Side is an ancient city and a modern resort on the southern coast of Turkey, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, about 75 km from Antalya.
According to our guide, the areas where five-star hotels now rise, and where cafés, restaurants, and tourists fill the streets, were just 15–20 years ago fields where cows grazed and fishing nets were laid out to dry.
The tourism industry came to Side relatively recently, but today it accounts for about 90% of the city’s income. In winter, life in the city slows down—most shops and restaurants close, and the streets are nearly empty.
How to get to Side from your hotel
You can get to Side from your hotel by minibus (dolmuş). They run very frequently, and the guide mentioned the fare is about $2. These minibuses stop near hotel entrances along their route.
It’s useful to learn two Turkish words:
- “dur” — stop
- “durak” — bus stop
You can also take a taxi. Taxi fares in Side are usually displayed at taxi stands. From Alva Donna Beach Resort, a ride to Side costs around €17. We personally went to Side by taxi.
Another option is to rent a scooter near the hotel — it costs about $15 per day.
Side is a very charming town, with relatively new buildings and wide, well-maintained streets that are pleasant to walk around. It’s definitely worth coming here from your hotel to explore: see the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, visit ancient Side, relax in one of the many cozy cafés, take a walk along the promenade, and buy some souvenirs.
Let’s take a walk through the coastal tourist area of the city. The квартал closest to the sea is lined with two-storey houses built during the Ottoman Empire. Today, they are all occupied by cafés and small shops.
Prices are quite reasonable. For example, in shops selling bags and backpacks, you often see signs like “Everything €5” or “Everything €10.”
If you step away from the main street, you’ll come across quiet, cozy streets.
The promenade is quite picturesque, with a small bay and a lighthouse. Right here along the waterfront, you can also see the ruins of the Temple of Apollo.
Набережна з корабликами
A promenade stretches along the seashore. Boats are waiting to take tourists on sea trips. Here, we bought a large bag of pistachios for 50 lira. Overall, pistachios in Turkey are much cheaper than in Ukraine.
