Where Is the Ancient City of Side, Antalya?

The ancient city of Side is located on the southern coast of Turkey, along the Mediterranean Sea—an area often referred to as the "Turkish Riviera." History enthusiasts often call Side an "open-air museum" or a "museum city of antiquity." This ancient site is nestled between the cities of Antalya and Alanya, with its old town situated on a small peninsula—a place that draws thousands of visitors each year. In the following, you'll get to know more about the mysterious ancient city of Side, its history, and its architecture.

Where Is Side Located?

Side is located just 60 kilometers from the city of Antalya, near Manavgat—a city known for its bustling market and the ancient ruins of Aspendos. Visiting the area is an unforgettable experience for anyone passionate about history and culture.
Side’s beaches are long and sandy, and the sea near the coast is shallow, making it ideal for swimming. This creates a perfectly safe and family-friendly environment, especially for children.
The best time to visit the region is from May to September. Although the heat during mid-summer can be a bit intense, the weather in other seasons is generally more moderate and pleasant.

Interesting Facts About the Ancient City of Side in Turkey

·         The history of Side dates back to the 6th century BCE.

·         The word "Side" means "pomegranate" in the local language.

·         During the transitional period from antiquity to the modern age, Side became a well-known port for pirates and the slave trade.

·         The city and its governance began to decline in the late 4th century CE.

·         By the 10th century CE, Side was almost completely abandoned and remained that way until 1895, when Turkish refugees from the island of Crete settled there.

·         In the late 20th century, Side transformed into a popular tourist destination, with large hotels and resorts built around it.

·         Many ancient structures have been preserved in the oldest part of the city.

·         The Temple of Apollo, located right by the sea, is considered the most iconic landmark of Side.

·         Side is said to have more than 300 sunny days a year.

·         The city offers fantastic seaside activities, such as diving, boat rentals, and sea cruises.

·         Notable nearby sites include the ancient city of Aspendos and the bustling Manavgat market.

History of the Ancient City of Side

Side is a city with deep historical roots, believed to have been founded during the era of the ancient Lydian Kingdom—a prosperous land filled with fertile plains, numerous rivers, and thriving trade routes. During this era, Greek settlers arrived, founded the city, and built a temple in honor of the goddess Athena.
When Lydia was attacked by the Persian Empire in the 5th century BCE, the kingdom weakened and eventually came under Roman and later Egyptian rule. Continuous wars and unrest diminished the city’s prominence, and by the 1st century BCE, it had become a base for pirates.
With the rise of full Roman control, piracy was eradicated, and Side became a center of the slave trade, with even local merchants turning to this business. The city flourished during this time, becoming wealthy and undergoing extensive construction.
However, over the following centuries, wars, earthquakes, and natural disasters led to its downfall. By the 10th century CE, Side was almost entirely destroyed and abandoned, with only myths and local tales keeping its memory alive.

Side During Turkish Rule and in Modern Times

Side remained deserted and forgotten until 1895, when it became a refuge for Turkish migrants. Over the next few decades, the area developed into a relatively large town.
Unfortunately, these settlers demolished many of the ancient ruins to use the materials for constructing their own homes. Later, they realized that destroying walls buried for centuries was not worthwhile. Instead, they covered the ruins with soil and built Ottoman-style structures on top.
This enabled modern archaeologists to uncover the valuable remains of the ancient city of Side.
Today, Side is a recognized tourist city, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. With its abundant ruins and charming Ottoman village atmosphere, it offers a delightful and memorable experience.

The Ancient City of Side and Its Attractions
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, Side is often referred to as a "museum city" or an "open-air museum of antiquity." When you walk through this area, it quickly becomes clear why it holds this title.
Wherever you look, stone remnants of the ancient world rise into the sky. Seeing ancient gates, old house walls, columns, and statue fragments in the streets of Side feels completely natural—here, you truly come face to face with history.

1.     Temple of Apollo, Goddess Artemis, and Goddess Athena in Ancient Side

The ancient Temple of Apollo in Side is one of the most complete and magnificent temples remaining along the coasts of Antalya. From its original structure, five large columns and parts of the roof still stand. Built in the 2nd century CE in the Corinthian style, the temple once boasted dozens of columns, and its image can be found on ancient Sidean coins. In Greek mythology, Apollo was the god of beauty, light, and the patron of artists and their inspiration.
Beside the Temple of Apollo, there were two other temples—one dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, arts, and just warfare, and the other to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, nature, animals, fertility, and the moon.
Today, only the ruins and foundations of these temples remain, but the available information and reconstructions help visitors visualize the former glory of these structures.

