection of activities, incuding para-gliding, water skiing, jet skis, banana boats and rings.

After a few on a beach of Side you will feel as if you are part of the furniture, it is so relaxing, however I can not express strongly enough the use of sunscreens and high factor suncreams, especially for children. The beaches are deceptive as they have a slight breeze most of the time but, this does burn you. During the summer months there are at least two or three times when the "poyraz" hits Side, this is a wind off the sahara and feels like a hair dryer is blowing on you, be especially careful if you are here during these times.

Excursions from Side

Perge

An important city of ancient Pamphylia,Perge, situated 18 kilometres from Antalya, was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and St Paul preached his first sermons here. Most of todays Perge belongs to the Roman Period and anyone interested in history will love to explore the long colonnaded street once paved with marble and lined with shops, the agora, the stadium, the public baths and the amphitheatre. One tip - try to avoid this tour in the middle of the day in peak summer.

Aspendos

Antalya
With its wide palm lined boulevards, an internationally acclaimed marina, the historical old quarter as well as a wide selection of shops, bars, nightclubs and restaurants, Antalya is one of Turkeys most beautiful cities and is a major tourist centre. The historical centre of the city, known as Kaleici, is now a major tourist attraction and the original Roman harbour is now considered to be one of the lovliest marinas in Turkey and is a great place to sit and enjoy a lunch time beer. The old city walls, lit up at night, give ana atmosphere of timelessness and serenity and must not be missed. Behind the city loom the Taurus mountains and towards the East rise a dramatic expanse of cliffs with waterfalls tumbling down to the sea.

Termessos

Taurus Mountains and white water rafting

Aquapark

Manavgat Waterfalls and river boat tours

Selukia and the Olympinar Dam

Sport & Activities

Bird watching

Beach sports

Diving

Fishing

Golf

Horse Riding

Jeep Safari

Mountaineering

Quad bike safari and racing

Rafting

Skiing

Tennis

Nightlife

Expect to pay more if you drink at one the more fashionable, sea facing bars than in a small back street bar. If you eat at a typically Turkish locanta where, often there is no menu but a choice of home cooked dishes to choose from, there is normally no alcohol license and you cannot take your own!

The quaint resort of Side has always appealed to couples and families rather than the young who are looking for a lively holiday and offers little nightlife in comparison to the modern, popular resort of Alanya only 70kms away. Although, saying that there are more than enough bars and discos to entertain you throughout your stay.

Countless bars within the old town centre are mixed with the archeological ruins facing the sea and each offers a different style of entertainment. The bars that border the harbour have a more relaxed feel and at sunset offer a view that I believe is one of the best in the world! On the other hand if it’s a disco bar that interests you then head for bar street situated near the Apollo Temple. Here, there is a selection of bars, the Barracuda being the most popular and you can dance or enjoy the magnificent view over the sea from the terrace garden from late until dawn. Often the bars don't close and if you are still sat in the garden you can enjoy the sunrise from behind the Taurus Mountains, a sight I used to enjoy but I don’t make it often these days!

There are many small bars hidden away in and around the resort all of which will offer you the typical Turkish hospitality. Expect not to pay for your drinks until you are about to leave. It is not usual to pay as you go.

A town centre, popular nightclub is the 'Lighthouse', named after its position in the harbour immediately next to the lighthouse! Very popular for locals and tourists alike, the music is a mixture of European and Turkish and it is open until the early hours of the morning. During the summer months Lighthouse is also the host to many well known Turkish pop star concerts.

Outside of the town centre is an interestingly designed disco called 'Qxyd', inspired by a popular and historical church. It is again open air and its capacity is more than 3000. There are swimming pools to cool off if you get too hot and is a great place for having a good boogie! Oxyd is not open every night (check locally), and is busier at the end of the week and on Saturday nights.

West of Side is the rapidly expanding holiday centre of Kumköy. A few years ago just a dirt track through a handful of hotels, the area has developed into a town in its own right. This side of Side is the home to the larger and more deluxe hotels and although you would expect the prices to be more expensive than in the town centre because the property rents are lower they are often cheaper. There are many bars and dance bars opening along this road, a new one every day it seems!