Side Ancient City

5.0

3198 ratings

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Anna K.

Level 5 Local Expert

Must see place! It’s a pity amfiteatr is closed for reconstruction. Still a lot to see from ancient times

alparslan t.

Level 9 Local Expert

Exciting, must see, You wont regret

fatih akbaş

Level 4 Local Expert

Fantastic

Екатерина Хренова

Level 18 Local Expert

Clean and beautiful, you don't have to spend money on excursions. Everything interesting is within walking distance, literally under your feet! There are many shops with clothes, accessories and souvenirs. The prices are the same as in other less picturesque places. It's a little hot to walk during the day, and it's cool in the late afternoon, and a fun nightlife begins. Lots of fun, live music, and cafes with great views. The water near the shore is wonderfully illuminated. Free clean public toilets. You can rent a yacht for every taste or take a ticket for a boat trip. There is an interesting public transport moving around the city, similar to an open tram.

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Andy A.

Level 18 Local Expert

After visiting the ancient city of Side (aka "Garnet"), you can see the ruins of an ancient Greek/Roman city and roughly imagine what this place looked like before Turkey existed. Part of the ancient city is underground, and it has been well thought out to make a glass road/floor over some areas of the old city, even in some shops with clothes, accessories and souvenirs. Of course, there is a cafe, and you can also taste pomegranate beer. The distances are short, but you can take paid tourist transport, a mixture of tram and bus on wheels. For lovers of history/archeology, it's probably better to come on your own, you won't be able to see everything with a regular tour. A few key attractions: - Side Theater (it is not considered an amphitheater, as it has a different structure and shape). It is currently closed for reconstruction. - Temple of Apollo, near the ruins of the temple of Athena. - Archaeological Museum (paid) - Vespasian's Gate - The Nymphaeum Fountain (it was a fountain many centuries ago) - the walls of the city, and the remains of ancient residential buildings, and so on. In the south of Turkey, one of the most interesting and accessible places, close to most tourist centers, I liked everything.

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Оксана Спевак

Level 14 Local Expert

It's a divine place. Divine according to your spiritual state, and the temples of the gods of antiquity. It's a separate civilization. It is a place of strength and peace. Despite the 21st century, the spirit of that time has so harmoniously integrated into the shopping streets, cafes and tourist area that you want to give up everything and stay there. The idea of sailing a boat and trading seashells is not so far away in this picturesque place. Despite the number of tourists (there are very few in the off-season), everything is clean and well maintained

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Сергей

Level 11 Local Expert

Side is relatively boring, so if you find yourself in this city, go for a walk in the ancient city. You can buy an entrance ticket only to the museum (5€) or to the museum and part of the old town (10€). If you take a full ticket for 10€, please note that the entrances are located on different streets, you buy a ticket at one ticket office, and simply show it at another. You can avoid going to the toll zone and limit yourself to walking along the road, watching the ruins of the old city from the side. As of September 2025, the amphitheater is closed for repairs, there is no entrance to it. If you come in the evening, you will find unobtrusive illumination of columns and ruins. If you have taken a full ticket, then going to the Agora Square behind the ruins of the walls, you can admire the sea and the sandy beach from above, and take beautiful photos.

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ya.ivan2307

Level 14 Local Expert

An excellent place to explore a large layer of historical, namely, the Greco-Roman heritage! I highly recommend visiting the delightful amphitheater, experiencing the atmosphere and spirit of that time, strolling along the shopping streets (many of which currently feature art objects, frescoes found during excavations - you can see them right under your feet under the glass floor - all this is absolutely free), see with your own eyes a piece of the Temple of Apollo, and, visit the archaeological museum and excavation sites, where, as a rule, all the exhibits (columns mostly) are presented on the street, they can be viewed and all this is absolutely free (except for the museum and the amphitheater - but here my advice is to spare no money). Many of the objects are signed in English, I recommend downloading any photo translator and translating it, it's all very interesting to study. In order to make visiting various locations in the Ancient City more atmospheric, you can read a brief history of this city. It is convenient that both public transport and taxis travel to this place. You can leave / arrive freely until late in the evening. But for those who like shopping, there are many souvenir shops here. A very cool place to study history, I recommend it to everyone who is vacationing in Side!

