Side, (pronounced 'see day') one of the best-known classical sites in Turkey was an ancient harbour whose name meant pomegranate. The old town itself lies on a promontory 300 meters wide and 800 metres long and today, despite tourism development where new is meeting old the town still remains the most unique and charming resort on Turkey's southern coast. As you walk from the top of the high street to the harbour, which was once a small fishing port and is now filling up with excursion boats, you can look down the small side streets to see the sea on either side of you. The old town has managed to retain many of its old features including its architecture and also the archeological sites. At every turn you will be faced with a new monument or ruin which never ceases to amaze those who return time after time.
Side is the only ancient city on Turkey's southern shore to have been excavated systematically. It's harbour served as a port, it was a slave market and flourished as a centre for piracy. The city prospered under the Roman Empire and most of the monuments date back to this time.. In the 10th century it was abandoned after a fire and the existing town only dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when it was founded by a group of Greek speaking Muslim exiles from Crete. After its earlier abandonment sand had blocked the harbour and covered many ruins, probably under much of the beach there is still part of the pre-existing city and its stadium.
Travelling along the incoming twisting, turning road into the old town you cannot miss the remains of an ancient time, a fine Roman aqueduct which used to carry water over 32kms from the mountains then, as you get closer the Agora (marketplace) on your left and the roman baths on your right which are the home to the museum (closed on a Monday) A fee paid to the museum allows you entry to this and to the theatre. During the past two summers the theatre has been opened up and has been used for midsummer culture, folklore and opera shows. The theatre, built in the 2nd century, one of the largest in Asia Minor, seating about 17,000 people is magnificent and from the top offers views over the town, the Hellenistic defence walls, the beaches and the sea.
The entrance to the town itself being dominated by the theatre, the largest in the area is remarkable and the small roads through the town centre are restricted to the inhabitants or those who have a business within the walls. These people must buy a pass which permits them to go within the town. All visitors have to leave their car in the car-park at the top of the high street which of course is impossible during the high season, alternatively there is a larger car park approximately a 10 minute walk outside of the town from where a small visitor tram travels backwards and forwards (at a nominal cost) from approximately 8 o'clock m the morning until approximately midnight and later in the high season. At this time all traffic is stopped between 8pm and midnight in the town centre itself which becomes too crowded with pedestrians for cars.
One of the best times to walk around the rums is at the end of the day when hopefully you can catch the sun setting behind the Apollo Temple, a sight you will have seen on the cover of many travel brochures. Also note. As you walk around the small back streets the beautiful architecturally designed old houses , many of which are being renovated in the to original style.
There is a small town beach on the east side of the peninsula but this is mainly used by locals and although sandy can be frustrating as there are many rocks in and out of the water.
The coast itself, aptly named the Turquoise Coast or the Turkish Riviera stretches for nearly 650kms, starting from Fethiye beyond Antalya to İstanbul.
A note about the local drinks of Turkey.
Expect to pay more if you drink at one the more fashionable, sea facing bars than in a small back street bar. If you eat at a typically Turkish locanta where, often there is no menu but a choice of home cooked dishes to choose from, there is normally no alcohol license and you cannot take your own!
The local beer is called 'Efes' and is sold by the bottle, small or large. The price varies depending where you are buying from or where you are sitting, so be prepared to pay more if you are sat drinking in a seafront bar.
The Turkish national drink is ‘raki’, an aniseed flavored spirit compared to the french 'pastis' or the Greek 'oozo'. It is usually drunk in a short glass with ice and water. Locally named 'lions milk, after three you will find out why!
Turkish wine is unexpectedly very good and quite cheap. The best reds are Yakut. Antik and Buzbağ. The best whites being Cankaya and Kavak.
A non alcoholic drink you may well be offered is ayran A thin slightly sour yoghurt drink-served chilled and therefore very refreshing but takes some getting used to!
The quaint resort of Side has always appealled to couples and families rather than the young who are looking for a lively holiday and offers little nightlife in comparison to the modern, popular resort of Alanya only 70kms away. Although, saying that there are more than enough bars and discos to entertain you throughout your stay.
