Side Landmarks
Top Sights in Side, Türkiye
Side Landmarks
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What travellers are saying
- David D18625027,190 contributionsSaturday 21st September and we visited the ancient port city of Side on Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coast.
The remains of this Roman Temple were one of the features of City that we visited during our tour. Known as the Temple of Apollo it was built around 150 A.D., it stands on the seafront alongside the Temple of Athena. The original Temple was dedicated to Apollo, the Greek and Roman god of music, harmony and light.
The five restored columns with the partial pediment, a triangular gable, are a feature of the skyline by the coast. They were restored during the years of 1984 and 1990 with additional restoration in 2017.
As we were walking away from the Temple we stopped and looked back, as per our Guide's instructions, and we could see several carvings of Medusa's head on the gable on top of the pillars.Written 28 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - jjjshra147452517 contributionsSide is a lovely. Plenty to see with the ancient ruins. Shops, restaurants, and bars. Great sunset and a lovely feel to the town. Recommend a visitWritten 12 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- happykoabug60982600 contributionsIt is free to check out these ruins. There is a fee for the amphitheatre. The city build a nice walkway so that you don't get run over by the numerous cars and bus heading toward the harbor. The temple is at the end of the site near the harbor.Written 31 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- happykoabug60982600 contributionsI am not sure why the Nymphaeum is under its own listing. It is the first ruin that you will see after going through the parking lot. Excavations and restoration of the site is ongoing.Written 31 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mark_Dornoch5518041,490 contributionsBridge rebuilt the 2nd time in 1998 with nice limestone slabs. Original bridge built in Roman times and some of it is still visible. Rebuilt in 13th century by the Selchuks. Impressive structure.Written 12 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- laczkozsu2748902,343 contributionsWe took a one-day trip to Side and visited the ancient ruins. Through the gate and „Vespasianus Aniti” we saw the huge Greek Amphitheater with 25 000 seats! The ruins can be seen free and it’s worth to walk around and enjoy the special atmosphere of the past. We liked it and took lots of photos!Written 12 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Diddy H499523401 contributionsworth having a walk around sme places you can walk into othersare bebind rilings worth a look whie out for a walkWritten 31 March 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- laczkozsu2748902,343 contributionsSide is 80kms from Antalya and it’s worth a visit. There are lots of ancient ruins in the towns, so we took a journey into the past. One of the most important ruins the Agora from the Roman times, from 2. Century before Christ. It was the scene of official events and celebrations. I think it’s an interesting place.Written 12 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Shirley1011218633820 contributionsEverywhere you go around Side there are archaeological sites but watch out for men wearing grey jackets who appear to be there to guide and take photos for you. These are NOT official and I found one man in particular wanted to be closer than I was comfortable with so decided to leave, at which point he held out his hand for money and expected us to pay him 10 lira.Written 8 November 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- David D18625027,190 contributionsSaturday 21st September and we visited the ancient port city of Side on Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coast.
We were here as part of an organised Tour of incredible the Greco-Roman ruins.
For us the highlight of the tour was a visit to this 2nd-century Amphitheatre. There is an entry fee to the Theatre, which was included in our Tour fee.
From memory recall seeing a sign that indicated the entrance fee was €17 but only payable in Turkish Lira (might not be totally accurate).
Our Guide led through the entrance gate and then through one of the many archways, supported by metal girders into the Amphitheatre. It was such a sight looking down the rows and rows of marble seats leading down to the stage. There was further seating above the gate through which we had entered.
Our group sat on the seats while or Guide gave us some historical, anecdotal and social information about the Theatre.
We learnt that during Roman times that gladiator fights, animal flights were held as well as stage plays and shows. Our Guide pointed out to us a water gully at the front of the stage. She informed us that the water that flowed through the gully was used to wash the blood away following fights. Also the great and the good, who occupied the front rows, could wash the blood off themselves, should they have been splattered.
In the Byzantium period the Theatre was converted into an open air church where religious services were undertaken.
Even today the area is used for concerts and cultural events.
In it's heyday it could seat in excess of 15,000 people. The underside of the stone seats were carved so that people using the seats could tuck their feet into the recess for extra comfort while seating.
We did have some time here to explore and walk about the Theatre. It had to be done so we climbed down the steps to the front of the stage. We could not walk on the stage as it was cordoned off. From there we looked up the steps we could see the vastness of the arena with the additional seating at the back where the plebs sat.
As we clambered back up the steps we saw that lions feet were carved into the edge of the seats abutting the steps.Written 28 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - David D18625027,190 contributionsSaturday 21st September and we were on an organised Tour of the Ancient port city of Side.
While walking around the Harbour/Port area of the City, we came across this rather imposing statue in a small park.
The statue pays tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He was born circa 1881 in
Salonica, Ottoman Empire. He died on the 10th November 1938 aged fifty-seven, in Istanbul in Turkey.
During his life he served as a Turkish Field Marshal, he was a revolutionary and author. He was also a founding father of the Republic of Turkey.
His political career saw him serve as the Country's Prime Minister from May 1920 to January 1921. He became the first President of Turkey and was in office from the 29th October 1923 till his death on the 10th November 1938.
During his presidency he began a program of radical reform, political, economic and cultural. Primary education became free and compulsory and Turkish women received equal civil and political rights.
The bronze statue depicts Atatürk satiroially dressed, wearing a bow tie, waistcoat, coat, flat cap and boots. It stands on a black marble plinth which bears his name, date of birth and death. Each edge of the plinth has three pieces of stone cladding
The plinth stands on two stone clad steps, the cladding matches that on the edge of the plinth. The larger of the two steps has a citation celebrating a hundred years of the founding of the Republic of Turkey on the 29th October 1923.
The Monument is flanked on one side by two flagpoles one flying the Turkish flag and is surrounded by flowerbeds with vibrant red flowers.
Even today, many years after his death, the name Atatürk is revered in Turkey.Written 30 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - David D18625027,190 contributionsSaturday 21st September while walking around the ancient port city of Side, we spotted the blue tiled tminaret of the Mosque.
We used the Minaret as a beacon to follow to leed us to the Mosque.It is topped with a metal depiction of a crescent moon and a star, a symbol of Islam. This is mounted on five spherical shapes with a number of speakers around it, which call worshipers to prayer and broadcast the prayers from within.
It is a rather small Mosque with the main square shaped building topped with a rather flat dome.
Apart from the Minaret the most striking part was the Wudu area, this is the washing area that abuts the Mosque. It is a small octagonal shaped structure with a number of mosaic covered pillars supporting a domed roof. The colourful tiles were very eye-catching as was the painted design in the roof of the dome.
The was a sign over the main entrance door which had the name of the Mosque on it as well as the date 1994, we assumed it was when the Holy building opened.
In front of the main door is a a dome with the inside decorated with a colourful pattern.
At the time of our visit the Mosque was closed so it was not possible to enter. There was a sign by the door which depicted the appropriate dress code when entering, some spare clothing was hanging nearby, which visitors could use to cover up.Written 30 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