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Олеся Яшкова

Level 7 Local Expert

Beautiful antique Side! I returned here two years later. I really like this place, the atmosphere is amazing, the historical monuments of architecture, there are also nice cafes with stunning sea views. Narrow streets with old houses, cute shops, a variety of trees and flowers. I recommend it to everyone to visit! Especially at sunset, it's amazing!

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Александр Морозов

Level 17 Local Expert

If you came to look at history, then this is the right choice for this place. You walk among the ruins and new buildings on a thousand-year-old foundation. Unfortunately, the theater is currently under restoration, and you won't be able to get inside. But from the entrance to the old town there is a good panorama of it. At the port, you can take an hour-long boat ride along the ruins of the old town. It costs 5 euros per person. If you take a private boat, then 70 euros per hour per group.

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Хлебушек🍞

Level 16 Local Expert

Walking around old towns is always interesting. In this city, so that you can look at the old ruins that have long gone underground, they made a glass floor and you can look at the ruins of the city! There are many shops with all sorts of junk. Well, there are restaurants too. Beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. Everything is clean and there is a place to sit. I recommend it!

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Ирина Яблочкина

Level 8 Local Expert

The city is big, there are many different facilities, unfortunately, the main theater is closed for restoration until 2027. The temple of Apollo is very beautiful, especially at sunset. All this is just for the lira!! It's good to arrive two hours before sunset, walk around the city, then have dinner at one of the restaurants - they charge both euros and dollars. You can go on pleasure boats.

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Надежда Д

Level 14 Local Expert

Old antique Side is a very atmospheric and beautiful place where the ruins of the ancient city literally coexist with the sea and modern resort life. The narrow streets, columns, amphitheater and Temple of Apollo create the feeling of walking through a living open-air museum. It's nice to just walk around without haste, looking into the arches, at the excavations and to the embankment. The place is suitable for those who love history, beautiful evening light and walks around the old town overlooking the sea. In the evening, it is especially cozy here: the illumination of the ruins, cafes and the sound of the surf create a very pleasant atmosphere. On the downside, some of the excavations began to be covered with glass platforms, on which souvenir shops are now located, because of this, the feeling of authenticity and the "living" ancient city is lost. Such a building format spoils the perception of a historical place and leaves an ambiguous impression.

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Оксана Х.

Level 5 Local Expert

Side is a great way to travel through time, to the eras of ancient Rome and Greece. You can walk along the streets with ancient columns, listen to the sound of the surf near the walls of the ancient city, which collapsed directly into the sea. I am looking forward to the opening of the amphitheater after the restoration, and in 2027 I would like to visit here again!

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Абдуллаев Тимур Ариф

Level 30 Local Expert

The city of contrast. Unfortunately, he is not being cared for, the sights are not being given due attention. Many exhibits are not signed, there are no information stands. Cafes and restaurants, as well as houses, are built on metal piles, and under them there is a 2000-year-old historical value. In summer, it is advisable to go there in the evening, otherwise it is very hot. At the time of July 2025, the amphitheater is closed, there is no access to it, the large sauna complex is not well maintained, admission is free. The Byzantine castle, the Agora Square and the museum are paid (the average price is 250 lire per person). By itself, the city is beautiful, of course, worth a visit (see photos and videos). There are many glass floors, under which you can see various interesting exhibits. You can ride a camel there. We got there on our own, by public transport. From Avsalar, we took the Alanya/Side bus (400 liras for three) to the terminal, then we took route number 1, reached the Side terminal (120 liras for three).

