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About Side - Why Side - Beaches - Excursions - Sport & Activities - Nightlife
ABOUT SIDE
Side (pronounced 'see day'), one of the best-known classical sites in Turkey was an ancient harbour whose name meant pomegranate. The old town itself lies on a promontory 300 meters wide and 800 metres long and today, despite tourism development, where new meets old the town still remains the most unique and charming resort on Turkey's southern coast. As you walk from the top of the high street to the harbour, which was once a small fishing port and is now filling up with excursion boats, you can look down the small side streets to see the sea on either side of you. The old town has managed to retain many of its old features including its architecture and also the archeological sites. At every turn you will be faced with a new monument or ruin which never ceases to amaze those who return time after time.
Side is the only ancient city on Turkey's southern shore to have been excavated systematically. Its harbour served as a port, it was a slave market and flourished as a centre for piracy. The city prospered under the Roman Empire and most of the monuments date back to this time.. In the 10th century it was abandoned after a fire and the existing town only dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when it was founded by a group of Greek speaking Muslim exiles from Crete. After its earlier abandonment sand had blocked the harbour and covered many ruins, probably under much of the beach there is still part of the pre-existing city and its stadium.
Travelling along the incoming twisting, turning road into the old town you cannot miss the remains of an ancient time, a fine Roman aqueduct which used to carry water over 32kms from the mountains then, as you get closer the Agora (market-place) on your left and the roman baths on your right which are the home to the museum (closed on a Monday) A fee paid to the museum allows you entry to this and to the theatre. During the past two summers the theatre has been opened up and has been used for mid-summer culture, folklore and opera shows. The theatre, built in the 2nd century, one of the largest in Asia Minor, seating about 17,000 people is magnificent and from the top offers views over the town, the Hellenistic defence walls, the beaches and the sea.
The entrance to the town itself being dominated by the theatre, the largest in the area is remarkable and the small roads through the town centre are restricted to the inhabitants or those who have a business within the walls. These people must buy a pass which permits them to go within the town. All visitors have to leave their car in the car-park at the top of the high street which of course is impossible during the high season, alternatively there is a larger car park approximately a 10 minute walk outside of the town from where a small visitor tram travels backwards and forwards (at a nominal cost) from approximately 8 o'clock m the morning until approximately midnight and later in the high season. At this time all traffic is stopped between 8pm and midnight in the town centre itself which becomes too crowded with pedestrians for cars.
One of the best times to walk around the ruins is at the end of the day when hopefully you can catch the sun setting behind the Apollo Temple, a sight you will have seen on the cover of many travel brochures. Also note. As you walk around the small back streets you will see the beautiful architecturally designed old houses, many of which are being renovated in the to original style.
There is a small town beach on the east side of the peninsula but this is mainly used by locals and although sand can be frustrating as there are many rocks in and out of the water.
The coast itself, aptly named the Turquoise Coast or the Turkish Riviera stretches for nearly 650kms, starting from Fethiye beyond Antalya to Istanbul.
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Of all the places in which you can buy your dream home in the sun, why choose Side? Here are just a few reasons, we are sure you will think of more when you visit. Due to the recent growth in tourism to the area, property prices are increasing, therefore buying a property now will be a good investment for the future. Once Turkey becomes a member of the European Community, property prices will explode, don't miss your chance to buy a property in Turkey now while prices are still low.
The area has something to offer everyone, be it families, couples, the sportsman or the retired. Transport services in the area are well developed. The main road itself from Antalya International Airport to Side has been recently finished and now offers a quicker and safer journey between the two. Travel by bus to other parts of Turkey from Side are made easy as Side has its' own Bus Station, with connections from the local town of Manavgat.
Weather in Side
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Side is well known for its beautiful sandy beaches and, lying on a promentary, either Side of the peninsula they stretch as far as the eye can see. Although these beaches are connected by a short walk across the back of the old town they each have very different characteristitics.
Remember most people are lazy on holiday and don’t want to move far, but the further you go away from the town centre the less people you will find on the beach. A new beach service started last year around the resort, that has morning pickups at various restaurants and hotels who have a connection with a certain beach bar where you are taken. It is expected that you use their restaurant as a base for the day, then at the end of the day you are dropped back at your pick–up point. The service is free.
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Perge An important city of ancient Pamphylia, Perge is situated 18 kilometres from Antalya and was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC, St Paul preached his first sermons here. Most of today's Perge belongs to the Roman Period and anyone interested in history will love to explore the long colonnaded street, once paved with marble and lined with shops, the agora, the stadium, the public baths and the amphitheatre.
One tip - try to avoid this tour in the middle of the day in peak summer.
Aspendos
Antalya
Termessos
Taurus Mountains
and white water rafting
Aquapark
Manavgat Waterfalls
and river boat tours
Selukia and the Olympinar
Dam
After Seleukia, follow the road to visit the hydro electric dam that produces the electricity for the region. The 2nd largest dam in Turkey, it took 20 years to build and 85 men died during the construction. From the top, there are amazing views of the lake on one side and the valley on the other. These two sites are off the normal tourist trail but are well worth a visit for a memorable day out.
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