Things to Do in Side, Turkey

Founded by Greek settlers in the 7th century BC, Side grew into a major Roman port. Today its marble streets, city walls, and harbour agora remain remarkably intact. The best approach is through the monumental gate on the eastern side — you will see the old harbour immediately.

Five Corinthian columns still stand at the tip of Side’s peninsula, framed by the sea on three sides. It is the most photographed spot in town for good reason. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset when the light turns the marble gold and the crowds thin out.

Built in the 2nd century AD, this is the largest ancient theatre in the Pamphylia region. Unlike many Roman theatres, it was constructed directly against the city walls rather than into a hillside. Climb to the top row for a view over the old town and the Mediterranean.

Housed in the old Roman baths building, the museum holds statues, sarcophagi, and inscriptions recovered from Side’s ruins. The building itself is part of the experience — the vaulted stone chambers and original hypocaust floor are still visible.

The weekly market sits just outside the old town walls and sells everything from fresh produce and spices to leather goods and textiles. It is less touristy than the bazaars in central Antalya, and prices are generally lower. The Tuesday market is the largest.

The most accessible nature spot near Side. The Manavgat River drops over a wide, low ledge into a misty pool surrounded by plane trees and tea gardens. It is not a dramatic vertical fall — it is wide, powerful, and surprisingly cooling on a hot day. The riverside restaurants serve fresh trout.

The river flows from the Taurus Mountains to the sea, creating a wide, slow-moving waterway lined with reeds and willows. Boat trips cruise upstream to the waterfall, passing riverside restaurants where you can eat fresh fish with your feet in the water. It is a calm, shady alternative to the beach.

A man-made reservoir dammed in the Oymapinar Valley, surrounded by 200-metre cliffs and dense pine forest. The water is emerald-green and refreshingly cool. Most visits combine a boat cruise through the canyon with a swim stop and lunch at a lakeside restaurant. It feels like Norway dropped into the Mediterranean.

Also known as the “Valley of Wisdom,” Tazi Canyon is a dramatic gorge carved by the Köprüçay River. The viewing platform sits on the canyon rim, 200 metres above the water. The scale is genuinely impressive — photos do not do it justice. Combine it with a rafting trip on the same river below.

A 14-kilometre canyon and Turkey’s most popular rafting destination. The national park also contains ancient Roman bridges, Ottoman-era caravanserais, and some of the best-preserved cypress forest in the region. You can raft, hike, or simply picnic by the river. It is cooler than the coast by several degrees.

The best-preserved Roman theatre in the world. Built in the 2nd century AD, its 15,000-seat auditorium has perfect acoustics — drop a coin on stage and it is audible in the top row. The theatre still hosts the annual Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival. The aqueduct and basilica nearby are also worth the walk.

A vast city that was once the capital of Pamphylia. The highlight is the 300-metre colonnaded street, flanked by ruined shops, fountains, and bath complexes. The stadium and theatre are on the outskirts. Perge is less crowded than Ephesus and feels more open — you can walk the main street almost alone in the early morning.

Hidden in the forested hills above Manavgat, this ancient city is rarely visited by tourists. The agora, bathhouse, and temple foundations are overgrown with pines, giving it a lost-city atmosphere. The drive up is steep and narrow, but the silence and the view over the plain make it worthwhile. Bring sturdy shoes — the paths are uneven.

If you only have one day for ancient sites, this tour combines Aspendos, Perge, and the Manavgat Waterfall in a single itinerary. A guide explains the history as you move between sites, and transport is included. It is the most efficient way to see the region’s highlights without renting a car.