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Людмила Еранова

Level 10 Local Expert

I've been there twice already. It is very interesting to see the ancient city of Side. Those big columns, the streets, the amphitheater. There are also souvenir shops. Access to the sea, with tourist boats. It's great, there's a lot to see.

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Юлия Кремнева

Level 12 Local Expert

Side is generally a very beautiful and cozy city, I recommend you to visit. The excavations of the old city are in full swing, the temple of Apollo is there, the theater is being restored now, it's interesting that they put transparent tiles right on top, it looks unusual and amazing. And their roads are made of stone. We took a tour, the guide tells us a lot of interesting stories, it's just entertaining to listen

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Алексей Н.

Level 5 Local Expert

We ended up at a hotel a 10-minute drive from ancient Side. We were impressed by the visit. The Temple of Apollo is beautiful. A huge number of archaeological exhibits. Plan to take 2-3 hours for a walk. I recommend you to visit.

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tatyanafomicheva79

Level 8 Local Expert

What to see: The fountain, the remains of columns and destroyed houses, the shopping area (agora), the amphitheater (closed for reconstruction in 2025), the temple of Apollo and Aphrodite, effectively illuminated at night. The best time to visit is morning or evening in summer — less heat and a crowd of tourists. Spring/early autumn (February–March) — mild climate and a minimum of people. Pay attention to the glass floors, under them you can see the remains of ancient buildings. You can get from the hotel by bus (there is a sign saying Side) if you are in Manavgat (bus 11) In summer, take water and sun protection with you. Comfortable shoes are required, you will have to walk a lot. Beautiful promenade in the evening Narrow and beautiful streets Video review of attractions https://vk.com/wall-231914965_30 Video tour of the streets and the embankment https://vk.com/wall-231914965_34

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Ольга Медведева

Level 11 Local Expert

The ancient city of Side is an amazing place that is worth visiting for lovers of history and culture. Here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of antiquity and see well-preserved ruins, testifying to the rich history of the region. Main attractions: The ruins of the ancient city are impressive in their scale and preservation. You can see the remains of walls, buildings and other structures that allow you to imagine how the city lived in ancient times. Amphitheater: one of the most impressive places where you can imagine the theatrical performances and other events held here in the past. Roman baths: well-preserved thermal baths with mosaics and architectural details. Vespasian's Gate: a symbol of the city with unique carvings. Archaeological Museum: an exhibition with artifacts found during excavations. Atmosphere: The combination of ancient ruins with modern cafes and souvenir shops creates a special atmosphere. A walk around the city allows you not only to learn about its history, but also to enjoy the beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea.

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dary moliavko

Level 9 Local Expert

It's a very beautiful place where you can literally touch the history! it's great that you can get there for just 1.5 dollars by public transport (bus number 11, back — 10) and explore the area for free: ancient ruins and the coast nearby.

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Ярослав .

Level 10 Local Expert

A great place for walking! If you are interested in ancient ruins, come here! Museums are required to visit. You will also remember the evening walk - everything is highlighted, but there is a minus - there are a lot of people in the evening! It's much less hot during the day. I walked around everything in 3 days - 3.5 hours per walk.

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Елена П.

Level 5 Local Expert

We visited Ancient Side, immersed ourselves in history, and had a Russian-speaking guide who told the story of the ancient city in a very interesting and fascinating way; he gave us the opportunity to walk through the beautiful streets of Ancient Side. It's a very atmospheric place.

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Анастасия

Level 10 Local Expert

The first and most powerful impression is the scale. The ancient city is located on a small peninsula, and its main attractions are within walking distance of each other. You walk along the cobbled streets lined with souvenir shops and restaurants, and just a stone's throw away are the majestic columns of the temple of Apollo or the walls of the Roman theater. It feels like you're in a huge, roofless museum.

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Алина

Level 16 Local Expert

It's a very beautiful city! Well maintained, clean, extremely picturesque! If you are going to relax nearby, be sure to go to this wonderful town - you will have a lot of fun. You can also look at antiquities and have a delicious dinner.