Countless bars within the old town centre are mixed with the archeological ruins facing the sea and each offers a different style of entertainment. The bars that border the harbour have a more relaxed feel and at sunset offer a view that I believe is one of the best in the world! On the other hand if it’s a disco bar that interests you then head for bar street situated near the Apollo Temple. Here, there is a selection of bars, the Barracuda being the most popular and you can dance or enjoy the magnificent view over the sea from the terrace garden from late until dawn. Often the bars don't close and if you are still sat m the garden you can enjoy the sunrise from behind the Taurus Mountains, a sight I used to enjoy but I don’t make it often these days!
There are many small bars hidden away in and around the resort all of which will offer you the typical Turkish hospitality. Expect not to pay for your drinks until you are about to leave. It is not usual to pay as you go.
A town centre, popular nightclub is the 'Lighthouse', named after its position in the harbour immediately next to the lighthouse! Very popular for locals and tourists alike, the music is a mixture of European and Turkish and it is open until the early hours of the morning. During the summer months Lighthouse is also the host to many well known Turkish pop star concerts.
Outside of the town centre is an interestingly designed disco called 'Qxyd', inspired by a popular and historical church. It is again open air and its capacity is more than 3000. There are swimming pools to cool off if you get too hot and is a great place for having a good boogie! Oxyd is not open every night, (check locally) and is busier at the end of the week and on Saturday nights.
West of Side is the rapidly expanding holiday centre of Kumköy. A few years ago just a dirt track through a handful of hotels, the area has developed into a town in its own right. This side of Side is the home to the larger and more deluxe hotels and although you would expect the prices to be more expensive than in the town centre because the property rents are lower they are often cheaper. There are many bars and dance bars opening along this road, a new one every day it seems!
Bird watching; - Due to its geographical location, on the edge of Europe, Asia and Africa, Turkey has a tremendous range of bird life. May is probably the best month when there is the possibility of spotting as many as 100 species including birds of prey, buntings, Bee-eaters and the wonderful storks nesting. However Spring and Autumn are probably the most exciting times because of the north-south migration.
Beach sports; - A wide choice available everywhere including volleyball, wind surfing, para-sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, and banana boat
Diving; - recently become more popular with professional centers in the resort running PADI certificate courses
Fishing; - Popular in this area both as a sport and as a means of income. Beach and river fishing available
Golf; - The resort of Belek, approximately 40kms from Side is a modern luxurious holiday center and golfers paradise. The National Golf club offers a championship 18-hole golf course and 9-hole academy course as well as many water sports .
Horse Riding; - Centers which cater for the very small upwards are located around the resort and in the local (5kms) scenic pine forest, picnic areas of Sorgun and Titreyen Gol.
Jeep Safari; - Routes available from Side to Beşkonak take you on a twisting drive up into the beautiful 14km long Köprülü Canyon National Park where the view at every turn is more spectacular than the last.
Mountaineering; - The Beydağ mountain range has peaks from 600-3086ms high, offering a wide variety of climbing opportunities. Climbs to the important peaks of Tekedorugu, Bakırlı Dağ can be completed in one day.
Quad bike safari and racing; - A new sport to the area and centers are located in Manavgat (9kms) and in the Beskonak National park areas (approx 50kms)
Rafting; - An exciting, different day out which gives you the opportunity to race the rapids whilst at the same time view the breathtaking cedar forests of the Köprülü Canyon national Park .
Skiing; - The location of Saklıkent, meaning 'The Hidden City', 50km behined Antalya offers the possibility of skiing in the morning and then swimming m the warm Med waters m the afternoons of the spring months. The resort, set at 2550m has a short season between December and April and, although not extensive offers two T-bar lifts and two ski runs. Accommodation in the resort is limited and often full at the weekends but a midweek day trip will give you approximately 6hrs skiing-depending on the road conditions.
Tennis; - Available at most of the large hotels m the resort
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