Side is a small picturesque relaxing town on the Turkish Riviera, an hour or so from Antalya. Side perfectly blends a romantic, historic town centre with sun-soaked beaches and beautiful scenery. Side has two long sandy beaches; the beach to the west of town has shallow, calm water and fine sand, and is where the majority of hotels line side by side along the beachfront. The beach east of town has rocky areas and is much quieter; this is where you’ll find the locals. Both offer a good range of watersports, snack bars and facilities. And in the town you can flit from the buzzing harbour, lined with restaurants and bars, perfect for a night out, right across to the evening markets in the central streets, bursting with knickknacks and trinkets. Expect a flawless mix of old and new in this Roman-inspired resort, with its untouched old town and glamorous harbourside; a blend of impressive ancient sights (like the amphitheatre) and chic waterfront restaurants await you. To visit more of the town’s must-see sights, head to the breathtaking Manavgat Waterfall one afternoon, where you’ll get a real sense of the natural beauty around the town. Or soak up the history in the well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, just a short trip from the centre.
When to go
Side has a fantastic climate all year round. The best time to go to Side is in the summer for the warmest weather and the least amount of rainfall. The warmest time of the year is from June and September. Temperatures are around 28°C but often reach 30°C at peak times of the day, which is usually from 12pm to 3pm. During the spring and autumn you’ll still experience lovely, warm weather and long sunny days, but in a more relaxed atmosphere. Temperatures are pleasant and there’s not much rainfall. You can also enjoy a dip in the sea towards the end of spring when water temperatures begin to heat up or at the beginning of autumn when the water hasn’t cooled yet. And the winters are mild and peaceful if you’re looking to get away from it all.
