Side

Side: A Timeless Shimmer on the Turkish Riviera

Side, the pearl of the Antalya province, or the Pamphylian coast as it was known in ancient times, continues to captivate visitors long after sunset. As daylight fades, the Temple of Apollo remains aglow mere steps from the shoreline, its ancient columns casting golden hues on the surrounding sand. As the Mediterranean breeze gently wafts in the air, the entire scene unfolds like a dream —arguably one of the most romantic backdrops on the Turkish Riviera.,

The city’s story stretches back to the 6th century BCE, when it emerged as a bustling port on a narrow peninsula about 80 kilometers east of Antalya. Over the centuries, the famed locale has witnessed the rise and fall of empires and a string of Hellenistic rulers from Alexander the Great to the Kingdom of Pergamon, the Romans, and later, the Eastern Romans (Byzantines). In the early 20th century, Cretan immigrants built Selimiye Village atop its ruins, unknowingly laying the foundation for the popular summer resort enclave it has become today —one buzzing with a wealth of shops, hotels, and restaurants set among the surrounding monuments and legacy.

Today, Side feels pretty much like an open-air museum. As visitors stroll through its lively streets day and night, they can step into shops where glass floors reveal the ancient ruins preserved beneath their feet.

Side’s ancient grid was designed around a grand boulevard, much like other cities in Pamphylia. This main thoroughfare begins at the impressive Great Gate and traverses the peninsula, culminating at a spacious square near the temples. A second major street extends southward from the gate. Both thoroughfares were once lined with elegant colonnaded porticoes, sheltering rows of shops.

Recent excavations and a carefully designed lighting project have breathed new life into Side, making its past more vivid than ever. After dusk, the city gains an otherworldly look amidst the interplay of light and shadow cast over the facades of its ages-old monuments. Among these is the exceptional freestanding Roman theater with a seating capacity of 20,000 —an impressive venue that once staged theatrical performances, religious ceremonies, and gladiatorial combats.

The theater still hosts performances today. If you're lucky, you might catch a summer concert under the stars.

NOT TO MISS: The Side Museum, converted from an ancient bath, features many beautiful sculptures excavated in and around Side, a testament to the city’s wealth and prosperity during the Roman Imperial period. Side's close proximity to the Taurus Mountains allows for a variety of daily excursions, from a jeep safari in Green Canyon to rafting through the moderate rapids of Köprülü Canyon.