Side's old town sits inside the perimeter of an ancient Greek and Roman port. You can walk every important monument in two hours without rushing — and the streets between are filled with shops, restaurants, and views.
Start at the Vespasian Gate, the ceremonial Roman entrance dating from 71 AD. Most transfers drop you near here. The gate's arch still stands at full height with carved decoration.
Walk straight ahead to the Roman Theatre, the largest in the region with capacity for 15,000 spectators. The acoustics are extraordinary — speak from the orchestra and you can be heard at the top row. The theatre is open daily 08:30–19:00 in summer, 08:30–17:00 in winter. Entry around 200 TL.
Next to the theatre is the Side Museum, housed in restored Roman baths. Small but excellent collection of statues recovered from the site, including a famous Hermes torso. Allow 30 minutes.
From the theatre, walk south along Liman Caddesi (Harbour Street). This is the main pedestrian artery of old town. Both sides lined with cafes, ice cream shops, leather goods, jewellery, and Turkish delight. Don't buy anything yet — prices on this street are 30–40% above what you'll find on side streets.
Halfway down, turn right into the side streets. The narrow alleys behind Liman Caddesi are where locals shop and eat. Look for hand-painted ceramic shops, family-run lokantas with daily-changing dishes (look for "ev yemekleri" signs), and tiny barber shops.
Return to Liman Caddesi and continue to the harbour. The fishing boats here have been moored in this same spot for 2,000+ years. Many are now small day-trip vessels offering 1-hour boat tours of the coast for around 300 TL per person.
Walk left along the harbour edge until you reach the Apollo Temple — five tall Corinthian columns standing on a marble base, built in the 2nd century AD. This is Side's symbol and one of Turkey's most photographed ancient sites. Entry is free; arrive 30–40 minutes before sunset for the best light.
Beside the Apollo Temple is the Athena Temple, of which only a few stones remain. Together they formed the religious heart of ancient Side.
For dinner, walk back into the old town along the harbour. Soundwaves Restaurant and Ocakbaşı Grill are reliable choices. For something special, Mr. Coleman Steakhouse has views of the Apollo Temple from its terrace.
Tips
- Best time: Start at 16:00 in summer, 14:00 in winter, to finish at the Apollo Temple at sunset.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Old Roman paving is uneven.
- Bring water: There are fountains but bottle prices are high in shops on Liman Caddesi.
- Cash: Card payments work in most restaurants but small shops prefer cash. ATMs at the start of Liman Caddesi.
How to get to Side old town
The old town is a pedestrian zone. Tour buses and shuttles drop at the Vespasian Gate parking. Private transfers from Antalya Airport drop you at the same spot — about 75 minutes from the airport. Some hotels are within walking distance; others (in Manavgat or Sorgun) are a short taxi ride from old town.