An unforgettable journey in Side 2018

Between Alanya and Antalya is located the Turkish Mediterranean resort - Side. To the sides of the center of this small town stretched stripes of hotels. Beach holidays - the main direction of this resort. But sightseeing tourism is also well developed here, as there are many ruins of ancient structures on the territory of Side. The fact that the city was founded by the ancient Greeks is evidenced by fragments of ancient structures, a market square, temples, a bathhouse, an amphitheater and much more.

How to get there

You can get to Side in any of the ways - by sea, land or air.

Antalya has the airport closest to Side. This is followed by direct flights from Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo. Round-trip flights start at $ 260. The flight will take 3.5 hours. You can save some money and fly with transfers in Ankara or Istanbul for $ 220, but then the travel time can take from 5.5 to 18 hours.

From St. Petersburg, all flights to Antalya follow with transfers in Minsk, Istanbul, Paris, Moscow. You will have to spend 10-14 hours on the way. The cost of a return ticket starts at $ 320.

From the airport to Side, you can get there by a fixed-route minibus for 400 rubles or by taxi for 3,600 rubles in about 1 hour.

You can get to Side by bus. The road will take more than 3 days. You can go through Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria. From Moscow there is an opportunity to get to Batumi for $ 70, and then transfer to the bus and Antalya and get there for $ 30 and 26 hours on the road. And from Antalya to Side by minibus or taxi.

Another option is by ferry. Every Friday and Tuesday, high-speed vessels leave for Trabzon from the seaport of Sochi. A ticket costs about 70 euros, a cruise will take 4.5 hours. Upon arrival, you will need to go to Antalya by bus for 21 hours. Ticket price - 1 200 rubles.

Beach Holidays in Side

There are two beaches in Side - west and east. They are located nearby and both are sandy, but between them there are some distinguishing ones. The western beach is more popular because the sea in this place is shallow and therefore it is considered safer. This is a great place to relax with the kids. Almost the entire territory of the beach is divided between hotels and bars. Expensive hotels have their own beaches and for outsiders the entrance here is closed. Entrance is free in the municipal parts, it will only be necessary to pay for the use of infrastructure - 60-130 rubles.

The infrastructure and ecology of both beaches complies with international standards, so they are marked with the Blue Flag.

In the midst of the beach season, the west beach is always fun, noisy and crowded. So that vacationers would not be bored they will be invited to go water-skiing, sailing, diving, boat trips, parasailing. Near the beach grow orange and coniferous groves. Fans of a relaxing holiday can stroll along the coastline to Turtle Beach.

All Side Hotels in 2018: All Inclusive Prices

A popular tourist area is located west of the center of the resort town. There are very beautiful and clean beaches along which no less attractive hotel complexes and hotels are located. The cost of a double room on the first coastline ranges from 4,000 to 13,400 rubles. To the east of the peninsula there is a calm area in the territory of which several hotels are located. Room rates in them are from 2,700 to 9,500 rubles.

There are many five-star hotels in Side with the appropriate level of service and various additional options, water parks, pools. Prices for a double room range from 4,000 to 13,500 rubles.

There are fewer middle-class hotels, triples, and fours in the resort than five-star hotels.For accommodation in a double room, prices start at 2,700 rubles, and with the all-inclusive system - from 4,000 rubles per day.

Near the historical center you can find budget accommodation. It is about 2 km from the coast. From 950 to 1,600 rubles are asked for a room in this area. Also the cheapest accommodation on the cape or away from the beaches.

Motels are the most budget accommodation option, a room in them costs about 680 rubles per day. You can find a hotel without stars and meals for 800 - 2,000 rubles.

Side Vacation Prices: Meals

The Mediterranean left its mark on traditional Turkish cuisine - there are a lot of seafood dishes on the menu of catering establishments. Everything else is the same - a large number of flour products, salads with olive oil and feta cheese, pilafs, kebabs. Everywhere you can find restaurants that represent various cuisines of the world - Mexican, English, Japanese, French and others.

Sweet tooth guaranteed to enjoy goat ice cream. Many do not like milk itself, but everyone will appreciate the taste of a cool treat.

The all-inclusive system in Turkey is ubiquitous and many vacationers bypass food establishments as unnecessary. But still I want to diversify pastimes and spend a couple of evenings outside the hotel. Dinner with wine in a modest cafe on average will cost 550 - 1,000 rubles. You can eat on the go for 140 - 400 rubles. The range of street vendors includes stuffed mussels, fish sandwiches, lahmajun (Turkish pizza), doner kebab.

In a middle-class restaurant, dinner will cost from 1,000 to 2,100 rubles. In more expensive institutions, this cost can reach up to 5,400 rubles.

In the evenings, some catering facilities turn into nightclubs where you can dance, smoke a hookah, drink strong drinks and relax.

Attractions and entertainment

Side is a city-museum that the ancient European capitals will envy for the many tourist sites located on its territory. Many of them are over 2,000 years old!

In Side are the ruins of Agora - the largest square of the ancient settlement. Near the Agora there is a basilica - the ruins of the oldest Greek structure. Ancient walls block the old city from the mainland. This resort is literally full of historical sites. Fans of sightseeing tourism will definitely not be bored here.

In the Taurus Mountains, 15 km from Side, the Green Canyon is located - a very picturesque nature reserve. Children and their parents will be very interested to walk between the rocks on the lake by boat or catamaran.

Side is not the best place for diving. But not far from old Antalya, in the coastal waters lies a French warship called the "San Didier", which sank during the Second World War. A participant in the same war, the American Hadley’s Harem plane, lies at the bottom of the sea 200 meters from Manavgat. Near Side there are several reefs where people want to dive. Diving club is located east of the historic city center. The course of study and immersion will cost from 8,700 to 17,400 rubles.

Holidays in Side with children

The town is calm and small, sandy beaches with a smooth entrance to the sea, a lot of water activities make rest with children interesting and comfortable. This resort has a lot of family hotels with animators and children's menus. The hotels have playgrounds and rooms, large water parks with pools.

In the town itself, there is little entertainment for children, but an hour away is Alanya and Antalya, where their huge selection is presented for children. This is a miniature park, an aquarium, an amusement park, a zoo, several water parks.

Advantages and disadvantages of leisure in Side

The advantages of Side include beautiful sandy beaches, picturesque vegetation, the aroma of eucalyptus trees and a huge number of attractions. Almost the entire town is a solid open-air museum.

There are practically no shortcomings, not counting only the heat in high season. Another disadvantage can be attributed to the crowded.But this is just another confirmation that Side is a resort that many tourists love.