SIDE: A Cultural Paradise Between History and Natural Beauty

Turkey, a land where culture and history converge, boasting fascinating sites with majestic ruins from a great past. For history enthusiasts, lovers, and enthusiasts, Turkey is a true paradise. Here awaits a rich heritage from prehistory, ancient times, and the Middle Ages, combined with a vibrant cultural scene.

A journey to Turkey promises not only tours to historical sites, but also a wealth of tours, excursions, activities, and activities from SIDE. These not only facilitate cultural exchange but also offer unforgettable experiences. The contrasts between the magnificent past and the vibrant present make Turkey a melting pot of cultures.

A journey to Turkey leads visitors to some of the oldest cities in the world. Day trips and multi-day trips from SIDE offer the opportunity to explore sights that provide a fascinating blend of history, nature, and culture. Here, travelers can get to know the land and its people and enjoy unforgettable experiences for all ages.

In the most significant travel destinations like SIDE, Travelassistant24 provides countless and affordable excursions, tours, activities, and activities from SIDE that provide insight into Turkey's rich history. Istanbul, once the heart of the Ottoman Empire, is now a cultural capital reflecting the history of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

In close proximity to the coveted resorts and tourist hubs along the Turkish Riviera, such as SIDE, there are numerous ancient cities that occupy a significant place in world and civilization history. Here, visitors have the opportunity to not only enjoy the sea, sand, and sun but also immerse themselves in the rich past represented by nearby ancient sites like Perge, Aspendos, Termessos, Olympos, Phaselis, Myra, Demre, Arykanda, Side, Simena/Kaleköy, and Kekova. These places not only serve as silent witnesses of past civilizations but also as idyllic retreats surrounded by natural beauty.

The same applies to the Turkish Aegean Coast, where in close proximity to popular resorts like SIDE, there are also ancient sites like Ephesus, Troy, Pergamon, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Priene, Miletus, and Didyma.

Whether you want to explore all the significant attractions and sights independently with a rental car or public transportation from SIDE, or whether you prefer to book half-day trips, day trips, multi-day trips, tours, and activities to sites and attractions like Perge, Aspendos, Termessos, Olympos, Phaselis, Myra, Demre, Arykanda, Side, Simena/Kaleköy, and Kekova, Ephesus, Troy, Pergamon, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Priene, Miletus, and Didyma, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, Gobekli Tepe at Travelassistant24 is entirely up to you. Our team at Travelassistant24 is always here to advise you and share our experiences and recommendations with you.

However, Turkey not only offers historical sites. The diversity of Turkish cuisine, the hospitality of the people, traditional tea culture, handwoven Turkish oriental carpets, the bustling bazaar, traditional music such as the saz, and the fascinating Sufi dance offer visitors a comprehensive cultural experience.

Turkey is not only a land of the past but also a land of celebrations and traditions. Folk festivals, traditional crafts such as ceramics and carpet weaving, Anatolian dances, and culinary specialties like baklava and kebab shape the country's cultural life.

The stunning landscape of Turkey ranges from mountain landscapes to the coasts of the Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea, and the Black Sea. The rivers Euphrates and Tigris traverse the land, while caravanserais along the ancient Silk Roads tell stories of past trade routes.

In Turkey, the heritage of Ottoman architecture is ubiquitous, from the magnificent Hagia Sophia to the Sultanahmet Mosque and the Topkapi Palace and the Istanbul Bazaar. The country is a living museum revealing the history and culture of Anatolia in every corner.

Just as SIDE is overall, Turkey is a country that enchants its visitors with its rich culture, eventful history, and natural beauty. A journey to Turkey promises unforgettable experiences and a glimpse into the fascinating diversity of this country, which was once the center of great civilizations such as the Hittites, Lycians, Lydians, Greek colonies, Alexander's empire, the Roman Empire, and the Byzantine Empire.

Considering spending your vacation in SIDE? At Travelassistant24, a wide range of historical and cultural tours, activities, and excursions are available to cater to every taste.

Bored om is not an issue for either the young or the old. Would you like to know more? We have compiled for you the best activities, activities, and excursions in SIDE, Turkey.

★ TOP 15

THE TOP 15 things to do in Side | attractions and activities

Here are my top 15 things to do and see in Side that make the city a popular travel destination:

Side Ancient City: Explore the fascinating ruins of the ancient city, including the Ancient Theater, the Temple of Apollo and the Agora.