Visiting these ruins is free of charge and possible at any time of day or night. Sunrise offers a particularly breathtaking view of the temple and the coastline, although the large number of tourists may prevent a tranquil and solitary visit.

2. Archaeological Museum in the Old Town of Side

Side’s museum is housed in ancient Roman baths where remains of the old city, sculptures, pottery, and various decorative elements are preserved—artifacts discovered during excavations in the Side region.
It is highly recommended to visit the ancient baths located within the museum complex. These baths are rectangular in shape and divided into several rooms, each with a different function. For instance, one room was used for changing clothes, while another had a covered pool filled with warm water.

3.     The Colonnaded Street in the Ancient City of Side

The colonnaded street of Side was considered the city’s showcase at the time. The street was 20 meters wide and flanked on both sides by rows of columns. The entire street there were marble, and olive trees and flowers lined its edges. The wealthiest merchants of Side had shops along this street, and in addition to their businesses, magnificent villas, small churches, and important administrative offices were built here.

4.     The Ruins of the Roman Theater in Side, Turkey

The ancient Roman theater of Side is located at the narrowest part of the peninsula, amidst the ruins of the ancient city. Built in the 2nd century CE atop an older structure, the theater had a semicircular shape and originally had two tiers, of which only the lower level with stone arches remains today.
The theater stage is 63 meters long, had three levels, and was decorated with columns and statues. Inside, there were nine rooms connected by corridors, and five gates adorned with statues were built for actors to enter the stage.
The theater had a seating capacity of about 15,000. During the height of gladiatorial combat, tall walls were built to separate the audience from the arena. Naval battles were even staged here. After the fall of Rome, some of the theater’s materials were repurposed for constructing the city’s defensive walls, and in the 5th century, it was converted into a church.

5.     The Ancient Nymphaeum in the Old Town of Side

In ancient Greek and Roman cities, a nymphaeum was a structure built for providing drinking and daily utility water. Side’s ancient nymphaeum is remarkably well-preserved and is located just behind the city’s entrance gate.
Water for the nymphaeum was supplied by city aqueducts from the Manavgat River. Ordinary residents collected water for personal use from the public nymphaeum, while the homes of the wealthiest citizens had private plumbing systems connected to personal baths.

6.     The Agora and the Temple of the Goddess Tyche in Side

The agora served as the main cultural and commercial center of the city, rectangular in shape and famous for slave trading and olive oil production.
At the center of Side’s agora stood a temple dedicated to the goddess of blind fate, fortune, and protector of cities—Goddess Fortuna. Legends say it was the most beautiful temple in the city, and as long as it was well maintained, Side thrived in prosperity. However, when an earthquake damaged the temple walls and city officials failed to restore it, Side began its decline. Today, the temple has been partially restored, with the reconstruction costing over $50,000 USD.

7.     The Ancient Gate of Vespasian

The entrance gate to Side, located near the ancient theater, stands about 13 meters tall and is considered one of the city's architectural marvels. It is believed that this gate was once even taller, possibly crowned by a sculpture of a chariot drawn by four horses.
Known as the "Gate of Vespasian," it features a semi-oval central arch flanked by two columns. Its decorations—including a depiction of Medusa’s head—are still well preserved.
Historically, this gate served as the main connection to Side’s city center. Today, part of it remains open to vehicle traffic, though its narrow width makes it difficult for large vehicles to pass.

Planning a Trip to Side, the City of Wonders

Side is well-connected to other parts of Turkey, and it is easily accessible from almost anywhere in the country with car rental in Antalya. The nearest airport to side is Antalya Airport, and local buses operating year-round can take you directly from the airport to Side.
Due to the area’s popularity, it’s advisable to plan your trip well in advance. As the peak tourist season approaches, prices rise significantly and hotel availability becomes limited. Overall, Side is an excellent starting point for exploring the Antalya region and is well worth a visit.

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