Side

In Side the ancient city and the modern resort are woven together: you walk between shops and guesthouses and suddenly find yourself on a colonnaded street or beside a ruined temple. Cars are generally left outside the peninsula, and the visit starts on foot at the ancient city gate on the landward side.

From the gate, the colonnaded street leads into the heart of the ancient city, past the agora and the outer wall of the large theatre. According to the official museum page the theatre is currently closed to visitors, so ask at the ticket office about its status. Opposite the theatre, the Side Museum occupies a Roman bath; it is small, but its statues and sarcophagi, found on site, make it the most rewarding stop. At the tip of the peninsula, next to the ancient harbour, stand the re-erected columns of the Temple of Apollo and the remains of the Temple of Athena, facing the sea; this is the busiest and most photographed corner at sunset. Two to three hours covers the museum and a walk through town, a little more if you linger by the water.

Side is a short drive from Manavgat and an easy day trip from Antalya. The midday heat in summer is draining, so walk in the morning or late afternoon, and reach the temples before sunset. The stone paving is uneven, so wear comfortable shoes. Check the hours on the museum page.