There are many beautiful coastal destinations along the Mediterranean, but few offer the unique experience of Side. Here, history is not confined to museums or archaeological sites separated from everyday life. Instead, it becomes part of the journey itself. Every street, every corner and every sea view is accompanied by reminders of the civilizations that once flourished here.
Located in the district of Manavgat on Türkiye’s southern coast, Side was one of the most important ports of ancient Pamphylia. Over the centuries, it was shaped by Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine influences, leaving behind a remarkable collection of monuments that continue to define the town today.
What immediately strikes visitors is how seamlessly ancient history blends with modern life. Restaurants, boutiques and cafes stand alongside Roman walls and centuries-old ruins. Rather than feeling like a city built around an archaeological site, Side feels like an archaeological site that continues to live and breathe.
A view of the Temple of Apollo ruins in the ancient city of Side, Antalya, southern Türkiye, June 9, 2026. (Photo by Neslişah Yılmaz Hidayetoğlu)
Glass walkways, ancient streets
