The first time I wandered into Side's old town, it felt like stepping into a live-action set where the props were 2,000 years old and the sea played its own soundtrack. The modern sprawl around it may be all resorts and rental cars, but the core of Side is unapologetically ancient. Cobbled streets weave through broken columns and sun-bleached ruins. Roman temples stand stubbornly by the sea, and a theatre that once held gladiators now holds tourists with selfie sticks. It's alive, buzzing with life, commerce, music, and that distinctly Turkish mix of warm hospitality, low-key haggling, and learned phrases about Tesco.
Sights & Culture
Temple of Apollo
Iconic coastal ruins framed perfectly by the sea. Best visited at golden hour when the light catches the fluted columns. It's worth going soon, as the recently opened Apollo Nightclub is allegedly causing nightly damage to the structures with its noise.
Athena Temple
Sits just behind Apollo, slightly more ruined but historically part of the same sacred complex. Some of the fallen columns still bear intricate carvings, and it's easy to imagine the two temples once dominating the peninsula together. There's no signage, but the view across to the harbour is lovely.
Side Theatre
Massive Roman structure with seating for over 15,000. You can still walk the stage like a gladiator (or a hammy actor), though it was closed for repairs when I visited.
Nymphaeum
An impressive Roman fountain complex at the main entrance to the old town. Double-storeyed and richly decorated in its heyday, though now mostly crumbled. Still, the scale of it hints at how prosperous Side once was. Most visitors walk past without even realising what it is.
Temple of Hercules
Tucked into a quieter section of the ruins. Smaller than Apollo and Athena, with fewer standing stones, but it adds to the picture of Side as a religious centre. Little is marked or preserved here, but it's worth a short detour if you're exploring the full archaeological zone.
Temple of Men
Dedicated to the Anatolian moon god Men, this is a fascinating blend of local religion and Roman architecture. Only fragments remain — a base, some column drums, and foundation stones — but it hints at Side's spiritual diversity under Roman rule. Off the main path, so you may have it to yourself.
Devlet Agorası (State Agora)
An open civic square ringed with columns and surrounded by the remains of public buildings. Believed to be used for official gatherings, business, or administration. There's a small temple ruin at its centre, possibly used for imperial cult worship. Quiet and often shaded, it's a good spot to escape the heat and crowds.
Antik Büyük Hamam
The great Roman bath complex whose halls and vaulted rooms now double as the home of the Side Museum. Worth seeing for the architecture alone — cold, warm, and hot chambers, passageways, and the sheer scale of civic life under the empire.
Museums & Galleries
Side Museum
A small but atmospheric museum set inside an ancient Roman bathhouse. Highlights include chunky sarcophagi, reliefs, and statues excavated from the surrounding ruins. There's also a nice little cafe in the grounds.
Parks & Gardens
Side Archaeological Zone
It's not a manicured garden, but it is an open-air sprawl of ancient city remains, with trees poking through columns and stones scattered like puzzle pieces. Lovely to wander, but make sure you have water and a hat.
Restaurants & Bars
Yunus Cafe bistro
Makes a good pizza or kebab. Opposite the Theater Café.
Theater Café
Cute outdoor cafe near the start of Side Old Town.
Shopping
Side Old Town Market
Everything from lanterns and fake watches to evil eye charms and embroidered throws. Pricey, but haggle-friendly.
Sports & Activities
Boat trips from Side harbour
Day cruises with snorkelling stops, lazy sunbathing decks, and the occasional foam party. Also a decent way to view the coastline.
Inland, Aspendos and the surrounding sites are the natural next stops along the coast.