Side

Side: A Timeless Shimmer on the Turkish Riviera

Side, the pearl of the Antalya province, or the Pamphylian coast as it was known in ancient times, continues to captivate visitors long after sunset. As daylight fades, the Temple of Apollo remains aglow mere steps from the shoreline, its ancient columns casting golden hues on the surrounding sand. As the Mediterranean breeze gently wafts in the air, the entire scene unfolds like a dream —arguably one of the most romantic backdrops on the Turkish Riviera.,

The city’s story stretches back to the 6th century BCE, when it emerged as a bustling port on a narrow peninsula about 80 kilometers east of Antalya. Over the centuries, the famed locale has witnessed the rise and fall of empires and a string of Hellenistic rulers from Alexander the Great to the Kingdom of Pergamon, the Romans, and later, the Eastern Romans (Byzantines). In the early 20th century, Cretan immigrants built Selimiye Village atop its ruins, unknowingly laying the foundation for the popular summer resort enclave it has become today —one buzzing with a wealth of shops, hotels, and restaurants set among the surrounding monuments and legacy.