Side sits at the center of the rich region of the Antalya coast, and the day trips from the town reach the ancient cities, the waterfalls, the gorges, and the beaches of the area. The region around Side packs the remarkable variety into the short drives, and this guide ranks the best day trips with the practical notes for each.
The Ancient City of Perge
Perge, about half an hour from Side, is the great ancient city of the region, and it makes the essential day trip. The city flourished in the Roman era, and the ruins spread over the wide site: the stadium, one of the largest of the ancient world, the theater, the baths, the agora, and the long colonnaded street with the water channel down the middle; the gates of the city and the acropolis complete the site. Perge is the rich, the atmospheric one, and the scale of the ruins impresses. The ancient city of Perge rewards the full morning.
The practical note: the site is the large one, and the comfortable shoes and the water come along; the summer heat makes the morning visit the wise one; and the site combines well with the nearby Aspendos for the full day of the archaeology.
The Aspendos Theater
Aspendos, about forty minutes from Side, holds one of the best-preserved theaters of the ancient world, and the day trip is the unforgettable one. The theater of Aspendos survives almost intact, with the stage building, the tiers of the seats, and the acoustics that still amaze; the theater is still used for the performances — the opera, the ballet, the festivals — and the visitors hear the whispers from the stage; and the surrounding site adds the aqueduct and the ruins. The Aspendos theater is the marvel of the region, and the visit is the highlight of the archaeology.
The practical note: the theater is the small, the focused site, and the visit takes the hour or two; the performances of the summer are the special experiences, and the tickets book ahead; and the combination with Perge makes the full day.
The Manavgat Waterfalls
The Manavgat Waterfalls, about twenty minutes from Side, are the natural wonder of the region, and the excursion is the refreshing one. The falls cascade over the rocks into the Manavgat River, and the park around them gives the walks, the viewpoints, and the picnic spots; the boat trips on the river and the restaurants of the area complete the visit; and the greenery and the spray of the falls are the change from the coast. The waterfalls make the easy half-day trip, and the natural beauty impresses.
The practical note: the falls are the popular one, and the morning visits are the quieter ones; the park charges the small entry fee; and the combination with the river boat or the beach of the area fills the day.
The Ancient City of Side Itself
The ancient city of Side itself gives the day of the exploring, and the town’s own ruins reward the full visit. The Roman theater, the Temple of Apollo, the colonnaded street, the agora, and the museum fill the day; the ruins mix with the modern town, and the wandering through the ancient streets is the pleasure; and the harbor and the beaches break up the history with the sea. The day in Side’s own ancient city needs no driving, and the compact town delivers the full experience.
The Köprülü Canyon
The Köprülü Canyon, about an hour from Side, is the dramatic gorge of the region, and the day trip is the adventurous one. The canyon cuts through the Taurus Mountains, with the river running through the bottom; the rafting on the river is the popular activity, with the trips for the families and the adrenaline seekers; and the ancient bridge of the canyon, the Oluk Bridge, spans the water. The canyon gives the nature, the adventure, and the cool air of the mountains, and the day trip is the active one.
The practical note: the rafting trips book ahead in the summer, and the gear is the provided one; the canyon is the cooler one than the coast, and the layers help; and the return drive through the mountains is the scenic one.
The Alanya Day Trip
The town of Alanya, about an hour and a half from Side, makes the full day trip with the castle and the beaches. The Alanya Castle crowns the peninsula, with the walls, the towers, and the views over the sea; the Red Tower and the shipyard of the harbor give the history of the maritime era; and the beaches — the Cleopatra Beach and the others — line the coast. The town of Alanya is the livelier one than Side, and the day trip gives the contrast of the big resort town.
The Antalya Day Trip
The city of Antalya, about an hour from Side, gives the day trip into the metropolis of the coast. The old town of Kaleiçi, with the narrow lanes, the Ottoman houses, and the harbor, is the atmospheric one; the museums of the city — the Antalya Museum, one of the best of Turkey — hold the treasures of the region; and the beaches and the marina complete the city. The Antalya day trip gives the urban side of the coast, and the contrast with the small Side is the interesting one.
The Beaches of the Region
The beaches of the region give the day trips without the ruins, and the coast around Side offers the variety. The long beaches toward Manavgat and the quieter coves of the coast give the swimming and the sunbathing; the beach clubs and the restaurants of the area give the day-long stays; and the water of the region is the clear Mediterranean one. The beach day trips of the region are the relaxed ones, and the sand of the area extends for the kilometers.
The Practical Notes for the Day Trips
The practical notes for the Side day trips keep the excursions smooth. The rental car is the freedom of the region, and the organized tours cover the routes for the non-drivers; the distances are the manageable ones, and the roads are the good ones; the summer heat makes the early starts the wise ones; and the water, the sunscreen, and the hats come along for the sites. The day trips from Side are the easy ones to plan, and the region rewards the extra days.
The Getting There for the Day TripsnnThe getting there for the day trips from Side stays the simple one, and the transport of the region connects the excursions. The car is the freedom of the region, and the rental at the airport or in the town makes the excursions easy; the minibuses of the coast run the routes between the towns, and the organized tours cover the popular excursions for the travelers without the wheels; and the distances of the region stay the manageable ones, and the drives between the sights are the scenic ones. The getting there for the day trips keeps the excursions smooth, and the region’s transport delivers the traveler to the sights. The day trips of Side work the easy way, and the connections of the coast complete the routes.n
The Day Trip CombinationsnnThe region rewards the combining of the day trips, and the pairings make the full days of the variety. The Perge and the Aspendos combination covers the two great ancient cities in the one day, with the lunch between them; the Manavgat Waterfalls combine with the river boat and the beach of the area; and the Antalya trip combines the old town with the museum. The day trips from Side combine well, and the planning of the pairings fills the days with the variety. The region delivers the rich days, and the combinations make the most of the stay.n
The Takeaway
The day trips from Side reach the best of the Antalya region: the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos, the Manavgat Waterfalls, the Köprülü Canyon, and the towns of Alanya and Antalya. The distances are the short ones, and the variety is the remarkable one. The visitor who stays a week in Side can see the ancient world, the natural wonders, and the big cities of the coast — all within the day-trip radius.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best day trip from Side?
The Aspendos theater for the ancient world, and the Manavgat Waterfalls for the nature.
How far is Perge from Side?
About half an hour by car, making the ancient city the easy excursion.
Can I visit the Koprulu Canyon from Side?
Yes, the canyon is about an hour away, and the rafting trips run through the summer.
Do I need a car for the Side day trips?
The car gives the freedom, but the organized tours cover the popular routes.
Is Aspendos worth the trip from Side?
Absolutely — the theater is one of the best-preserved of the ancient world.
All Over Information
The All Over Information editorial team researches and writes practical English-language guides to Turkey. Facts are checked against official and local sources before publication, prices are published as dated ranges rather than quotes, and guides are revised when things change. We accept no sponsored posts, paid placements or paid links.
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