Side-Turkey.

Few places let you wander straight through a 2,000-year-old city the way Side does. The ancient ruins are woven right into the modern old town, so you stroll past marble columns on your way to a cafe and turn a corner to find a Roman gate. This guide walks you through the open-air sites and the Side Museum so you can plan an unhurried, rewarding half-day on foot.

Walking the open-air ruins of the old town

Side sits on a small peninsula in the Manavgat district of Antalya, jutting into the Mediterranean. According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the city lies about 8 kilometres from Manavgat, and its history reaches back many centuries. The best part for visitors is that most of the ruins are open-air and free to walk through as part of the living town.

What you will see on foot

• Temple of Apollo — a row of restored Roman columns standing right at the water's edge, the most photographed corner of Side and unforgettable at sunset.
• The ancient theatre — one of the largest in the region, a huge stone auditorium that once seated thousands.
• The monumental gate (Vespasian) and colonnaded streets — the old ceremonial entrance and the marble-lined avenues that thread through town.
• The agora — the ancient marketplace, the social heart of the Roman city.

Wear comfortable shoes: the streets are paved in worn marble and ancient stone, and the route rewards slow exploration. Early morning and the golden hour before sunset are the most pleasant times to walk, with softer light and thinner crowds.

Visiting the Side Museum

The Side Museum is a highlight in its own right. As the Ministry of Culture and Tourism explains, it is housed in a 2nd-century Roman bathhouse that was restored and turned into a museum between 1959 and 1961 — making it, remarkably, the first museum opened in a village in Turkey. Inside you'll find sculptures, sarcophagi, grave steles, inscriptions and architectural fragments from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, all unearthed in the surrounding excavations.

Note that while the open-air old town is largely free to walk, the Side Museum and certain individual sites may charge a separate entrance fee, and opening hours can change seasonally. Always check the official site (muze.gov.tr) before you go.

Quick Facts

• Duration: Self-guided walk; if a guided excursion is arranged, duration confirmed at booking.
• Pick-up: Hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat & nearby resorts; time confirmed at booking.
• Includes: Walk through the open-air old town and main ruins; guided commentary if a tour is booked.
• Excludes: Side Museum entrance fee and any separate site fees (check official site); food and drinks.
• Family Friendly: Yes — open, walkable and engaging for children.
• Best Season: Spring and autumn for mild walking weather; sunset year-round at the Temple of Apollo.
• Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat, with uneven ancient paving in places.

Related Excursions

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it free to walk the ruins of Side?

Most of the ancient old town is open-air and can be walked freely as part of the modern town. However, the Side Museum and certain sites may charge a separate entrance fee — check the official site (muze.gov.tr) before visiting.

Where exactly is Side?

Side is on a small peninsula in the Manavgat district of Antalya, about 8 kilometres from Manavgat, on the Mediterranean coast.

What is the Side Museum housed in?

It occupies a restored 2nd-century Roman bathhouse, converted into a museum between 1959 and 1961 — the first museum opened in a village in Turkey.

What can I see inside the museum?

Sculptures, sarcophagi, grave steles, inscriptions and architectural pieces from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, found in the local excavations.

When is the best time to visit?

Early morning or the golden hour before sunset, especially at the Temple of Apollo, for soft light and fewer crowds.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes. The route is open and walkable, and the towering columns and theatre tend to capture children's imagination.

Do I need a guide?

You can explore independently, but a local guide brings the history to life. If you'd like a guided visit, ask us and we'll arrange it.

What are the museum's opening hours and ticket prices?

These can vary by season and we never quote them from memory — please check the official site (muze.gov.tr) for current details.

Ready to explore ancient Side the easy way? Book DIRECT with the Murat Atalay team — message us on WhatsApp or email info@side-turkey.com. Booking direct cuts out agency and OTA commissions, and we back it with our best-price guarantee.