Side Horse Riding: Guided Pine Forest & Beach Ride with Hotel Pickup

Swap the pool for a saddle on a guided ride through the countryside behind Side. After hotel pickup you'll meet your horse at a local ranch, get a helmet and a short lesson, then follow shaded pine-forest paths that open out towards the Mediterranean, with a beach section along the shoreline before the ride loops back. Calm, well-schooled horses and instructors who match each rider to a suitable mount make it genuinely beginner-friendly, while confident riders may be offered a faster stretch when the guide judges it safe. Children can join from around age six with staff support. Reservation is free, you pay on the tour day, and cancellation is free up to 48 hours before.

Some of the best scenery around Side isn't reachable by coach — but it is by horse. This guided ride starts with pickup from your hotel in the Side area and a short transfer to a working horse ranch in the countryside. There's no rush on arrival: you'll meet the horses, and the instructors will pair you with one that suits your build and confidence. Helmets are handed out, the basics are explained — how to sit, steer and stop — and only when everyone feels settled does the group move off.

The route begins on soft paths through pine forest, where the pace stays at a relaxed walk and the trees provide welcome shade. As the woodland opens into countryside, the track heads towards the coast, and the ride reaches its highlight: a stretch along the Mediterranean shoreline, with the sea beside you and the sand underfoot. It's the photo everyone comes home with. Riders who can demonstrate real experience may be offered a controlled faster section where conditions allow — always at the guide's discretion, never guaranteed, and never forced on anyone who'd rather keep walking.

Beginners are the rule here, not the exception. Guides ride with the group from start to finish, and young or nervous first-timers can have a staff member walk alongside holding the horse's head the whole way. The minimum age is generally six, subject to the guide's judgement on the day, and the recommended rider weight limit is around 100–110 kg. The ride is not suitable for pregnant guests or anyone with serious back or mobility problems.

Practicalities are simple: wear long trousers and closed shoes, bring sun protection and water, and leave the rest to us. Rides run daily year-round, with morning and late-afternoon departures that avoid the hottest hours in summer. Door to door, the outing fits comfortably into part of your day — most guests are back at the hotel with time to spare. Booking is free, you pay on the tour day, and you can cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before.