The answer to the question "In which district is the ancient city of Side located?" is directly that it belongs to Manavgat, a beautiful district of Antalya famous for its waterfall. While the ancient city of Side is currently located within the Manavgat district, in the past it was the most important source of income and port for the Pamphylia region.
On this page
- What is there to see in the ancient city of Side?
- Who built the ancient city of Side?
- Who lived in the ancient city of Side?
- How old is the ancient city of Side?
- Side Hospitals
- What is Side famous for?
- Information about the Temple of Apollo in Side
- Does the Temple of Apollo have to pay an entrance fee?
- Is the museum pass valid at the Side Underwater Museum?
- What time is Side Ancient City open?
- How many ancient cities are there in Antalya?
- Is it safe to swim in the sea at Side Ancient City?
- What's the sea like in Side?
- How to get from Antalya to Side Ancient City?
- How to get from Antalya Airport to Side?
- How to get from Antalya Bus Station to Side?
- Related Guides
What is there to see in the ancient city of Side?
The ancient city of Side is situated on a peninsula, an important point in the Pamphylia region. Founded in the 8th century BC, the city boasts numerous historical structures. Significant features such as city walls, a city gate, an agora, an ancient theater, baths, houses, temples, a basilica, and the Temples of Apollo and Athena can be seen around the ancient city. An ideal place for those wishing to delve deeper into Side's history, the ancient theater is one of the region's most famous structures. It is also believed that the answer to the question of which civilization Side belonged to is the Pamphylians.
Imagine people walking on these stones in espadrilles, a type of shoe with a straw sole. You'll experience the same feeling, and more.
Who built the ancient city of Side?
Side, one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia, was founded by the Pamphylians before the 7th century BC. Side existed during the same period as other Pamphylian cities in Anatolian history. The Greeks migrated to Side in the 7th century BC.
Who lived in the ancient city of Side?
Research conducted on the ancient city of Side reveals that it was founded much earlier than previously thought. Side was ruled by the Greeks, Lydians, and later the Persians. The city flourished under Persian rule before being conquered by Alexander the Great.
How old is the ancient city of Side?
Side was the most important port of the Pamphylia region in ancient times. It has been welcoming visitors on a peninsula 8 km from Manavgat since the 8th century BC.
Side, due to its location, was a unique city that many civilizations wanted to possess. So, what was the purpose of the ancient city of Side? After 78 BC, the Romans took control of the city and, in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, transformed the region into a bustling trade center. It experienced a rich and prosperous period in the slave trade. During the 2nd century, it was also known as an important center for science and culture.
Side Hospitals
Hospital Name: Private Side Anadolu Hospital
Phone: 0(242) 744 02 02
Fax: 0(242) 753 49 69
Address: Yalı Mahallesi Side Bulvarı No: 55 Side
District: Manavgat
Province: Antalya
Website Address: Side Anadolu Hospital
What is Side famous for?
Its beaches, agoras, and every place connected to history give Side a different meaning. So, where to visit in Side? Among these historical areas, the famous historical sites of Side are:
- Temple of Apollo
- Side Amphitheater
- Side Ancient City
- Monumental Fountain (Nymphaeum)
- Aspendos Bridge
- Vespasian Monument
- Temple of Tyche
Information about the Temple of Apollo in Side
About the Temple of Apollo in Side, Antalya: Located in Side and dating back to the Roman period, the Temple of Apollo boasts striking architecture. The temple is dedicated to Apollo, the god of light, beauty, and art, and one of the principal deities of the city of Side. Between 1982 and 1990, the structure was rebuilt, and the damage it had suffered over the years was repaired. The rectangular structure features Corinthian-capped columns.
Today, the Temple of Apollo, one of Side's most famous landmarks, attracts both local and foreign visitors. When Side became a Christian city in the 3rd century AD, part of the temple was dismantled to be used in the construction of a basilica. Today, efforts have been made to preserve the structure by rebuilding the temple.