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Сергей М.

Level 12 Local Expert

It's a very atmospheric place. It was the day after a good hurricane, and the sea was choppy, but waves crashing against the shore and piling up rocks, splashing several meters apart only complemented the sunset view that was observed in the ruins of the old city. There were shops along the way, the ice cream man played well with the child, at the time of handing over the ice cream, there are restaurants with European cuisine, in general it is worth visiting there

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Вячеслав

Level 13 Local Expert

You can have a good time, walk through the Ancient Side, see the ruins and the old town, take photos, as well as in the old Side there is a marina, many cafes and souvenir shops.

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Ilona Frolova

Level 7 Local Expert

Beautiful architecture, very beautiful, definitely worth visiting and seeing everything. You can quickly run through all the streets, or spend the whole day and take a good look at everything.

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Ирина Родикова

Level 14 Local Expert

An interesting place to visit. We rested nearby and went for a walk there. We took a bus there and walked back along the embankment. An ancient antique city, well-maintained territory. It is possible with an excursion, it is possible independently.

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Мария Кузьмина

Level 12 Local Expert

The view is divine, the beauty is indescribable, I am ready to come here more than once. The architecture impresses with its volumes. Guided tours at reasonable prices. There is plenty of time for a walk and photos. A large part has been renovated and restored, it is more pleasant to look at all the beauty. Cleanliness and order in the nearby streets.

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Татьяна

Level 9 Local Expert

For general development, and at the same time, take a walk from the hotel to the "center" of the norms. It is better to go early in the morning, while there is no heat. The amphitheater is currently undergoing restoration. For 10 euros you can go inside the "city". You can take beautiful photos.

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Алексей Павлов

Level 6 Local Expert

Beautiful! There was an association as if you go out through Chersonesos to the Yalta embankment) we traveled by public transport, it's not difficult to figure out who's going where, it says where he's going in big letters on minibuses. The taxi is expensive, they charged 15 euros to novamall- 3 km to go, 10 minutes

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Юлия Я

Level 11 Local Expert

Wow! You can't say otherwise! A strong historical site, impressive ruins of the ancient city, Temple of Apollo, Agora, Amphitheater and much more can be seen at arm's length.

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Ольга

Level 19 Local Expert

If you are in Side or somewhere nearby, I advise you to drive to the old town, very beautiful views. It is a pity that they are not very sensitive to cultural heritage, but still there is something to see. It is pleasant to stroll through the streets of the city, to look at what remains of the temple of Apollo. The amphitheater is closed, if anything.

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Ольга Алиева

Level 9 Local Expert

It's a delight!!!Old antique Side is a beautiful city with cool ancient architecture and monuments, the temple of Apollo, the gate of Cleopatra - everything is beautiful here

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Julia Krey

Level 15 Local Expert

The place where time stops! Stunning views and awareness of how many eras and centuries these columns have seen. The temple is beautiful both during the day and at night. Be prepared for a very large number of people, especially in the evening.

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Ольга Федорова

Level 14 Local Expert

I definitely recommend you to visit. Many objects are under restoration, but you won't waste your time. Very cozy promenade, colorful streets. There are many places for insta-photos. I did not take excursions, as there is a detailed description of each attraction on the Internet. It is easy to get there by taxi and public transport. A taxi from the hotel costs both ways with an expectation of $ 50. And when you get to the bus stop, the taxi drivers stop themselves and offer to take you both ways for $ 20. So if you have 3-4 people, then it's easier to take a taxi, of course. Buses run frequently. I was driving from the village of Kyzyl-gach to Manavgat and there at the bus station I transferred to the bus to Side, which goes exactly to the Ancient city. The fare is 1 dollar or 1 euro or 35 lira. As a result, I spent $4 with transfers.

