Side

The most important port city of Pamphylia in ancient times, Side is located on a 350-400-meter-wide peninsula, located 80 kilometers east of Antalya, seven kilometers southwest of Manavgat.

Side became a settlement in the seventh century BCE. In the sixth century BCE, the city was dominated by the entire Pamphylia and the Lydian Kingdom. Continued its existence under the rule of Alexander the Great for a while, however, the city changed hands between the Hellenistic Period kingdoms after the death of Alexander. The city was later ruled under the Kingdom of Pergamum, Rome and the Eastern Roman Empire.

Selimiye Village was established by Cretan immigrants in the early 20th century on the ruins of Side Ancient City, which is known as a trade and port city. Built on a peninsula, Side runs along a monumental street that starts from the main gate of the city, as in other Pamphylia cities. The main street, starting from the Great Gate in the northeast, runs along the peninsula in an almost straight line except the arc in front of the ancient theater and ends with a large square near the temples. The second largest street of the city extends from the Great Gate to the south of the city. Both streets have pillars, on both sides there are porticoes with Corinthian capitals and a row of shops behind them.

Recent excavations in Side made the town quite interesting, several ruins, shops, hotels, restaurants are all mingled up and it makes you feel you are walking in wonderland. Side museum, converted from the ancient bath, contains beautiful sculptural pieces from Side, marking cities wealth and prosperity especially during the Roman Imperial period.

The pillars of the magnificent Temple of Apollo in Side on the Mediterranean Coast are one of the most picturesque symbols of Antalya. After seeing the pillars of the Temple of Apollo, the amazing ancient theater which still hosts concerts and shows, the agora, the Vespasianus Monument you can enjoy a relaxing swim in the Mediterranean Sea and Antalya's year-round sunshine. Side is a superb example of ancient history right on the Mediterranean Sea with sunshine and an inviting sea.

The ancient city welcomes visitors until 22:30 during the summer season.