Side Holidays

Side holidays are the rare kind where you can have breakfast overlooking a Roman temple. It's Turkey's history lesson with a cocktail in hand, and it absolutely slaps.

Good to know

• Fun fact: Side is one of the few places in the world where you can have a kebab while sitting literally next to a Roman temple. The Temple of Apollo is floodlit at night, genuinely one of the most romantic spots in Turkey.

• Best beach: East Beach for peace and quiet, West Beach for bars and action. Can't decide? Do both, they're a 10-minute walk apart.

• Money talk: Your pound goes a very long way. A cold Efes at a local bar is around £1.50–2, a proper kebab wrap from a street stall is £1–2, and a meal for two at a decent harbour restaurant comes in around £20–30. All-inclusive means most of this is academic anyway.

• Transfer time: Around 1 hour from Antalya Airport (AYT). Most UK airports have direct routes in summer,Jet2, TUI, easyJet, and Turkish Airlines all operate flights.

Holiday Highlights

• Two beaches, one resort  - Most resorts give you one beach and call it a day. Side gives you two and they couldn't be more different. West Beach is lively, buzzy, and lined with watersports and beach bars. East Beach is calm, quiet, and perfect for a long walk at golden hour. Pick your mood and head in the right direction.

• 10km of golden sand - Side's coastline stretches for over 10 kilometres of fine golden sand, from the old town beaches all the way through Sorgun's pine-fringed shores and out to Kumköy. Whether you're a sunlounger-and-cocktail person or a walk-until-you-find-the-quiet-bit person, there's more than enough beach to go around.

• Food that'll ruin your diet in the best possible way - Turkish breakfast buffets that go on forever. Fresh fish pulled out of the harbour and grilled to order while you watch. Köfte and kebabs from street stalls for the price of a UK bus fare. Meze spreads that arrive before you've even decided what you want. Side's food scene won't win any Michelin stars, but it will absolutely win your heart.

The best beaches in Side

Side has over 10 kilometres of fine golden sand, making it one of Turkey's best beach destinations and unlike most resorts, the ruins make the backdrop genuinely spectacular. Here are the ones worth staking your towel on:

West Beach (Batı Plajı) - the livelier of the two main beaches, running along the western edge of the peninsula. This is where the beach bars, watersports operators, and sunlounger rows are. Great for people-watching and getting into the action.

East Beach (Doğu Plajı) - the quieter side, perfect for those who want calm water and fewer crowds. The east side is infinitely calmer and perfect for sunset strolls, picnics, or hunting for ancient coins that occasionally wash ashore, yes, really.

Sorgun Beach - a beautiful stretch of coastline a few kilometres east of the old town, flanked by pine forest and notably less developed. This quieter spot is perfect for those who want a more peaceful escape while still within easy reach of the resort. Several of the best hotels, including Arcanus Hotels Sorgun, sit right on this stretch.

Kumköy Beach - further east again, a long sandy shore popular with families. Calmer water, good facilities, and a more local atmosphere than the main town beaches.

Where to stay in Side

Side works for pretty much everyone, loved-up couples, families going full waterpark mode, groups after late nights, and anyone who wants a package holiday that punches way above its price tag. Here's the lowdown:

Families

Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection - Eleven waterslides, a dedicated kids club and only 250 metres from the beach. Honestly, the kids are going to love you for this one. All-inclusive and stacked with family facilities, one of Side's most consistently well-reviewed resorts.

Club Turan Prince World - A waterpark with 7 slides for kids and 7 for adults (the parents aren't being left out), beautiful gardens, a beachfront fish restaurant, and all-inclusive rates that make the whole thing genuinely great value. Big resort energy done properly.

Royal Atlantis Icon - An aqua park pool with waterslides, four à la carte dining options, and sports facilities ranging from yoga to volleyball. The kind of resort where the kids disappear in the morning and come back exhausted at dinner. Result.

Couples

Sorgun Akadia Luxury Hotel -Adults Only (16+) - Set in the pine-fringed Sorgun area with direct beach access and a properly grown-up atmosphere. No kids, no chaos, just you, the Mediterranean, and a sun lounger with your name on it. The kind of place where a holiday actually feels like a holiday.

Calido Maris Hotel - Private beach access, six water slides and poolside fun for when you want a bit of action, plus a full-service spa and gym for when you don't. A solid mid-range option for couples who want flexibility.

Luxury

Arcanus Hotels Sorgun - The highest-rated hotel on this list for good reason. Direct private beach access, multiple pools including one with waterslides, and six bars on-site including a 24-hour lobby bar for those nights that just keep going. Set in the stunning Sorgun pine forest area, quieter and more refined than the main resort strip but with everything you need on site.

Groups

Club Turan Prince World - Already flagged for families, but it's equally brilliant for groups. Multiple pools, a full waterpark, all-inclusive dining that keeps everyone fed without bill-splitting stress, and a beachfront location that means the fun never has to stop. Competitive all-inclusive rates for a resort this size.

Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection - Eleven waterslides and a party-ready pool setup make this a no-brainer for groups wanting fun in the sun without splashing out on luxury. Close to the beach and consistently excellent reviews across the board.