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Сергей Жегланов

Level 7 Local Expert

A great place!!! A lot of work has been done by archaeologists, a large number of buildings have been restored, it's very beautiful!!! Wonderful sunset, beautiful landscapes, colorful shopping streets, shops and restaurants !!! Must-visit.

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Наталья Васендина

Level 5 Local Expert

The antique park and museum are worth exploring. The amphitheater is currently under reconstruction. They pick you up from the entrance in an electric car. There are glass floors throughout the area, through which the excavations are visible.

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Ирина Г.

Level 22 Local Expert

The ancient city of Side is a must-visit, colorful for lovers of antiquity and wonderful for those who like to walk. There is a large parking lot at the entrance. We recommend walking there (~ 15 min.) to the center of the old town, and back to buy a ticket for cars (small cars with 5-6 seats). The ruins are impressive, especially the huge amphitheater (they did not go inside, since 17 euros per person) and the temple of Apollo. Walking through the streets of ancient Side is a pleasure, small stone houses, cafes, shops.

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татьяна л.

Level 5 Local Expert

A wonderful historical place in Turkey! An ancient Greek, Roman city with a rich history.Excavations are underway, there is an archeology museum, the whole city is a continuous museum.An atmospheric shopping street, just like in Jerusalem!

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Анна

Level 8 Local Expert

The ancient city of Side is easy to find on the map. The main attractions are free, when we went there was a paid entrance to the ancient theater, the museum and the columns, the ticket office starts working from 10. There aren't many people in the morning and you can safely take beautiful photos.

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Алексей Плюснин

Level 28 Local Expert

It's a masterpiece. A must-visit. The self-guided tour will take about 2 hours. Everything is free. Don't get lost. All bus routes stop near the beginning of the tour, the price of the bus along the Side to the museum starts from 1-2 euros. Travel by electric car along the entire museum of the ancient city is 15 liras (45 rubles). It is better to go in the evening, capture the sunset, then turn on the illumination of all the objects of the museum - it is very beautiful. I recommend 100%. Friends, if you like or my review helped, please like and or subscribe to my reviews, thereby you will help me to continue to develop and be useful to you.

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Алексей Козин

Level 8 Local Expert

It is a very beautiful place, a must-visit, it is better to walk around on your own, without an excursion, to calmly disappear into the atmosphere of the ancient city and feel yourself for a moment somewhere else. Very good replicas of ancient architecture are made quite qualitatively and clearly.

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Дарья Тростянская

Level 9 Local Expert

It's a very beautiful place There is a place to walk, we were delighted and very impressed. It is a pity that some ruins are covered with modern buildings.

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Александр Булычев

Level 6 Local Expert

September 10, 2025. The cost for two adults and two children is 1,500 rubles. There's nothing to see. The amphitheater is closed for restoration. There are signs everywhere that passage is prohibited. There is no information about this anywhere. He can only see the road leading to the amphitheater and the ancient houses along the street without entering them.

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Екатерина С.

Level 7 Local Expert

A beautiful place, the atmosphere of antiquity, now in 2024 restoration is almost everywhere, I advise you to put on a headdress, smear your face with spf, take more water, the prices are more or less adequate (for drinks), it was very very hot, but insanely beautiful, I advise you just to come by car or by bus, but the tour is better Don't take it

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Екатерина Т.

Level 9 Local Expert

The old streets are very beautiful, the small shop with friendly vendors and of course the Temple and ancient buildings are fascinating.

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Юлия Апрельская

Level 14 Local Expert

It's very beautiful, but everything is blocked by a grid, access is prohibited, you can only admire it from the outside, there are a lot of tourists, especially in the evening… But the seekers will always find a way through.

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Мария Эркина

Level 11 Local Expert

We are pleased with the visit, I liked that the restoration of such places continues and money is being allocated for this. Everything is clean, pleasant, and there are a lot of tourists. I really recommend taking a walk once.

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Side Ancient City

993 reviews