Side Honeymoon, Turkey

Consider Side for a honeymoon or romantic getaway holiday and walk in the footsteps of ancient Greco-Romans, who once enjoyed holidays at this attractive resort on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast.

With its choice of unspoiled white-sand beaches, impressive Hellenistic and Roman ruins, lively nightlife and accommodation options to suit all budgets, Side offers all the ingredients you need for a romantic honeymon getaway in Turkey.

Things to do and see
Unwind in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea on a choice of soft golden-sand beaches, with a range of water sport activities to keep you entertained. Then explore some of Side’s magnificent classical ruins, many of which date from the 2nd century BC.

Admire the city’s well-preserved ancient city walls, the remains of the massive Hellenistic Great Gate (Megale Pyle) and the marble columns that once supported a long colonnaded street. Scramble up the steep steps of the 20,000-seat Roman stadium, an architectural masterpiece supported by massive arched walls.

Examine statues and sarcophagi in the former bath house, now restored as a museum, then ponder the agora and elaborate nymphaeum grotto before heading to the marble temple ruins dedicated to Apollo and Athena – perfect for a sunset photograph. Don’t miss the antique baths where Cleopatra is supposed to have bathed, located just behind the Nilgin market.

Side’s maze of narrow winding streets descends to the old fishing harbour, the streets lined with pretty two-storey stone buildings decorated with wooden balconies. The buildings are now home to shops selling carpets, jewellery and leather goods, as well as numerous cafes and restaurants.

From Side, it’s easy to explore the nearby ancient sites of Perge and Aspendos and nearby Alanya with its impressive Ottoman castle. You can also enjoy the natural beauty of Koprulu Canyon National Park, where you can go white-water rafting, swimming and hike along sections of the St Paul’s Trail – this 500km-long route from Perge to Yalvac on the Anatolian plateau traces St Paul's first missionary journey in Asia Minor.

Accommodation
Side offers a huge choice of holiday accommodation to suit all budgets, including the charming beachfront Beach House Hotel, a one-time favourite of Rudolph Nureyev and Simone de Beauvoir.

Best time to visit Side?
To avoid the peak season crowds of July and August when temperatures often exceed 30°C, the best time to visit Side is during late April, May, June, September and early October, when the average temperature is 25°C.
For more climate info: Side Weather Guide

Location – Side is located on the south coast of Turkey, around 55km east of Antalya.

Getting there – A frequent bus and minibus service links Side to Antalya international airport, with daily flights to and from Istanbul and the major cities of Europe and the Middle East. How to get to Side . . .