Local lingo

A few words that'll go a long way in Side:

• Hello - Merhaba

• Hi (casual) - Selam

• Thank you - Teşekkür ederim

• Cheers! - Şerefe!

• How much is it? - Bu ne kadar?

• Very beautiful - Çok güzel

• Where is the beach? - Plaj nerede?

• The bill please - Hesap lütfen

Side Travel Guide 2026

Things to do for families

• Temple of Apollo and the ancient ruins - Side's old town is essentially an open-air archaeological museum, and it's completely free to wander. The Temple of Apollo right on the seafront is the headline act, but the Roman amphitheatre, agora, and scattered columns throughout the streets are just as good. Older kids love the sheer scale; younger ones love climbing things they probably shouldn't.

• West Beach watersports - the main beach has every watersport going: jet skis, banana boats, parasailing, pedalo hire, and glass-bottom boat trips. Good for burning off energy and getting the adrenaline going for all ages. Most operators are based on West Beach near the old town.

• Manavgat Waterfall day trip - a boat tour along the Manavgat River takes you through tranquil waters to the Manavgat Waterfall, where the cascading water and lush greenery make for a brilliant half-day out. About 20 minutes from Side, with boat tours departing from the river. Combine it with a wander around Manavgat market for a cheap and cheerful local experience.

• Land of Legends Theme Park, Belek - Turkey's answer to Disneyland is just 30–40 minutes west of Side in Belek. Waterpark, theme park rides, 5D cinema, and a full aquarium restaurant. A reliable full-day out for families, kids absolutely lose their minds here.

• Resort waterparks - Club Turan Prince World and Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection both have proper waterparks on-site. If you're after a day of slides without leaving the hotel, you're sorted.

Things to do for couples

• Temple of Apollo at sunset - possibly the most romantic spot in Turkey. The columns glow gold as the sun drops into the Mediterranean, and the ruins are floodlit after dark. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset, find a spot on the sea wall, and prepare to feel very smug about your holiday choice.

• Harbourside dinner - Side's old harbour is lined with fish restaurants where you pick your catch from the display and watch it being cooked to order. It's touristy, yes, but it's also genuinely brilliant, candlelit tables, the sound of the water, cold white wine, and the freshest fish you'll eat all year. Liman Restaurant is one of the best spots in the harbour for a special evening, with Mediterranean classics done properly and a setting that's hard to beat.

• Traditional Turkish hammam - a steam, scrub, and foam massage at a traditional bathhouse is one of Turkey's great pleasures and an essential couples activity. Side has several good hammams in the old town, budget around £15–25 per person for the full experience.

• Gulet boat cruise - hire a traditional wooden boat for a day and sail along this stretch of the Turquoise Coast together. Swim stops in hidden coves, lunch on deck, cold drinks in the sunshine. Most day cruises depart from Side harbour and cost around £25–40 per person.

• Green Canyon jeep safari - for couples who want something a bit more adventurous. Off-road through mountain villages, a boat cruise on the stunning Green Canyon reservoir, and landscapes that look nothing like a beach resort. Around 1.5 hours from Side. Departs from most hotels.

Things to do for groups

• Side nightlife = Side's nightlife is laid-back but lively, with most restaurants doubling up as bars when the sun goes down — perfect for fun nights out on a budget-friendly trip to Turkey. The main strip through the old town keeps going late, with something for every kind of group:

• Lush - karaoke, cocktails, and a huge drinks menu. One of Side's liveliest nights out

• Club Blackout Side - one of the few proper clubs in the resort, open until the early hours in peak season

• Apollonik - a rustic taverna with a great atmosphere for a casual group evening, right in the old town

• Karma Restaurant & Sky Lounge - gourmet food and brilliant sea views for a more sophisticated group dinner before heading out

• Jeep safari through the Taurus Mountains = go off-road through mountain villages, swim in river pools, and take in views that justify every bump in the road. Most day trips depart from Side or Manavgat and cost around £30–45 per person. A great shout for a group that wants to do something more active.

• Boat party cruise - full-day boat trips from Side harbour with music, multiple swim stops, and a lunch spread on deck. Groups regularly hire the whole boat - ask at the harbour for group rates. One of the best value days out on the Turkish coast.

• Paragliding, Olu Deniz - about 2.5 hours west but worth it for the right group. Tandem flights from Babadag Mountain over the famous Blue Lagoon. The photos are unreal and the WhatsApp group will never be the same again.

More nearby destinations

Side sits perfectly on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. Here are the other top spots in the Antalya region:

Belek | 30 mins west The luxury option. Championship golf courses, five-star all-inclusives, and The Land of Legends theme park. Purpose-built for pampering with pristine Blue Flag beaches.

Kemer | 1.5 hours west Where the Taurus Mountains meet the sea. Dramatic scenery, pine-covered coastline, and a quieter vibe. Great for nature lovers who still want a proper beach holiday.

Alanya | 1 hour east The lively one. Medieval castle on a dramatic peninsula, Cleopatra Beach, buzzing nightlife, and 70km of coastline. Good mix of history, beaches, and party vibes.

Antalya Old Town | 1 hour west The charming city option. Kaleiçi's cobbled streets, Ottoman architecture, Hadrian's Gate, and the stunning marina. Worth a day trip for culture and shopping.