Compact old town, slow pace.
Side moves at a measured coastal-city pace, where the ancient theater, colonnaded streets, and harbor ruins keep daily life close to the past, making the town feel distinct and memorable.
What Makes Side Side
- Roman ruins in streets
- Old Town stone lanes
- Temple silhouettes at dusk
- Theater and agora traces
Pick the part of the city to wake up in.
Stays grouped by the way people travel, so you can start from the trip you want rather than a list of rooms in Side.
- Private Pool
- Private Beach
- Oceanfront
- Hot Tub
- Private Beach
- Oceanfront
- Hot Tub
- Breakfast
Aparthotels in Side
- Private Pool
- Private Beach
- Oceanfront
- Hot Tub
Business Hotels & Aparthotels in Side
- Private Beach
- Oceanfront
- Hot Tub
- Breakfast
Ancient streets and easygoing local rhythm.
Walkable, food-led, and easy to settle into, Side moves at a calm, city-center pace.
Known for
Ancient streets, Roman-era ruins, and a compact old town set around the harbor. Side is remembered for its layered history and stone-framed coastal center.
Best for
History-minded travelers, easy weekend stays, and guests who want an archaeological setting with simple dining and a compact base for exploring on foot.
Walkability
The old town peninsula is the main area to explore on foot, with ruins, lanes, and waterfront paths close together. Outside the core, transit becomes more practical.
Closest airport
Antalya Airport (AYT) is the main airport, located to the west of Side.
Ideal trip length
One to two nights suits a focused stay, with enough time for the historic core and a slower look at the waterfront and museum-area streets.
Vibe
Historic, sun-warmed, relaxed, stone-lined
Mornings on Side’s stone streets and cafes.
Some moments feel more Side than others, the stone lanes, ancient harbor, and café pauses that define things to do in Side.
Order simit from a corner bakery
Start the day with warm bread and tea from a local bakery, then carry breakfast along Side’s walkable streets as shutters rise and shopkeepers begin their routines.
Pause for tea at a sidewalk café
Take a seat at a small café and watch the neighborhood move at an easy pace, with card games, conversation, and unhurried refills folded into the afternoon.
Browse produce at the market stalls
Follow the rhythm of market day through stalls piled with fruit, herbs, and olives, where locals compare quality, fill bags, and head home on foot.
Pick up olives from a deli counter
Step into a neighborhood deli for brined olives, cheese, and pantry staples, then linger over the counter talk that gives daily errands a social pace.
Every few blocks, a different Side.
From historic streets to leafy waterfront, each neighborhood offers its own way
to spend a day in the city.
Seasons that reshape Side's rhythm.
April to June and September to October draw many travelers for milder temperatures and easier exploring of Side's old town.
Spring
Stone lanes feel open and easy, with café tables spilling into the old town and archaeological sights drawing unhurried wanderers between bright midday and soft evening light.
Summer
The old town stays active after dark, when narrow streets, harborfront promenades, and outdoor tables keep the pace social, late, and pleasantly unhurried.
Fall
Daily life settles into a measured rhythm, with clearer sightlines, quieter corners, and more room to notice carved stone, storefronts, and café chatter at street level.
Winter
The center turns contemplative, with fewer interruptions between galleries, cafés, and ruins, so the old town reads as a compact, walkable layer of history and daily life.
Stone lanes feel open and easy, with café tables spilling into the old town and archaeological sights drawing unhurried wanderers between bright midday and soft evening light.
The old town stays active after dark, when narrow streets, harborfront promenades, and outdoor tables keep the pace social, late, and pleasantly unhurried.
Daily life settles into a measured rhythm, with clearer sightlines, quieter corners, and more room to notice carved stone, storefronts, and café chatter at street level.
The center turns contemplative, with fewer interruptions between galleries, cafés, and ruins, so the old town reads as a compact, walkable layer of history and daily life.
Local rituals, after hours.
From side-street cafés to old-town evening strolls, these are the Side spots locals return to when they want the city as it runs.
Browse the lanes of Side Old Town
Stone streets, small cafés, and late-day window shopping shape the pace here. Locals linger over tea, then drift past the ancient core as evening settles in.
Pick up produce at Side Market
Come for fruit, olives, herbs, and spices, with quick, practical stops that fit daily life. It is where neighbors stock up and swap news between stalls.
Share tea at a neighborhood kahvehane
Order a glass, watch a backgammon game, and settle into the unhurried rhythm of the center. These small rooms are where regulars meet and afternoons stretch out.
A few things worth knowing.
Notes that help you plan a trip to Side.
Most walkable areas
Side Old Town and the harbor side of Liman are easiest to cover on foot, with compact streets and quick café stops.
Getting around
Walk for the center, then use dolmuş routes or taxis for farther corners of Side and nearby neighborhoods.
Ideal trip length
Two to three nights gives you time to settle into Side's center and move at an easy pace.
Good for work trips
Quiet stays near the center with Wi-Fi and desk space make it easy to work between meetings and evening walks.
Side travel questions, answered.
Quick answers to the questions travelers ask most.
Discover top family-friendly travel options in or near Side. If you're planning a trip or vacation to Side, consider spending a week or two at any of our welcoming family-allowed hotels, resorts, or other recommended properties. These are renowned as the Top Vacation Rentals and Places to Stay in Side:
Sonder™ regularly updates its listings to offer a diverse selection of accommodations, each with clear details on family amenities. Currently, there are over 73 active properties listed by Sonder in 2026 in the Side area, with new additions daily. By aggregating listings from various websites and travel providers, Sonder delivers a vast array of top places to stay that are perfect for families visiting Side.
Discover top family-friendly travel options in or near Side. If you're planning a trip or vacation to Side, consider spending a week or two at any of our welcoming family-allowed hotels, resorts, or other recommended properties. These are renowned as the Top Vacation Rentals and Places to Stay in Side:
Sonder™ regularly updates its listings to offer a diverse selection of accommodations, each with clear details on family amenities. Currently, there are over 73 active properties listed by Sonder in 2026 in the Side area, with new additions daily. By aggregating listings from various websites and travel providers, Sonder delivers a vast array of top places to stay that are perfect for families visiting Side.
Go with curiosity. Come back with stories.
The best trips rarely go exactly as planned. Sonder keeps you closer to the neighborhoods, kitchens, and small moments that make a city worth remembering.















