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Introduction
Aerial view

When the time came to open a branch office in the Antalya region I jumped at the chance as Side has always held a very special place in my heart. Situated halfway between Antalya and Alanya the small town of Antik Side remains relatively unspoilt, thankfully due to the fact that it is located on a very small peninsular. Just 800m by 400m, the town offers a great mix of shops, bars, hotels, restaurants and beautiful traditional buildings nestled amongst some of the most astounding archaeological ruins. I feel truly honoured to live in such a unique place and hope these photographs give you a better understanding of why!
Welcome to Side
Image 1

Occupying a narrow peninsular on the sparkling Mediterranean coast, Side's history stretches back thousands of years. The resort is surrounded by stunning ruins, including the waterside Temple of Apollo and a well preserved Roman amphitheatre, which still hosts colourful performances. Side’s archaeological importance means there are strict local planning regulations, which has helped the town maintain its charming character. Nearby Aspendos has a fantastic Roman theatre, which hosts a dazzling annual festival of breathtaking opera, ballet and musical performances during the summer months.

Side is at the centre of a beautiful and very diverse region where the Taurus Mountains descend to the Pamphylian Plain. The unspoilt Sorgun forest, just east of the resort, offers walks or horse riding along its sandy trails. Two golf courses are planned for this area, joining the 6 courses already at Belek, which is only 30 minutes away. Indeed, with over 30 courses planned for the Antalya region over the next 10 years, Side promises to be at the centre of Europe’s most exciting new golfing area.

 
History In the Side area
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The great ruins of Side are among the most notable in Asia Minor. They cover a large promontory where a wall and a moat separate it from the mainland. During medieval times, the wall and mote were repaired and the promontory houses a wealth of structures.
There are colossal ruins of a theater complex built much like a Roman amphitheater which relies on arches to support the sheer verticals. The Roman style was adopted because Side lacked a convenient hillside that could be hollowed out as in the usual Greek fashion more typical of Asia Minor. The theater is less well preserved than the Aspendos theater, but it is almost as large, seating 15,000 people. With time and the shifting of the earth, the scena wall has collapsed over the stage and the proscenium is in a cataract of loose blocks.
 
The well preserved city walls provide an entrance to the site through the main gate of the ancient city, although gate is now badly damaged. Next comes the colonnaded street although the marble columns once there do not exist anymore. All that remains is a few broken stubs near the old Roman baths. The street leads to the a public bath restored as a museum displaying Roman period statues and sarcophagai. Next is the agora where pirates sold slaves. The current remains of the theatre, which was used as a gladiator stadium a(nd much later even as a church) and the monumental gate date back to the 2nd Century. The early Roman Temple of Dionysus is near the theater. The fountain gracing the entrance is restored. At the left side are the remains of a Byzantine Basilica. A pubic bath has been restored.
 
The remaining ruins of Side include three temples, one of which is the much photographed Apollo Temple by the harbour, an aqueduct, and a nymphaeum. Side's nymphaeum – a grotto with a natural water supply dedicated to the nymphs – was an artificial grotto or fountain building of elaborate design.
 
Turkish archaeologists have been excavating Side since 1947 and intermittently continue to do so.
Shopping in Side
Traditional shopping atmosphere.

How to get to the Side area
Mediterranean Map

Just 63 km or a 45 minute drive from Antalya International airport. There are now direct year-round charter flights from the UK and other European countries plus regular domestic flights from Izmir, Istanbul and other major Turkish Airports.
 
For flights from the UK these are the companies I use most regularly:

If you are considering visiting Turkey to take a look at property, or even just to visit the area and see what you think, I would be more than happy to search for flights on your behalf. You can email your dates and local airport to me at enquiries@kaleturkishproperties.co.uk and I will get back to you within 24 hours with some results.