During your stay in the town, the Temple of Apollo, the Side Ancient Theatre, and Köprülü Canyon are among the most special places you should see when visiting the ancient city of Side. The Ottomans, who called the world map Cihannüma in the old language, had seen Side, where the Temple of Apollo is located, marked as an important port in maps and documents from the past.
Does the Temple of Apollo have to pay an entrance fee?
Entrance to the Temple of Apollo in Side is free. During your tour of Side's historical sites, only the Side Museum and the Side Theatre charge an entrance fee.
Is the museum pass valid at the Side Underwater Museum?
Museum cards are not valid for the Side Underwater Museum. Tours to the Side Underwater Museum are offered by private companies with prices ranging from 500 TL to 1000 TL.
Side Underwater Museum is one of the best places for diving in the Antalya region. The museum opened to visitors on September 30, 2015. Located in Manavgat, the underwater museum consists of caves and shipwrecks in the open sea. It is the only underwater museum in Europe. It is open daily between 09:00 and 16:00.
The entrance fee to the Side Underwater Museum allows you to dive to a depth of 15 meters and experience underwater life. You will see over a hundred things there. There is no need to worry as everything has been carefully and professionally planned. The museum houses artifacts from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods.
What time is Side Ancient City open?
Side Museum and Side Ancient City Opening and Closing Hours
Side Museum is under renovation as of March 2024. Side Museum Opening Hours: 08:30, Side Museum Closing Hours: 17:30, Side Museum Ticket Office Closing Hours: 16:30.
The entrance fee for the Side Ancient Theatre is 17 Euros. The price is more reasonable with a museum card. The Side Ancient Theatre is open daily from 08:00 to 20:00.
The opening time for the ancient city of Side is entered as 08:00 and the closing time is entered as 19:00.
How many ancient cities are there in Antalya?
Karain Cave, Termessos, Trebenna, Ariassos, Onobara, Perge, Aspendos (Belkıs), Phaselis, Olympos – Chimaira, Limyra, Arykanda, Rhodiapolis, Akalissos, Anydros – Eudokias, Arneai, Alanya Castle and Monuments, Alarahan Castle, Colybrassus, Hamaxia, Laertes, Syedra, Iotape, Selinus, Antiochia Ad Cragum, Selge, Lyrbe (Seleukela), Etenna, Choma (Hacımusalar), Poğla, Podalia, Karataş (Semayük), Myra, Xanthos, Antiphellos (Kaş), Sura, Teimiussa (Üçağız), Andriake (Çayağzı), Simena (Kaleköy), Kekova, Aperlai, Apollonia, Arneai (again), St. Nicholas, Isinda, Kandyba, Kyaneai, St. (St.) The Nikolaos Monument Museum, Patara, Phellos, Trysa, Andriake, Andriake Granarium (Horrea Hadriani), and the Lycian League Assembly Building. Some of these may not be considered ancient cities, but we can say that there are 37 ancient cities in Antalya.
Is it safe to swim in the sea at Side Ancient City?
If you're wondering, "Is it possible to swim in the sea at Side Ancient City?", the answer is yes, the beaches and sea tourism in the city are quite developed. You can also easily access nearby beaches such as Side Public Beach, Evrenseki Public Beach, Kumköy Beach, and Side Beach (a hidden gem) for affordable prices.
What's the sea like in Side?
With its sandy beach and pristine waters, swimming in the sea at Side's beaches is a very enjoyable experience. Additionally, food and drinks are easily accessible in some paid areas.
How to get from Antalya to Side Ancient City?
You can reach the ancient city of Side by taking buses departing from Antalya bus station. The journey from Antalya to Side takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can travel directly to Side by private car via the D400 highway.
How to get from Antalya Airport to Side?
Some buses departing from Antalya Airport go to Side. To get to Side, you can take a taxi or a private shuttle service.
How to get from Antalya Bus Station to Side?
There are regular bus services from Antalya bus station to Side.





