The Temple of Apollo is the picture-postcard heart of Side: a row of tall marble columns standing right on the tip of a small peninsula, with the sea on three sides. It sits inside Side ancient city, an open-air Roman town of theatres, streets and an agora — and the whole site is roughly 65 km east of Antalya airport (AYT), about 55–65 minutes by road, traffic and season depending.
The simplest way to arrive is a private transfer door to door: you're dropped near the old town, you wander the ruins on foot, and your driver waits or returns when you're ready — no parking hunt, no rushed coach schedule.
What is the Temple of Apollo & Side ancient city?
Side (say it "SEE-deh") is a rare thing on the Turkish Riviera — a lived-in resort town wrapped around genuine ancient ruins. You walk in past the old city gate and along columned streets, with cafés, shops and hotels sitting cheek-by-jowl with weathered stone. It's atmospheric rather than fenced-off, and much of it is simply there to stroll through.
The star is the Temple of Apollo, whose re-erected columns crown the point at the far end of town, overlooking the harbour. Nearby you'll find a large, well-preserved Roman theatre, the agora (the old marketplace) and scattered temples and baths. Side is mostly open-air and walkable once you arrive, though some parts — such as the theatre and the museum housed in the old Roman baths — are ticketed. Fees and opening hours shift with the season, so check the current details before you set out.
How to get there & drive times
From Antalya airport it's roughly 65 km east, about 55–65 minutes in normal conditions; from central Antalya hotels reckon on a little more. Summer coastal traffic and the odd roadworks can stretch that, so treat any drive time as approximate. If you're already staying in Manavgat, Kumköy or Belek, you're much closer.
Your options are the usual three. A hire car gives freedom but means summer traffic, a fiddly hunt for parking near the pedestrianised old town, and driving yourself home tired at the end of a hot day. A coach day trip is cheaper but runs to a fixed timetable with early pick-ups and long loops collecting other guests. A private transfer is the middle path made easy: your own vehicle and driver, collected from your hotel door, dropped as close to the ruins as vehicles are allowed, with the driver on hand for the trip back — you set the pace, not a clipboard.
Planning your first arrival into the region? Our complete airport transfer guide covers meet-and-greet, flight tracking and how fixed pricing works. If Side is also your resort base, see the dedicated Antalya airport to Side transfer route, or the airport to Manavgat transfer if you're staying just inland.
What to combine it with nearby
Side pairs beautifully with a boat trip — the harbour right below the temple is where day boats set off along the coast, and it's an easy way to see the columns from the water. For the guided boat outing itself, our sister site sideboattrips.com is the place to look; we simply get you to and from the quay in comfort.
Inland, the Manavgat Waterfall and its riverside market make a natural half-day add-on — a broad, low cascade rather than a towering one, but a pleasant, shady stop. See our Manavgat Waterfall day-trip guide for the details. History lovers can string Side together with the great Roman sites west of here; the Aspendos ancient theatre is one of the best-preserved anywhere and works well as a combined ruins day with your own driver for the day.
Best time to visit & practical tips
Side is largely open-air with little shade among the ruins, so early morning or the golden hour before sunset are kindest — cooler light, softer heat, and the temple columns glowing against the sea. Midsummer midday is fierce; bring water, sun cream, a hat and proper walking shoes, as the ancient streets are uneven underfoot.
Give yourself two to three hours to do the site and the old town justice, more if you'll linger over lunch or a swim. Sunset at the Temple of Apollo is genuinely special and popular, so it does draw a crowd — a private driver makes an evening visit painless, since you're not tied to a coach's departure time. Check the current hours and any ticket fees for the theatre and museum before you go, as these change seasonally.
Who it suits
Side is a strong all-rounder. History buffs get real, walkable Roman ruins; couples get one of the coast's most romantic sunset spots; and families do well because it's compact, has beaches and cafés close at hand, and doesn't demand a long guided march. With a private transfer we can fit free child or infant seats on request, so travelling with little ones is straightforward — more on that in our family transfer & child seats guide. It suits anyone who wants culture without committing a whole rigid day to a coach.
When you're ready, book a private transfer or a driver for the day at bookridenow.com — fixed price agreed upfront, licensed local drivers, door to door, and an instant quote in a couple of taps.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Side from Antalya airport?
It's roughly 65 km east of Antalya airport, which is about 55–65 minutes by road in normal traffic. Summer and coastal congestion can add time, so treat that as approximate. If you're staying in nearby Manavgat, Kumköy or Belek, the drive is shorter.
Do I need a ticket to see the Temple of Apollo?
The temple itself stands out on the point in the open-air part of town, which you can generally walk to freely as part of the old city. Some elements — notably the ancient theatre and the museum in the Roman baths — are ticketed. Fees and hours change with the season, so check the current details before your visit.
How long should I spend in Side?
Allow two to three hours to enjoy the ruins, the temple and a wander through the old town. Add more if you plan to have lunch, swim, or stay for sunset. With a private driver you can set your own pace rather than rushing back for a coach.
Is Side worth visiting?
Yes — it's one of the few places where you stroll through genuine Roman ruins in a living seaside town, and the Temple of Apollo on the point is one of the coast's iconic views, especially at sunset. It combines history, beaches and easy dining in one compact spot, which is why it's a firm favourite.
Is Side good for families with children?
It works well for families: it's compact and walkable, there are beaches and cafés close by, and there's no long guided trek involved. With a private transfer we can provide free child or infant seats on request, so getting there and back with little ones is comfortable and safe.
Can I combine Side with a boat trip?
Absolutely. Day boats leave from the harbour right below the temple, so a short cruise along the coast is an easy add-on. We handle the transport to and from the quay; for the guided boat tour itself, take a look at our sister site sideboattrips.com.
Is it better to visit Side by private transfer or hire car?
A private transfer avoids the two summer headaches: coastal traffic and parking near the pedestrianised old town. Your driver drops you as close as vehicles are allowed and is on hand for the return, so you don't drive home tired after a hot day. A hire car offers more freedom but more hassle, especially in peak season.
What's the best time of day to see the Temple of Apollo?
Early morning or the hour before sunset are best — cooler, softer light and fewer harsh shadows on the columns. Sunset here is genuinely lovely and popular, so it gets busy; a private driver lets you stay for it without worrying about a fixed coach departure.