Side-Turkey.

Of all the open-air ruins scattered across the Side peninsula, the Side Museum is the place that quietly ties them together. It is small, walkable and set inside one of the ancient city's own buildings, so you are not just looking at artefacts behind glass — you are standing in Roman architecture while you do it. If you are spending a few hours wandering the old town, the temples and the colonnaded streets, this is the stop that makes sense of everything else you have seen.

A Museum Inside a Roman Bath

What makes Side Museum unusual is the building itself. The collection is housed in a restored Roman-era bath complex (the Agora Bath) that was carefully brought back to life and opened to the public in the 1960s. The original bath layout survives, so as you move from room to room you are essentially walking the same path a Roman bather once took — from the cooler halls through to the warmer chambers — now filled with sculpture and stonework instead of steam.

Because it sits right in the heart of the ancient city, the museum pairs naturally with a stroll through the surrounding ruins. The agora, the colonnaded streets and the monumental gates are all close by, so the indoor and outdoor parts of Side feel like one continuous site rather than separate ticketed attractions.

What You'll See Inside

The heart of the collection comes from the long excavation campaigns carried out at Side, which began in the late 1940s under the Turkish archaeologist Arif Müfid Mansel. Almost everything on display was found in the city and its immediate surroundings, which is why the museum feels so rooted in its location.

Statues and sculpture

Expect marble and bronze figures of gods and deities, including a notable Hermes and works tied to themes such as Aphrodite. These are the pieces most visitors photograph, and they show off the quality of carving that made Side a wealthy port city.

Sarcophagi and reliefs

Among the highlights are richly carved sarcophagi — including examples decorated with Eros figures — along with architectural reliefs and inscriptions. The museum garden also holds larger stone pieces, so don't rush straight out at the end.

Everyday objects

Beyond the grand statues you'll find coins, jewellery, terracotta figurines, glass, amphoras and trade weights — small things that tell you how ordinary people lived and traded here across the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

The museum is compact, so it suits travellers who want depth rather than a marathon. Pair it with the seaside Temple of Apollo and the ancient theatre for a satisfying half day on foot. Visit in spring or autumn if you can — the shoulder season brings pleasant weather and thinner crowds, which makes both the museum and the open-air ruins far more comfortable than the peak of summer.

Entrance fees, opening hours and any seasonal closures change from time to time, so check the official Ministry of Culture and Tourism museum site or confirm locally before you go. We never quote ticket prices we can't guarantee.

Quick Facts

• Duration: A self-guided visit; allow a relaxed couple of hours combined with the nearby ruins (confirmed at booking for guided options).
• Pick-up: Hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat & nearby resorts; time confirmed at booking.
• Includes: Guided sightseeing of Side's old town and ruins on relevant tours; details confirmed at booking.
• Excludes: Museum entrance fees (check the official site / confirm locally), personal spending, meals unless stated.
• Family Friendly: Yes — compact, flat and stroller-manageable, suitable for curious children.
• Best Season: Spring and autumn (shoulder season) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
• Difficulty: Easy; short distances on mostly level ground.

Related Excursions

• Things to do in Side
• Antalya tours & day trips
• Alanya excursions
• Belek tours
• Kemer excursions
• More Side travel guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Side Museum located?

It sits inside the ancient city of Side, on the peninsula in the Manavgat district of Antalya province, surrounded by the ruins, the agora and the old town.

What building is the museum in?

It is housed in a restored Roman-era bath complex (the Agora Bath), so the structure itself is part of the experience.

What can I see there?

Statues of gods and deities, richly carved sarcophagi, reliefs, inscriptions, coins, jewellery, glass and everyday objects from the Side excavations, plus larger stone pieces in the garden.

Where did the artefacts come from?

Most were unearthed during excavations at Side that began in the late 1940s, so the collection is closely tied to the city around it.

How much does it cost and when is it open?

Fees and hours can change, so please check the official Ministry of Culture and Tourism museum site or confirm locally before visiting.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes. It is small and easy to walk, which makes it a manageable introduction to ancient history for families.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn give the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds for both the museum and the surrounding open-air ruins.

Can I combine it with other sights?

Easily. The Temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre, the agora and the colonnaded streets are all within walking distance.

Want to explore Side with someone who knows it? Book direct with the Murat Atalay team and skip the agency and OTA commission — we offer a best-price guarantee with no middleman. Message us on WhatsApp or email info@side-turkey.com to plan your Side sightseeing day.