Side Museum: Visit the Archaeological Museum which features an impressive collection of artifacts from the region. 

Side Harbour: Stroll along the charming harbour, watch the fishing boats and enjoy the views of the Mediterranean. 

Side Beach: Relax on the beautiful sandy beaches of Side and enjoy the clear blue waters.

Manavgat Waterfall: Take a trip to the imposing Manavgat Waterfall where you can enjoy the natural beauty and the sound of the water.

Aspendos Theatre: Visit the well-preserved ancient theater of Aspendos, famous for its acoustic properties.

Boat tour along the coast: Take a boat tour along the coast of Side, where you can explore different bays, swim and snorkel.

Side Agora: Visit the ancient trading center of Side and marvel at the ruins of columns, buildings and baths.

Diving: Discover the fascinating underwater world of the Mediterranean and take part in a diving excursion.

Side Museum of Ancient Art: Admire the impressive collection of ancient sculptures and artifacts at the Museum of Ancient Art. 

Side Apollo Temple: Visit the Temple of Apollo, one of the most famous attractions in Side. 

Side Hamam: Treat yourself to a relaxing hammam treatment and enjoy traditional Turkish bathing culture.

Boat Tour on Manavgat River: Take a boat trip on Manavgat River and experience the scenic landscape and wildlife.

Side Promenade: Stroll along Side's promenade lined with restaurants, bars and shops and enjoy the hustle and bustle.

Perge: Take a trip to the ancient city of Perga where you can explore impressive ruins such as the theatre, the stadium and the nymphaeum.

These activities offer a mix of cultural, historical and natural experiences to ensure visitors have a memorable time in Side and are able to experience the area's beauty and history.

ℹ️ Good to know about Side

Side, whose name means \'pomegranate\' in old Greek in Anatolia is a coastal resort town in the Antalya province, 75 km east of the city of Antalya, Turkey.

Touristic part of Manavgat city is called as Side, where you find ancient ruins and hotel nowadays. Property sales in Side, Turkey is mainly for British and German buyers.

Side was founded by Greek settlers in the 7th century BCE and because of its harbour became one of the most important centers for trade in the region. Side had its own language still undeciphered, which is found on several inscriptions from the 300-200 BC. excavations at Side have also discovered evidence of an even early Neo-Hittite civilization in a basalt column base from the 7th century BCE.

Alexander the Great occupied Side in 333 BCE and brought Hellenistic culture to Side. Following the death of Alexander in 300, Side was ruled by Alexander\'s general Ptolemy I, whose dynasty controlled Side until the 2nd century BCE, when it fell under the Seleucid Empire. Side grew and prospered and became a significant cultural center.

In 190 BCE Side\'s Seleucid King Antiochus waa defeated by a Roman supported fleet from the Rhodes. The Treaty of Apamea (188 BC) required Antiochus to give up territory north of the Taurus Mountains to Pergamum. Around this time the harbor of present-day Antalya was built by Attalus II Philadelphus. In the 1st century BCE, Cilician pirates took over Side\'s harbor and used it as the base for their slave trade until they were defeated by Roman consul Servilius Vatia in 78 BCE.

 In 67 BCE Pompey brought Side under the control of Roman Empire and in 25 BCEEmperor Augustus added Side to the Roman province of Galatia. Side began to prosper as a center of commerce through its in olive oil trade and the population grew to over 60,000.

Most of the ruins excavated at Side date from the first three centuries CE. In the 4th century, invasions began to weaken the city. Despite becoming the seat of the Bishopric of Eastern Pmphylia in the 5th century, its defenses could not withstand the Arab invasions of the 7th century. Earthquakes further destroyed the city, which was largely deserted by the 10th century.

In the 12th century, during the early Byzantine period, Side again flourished briefly as a major city with a sig ificant Jewish population. But subsequent invasions decimated the city, which came to be called Eski Adalia (old Antalya) after its population moved to what is now Antalya City.

The ruins of Side are among the most notable in Asia Minor. The ruins of the theatre complex are the largest of Pamphylia. Built like a Roman amphitheatre, Side\'s theater sat over 15,000. After serving as the site for gladiator fights, the theater was converted into two chapels during the early Byzantine era. Having been the Bishopric of Eastern Pamphylia, it is still a titular see of the Roman Catholic church.

Side has been under excavation by archeologists since 1947 and flourishes today, as a popular holiday destination.

Travelassistant24 • Side Guide