Side

Side’s archaeological park is compact and flat, perfect for exploration on foot. One can circle the entire ancient city in a leisurely few hours, encountering monuments at every turn. Here is a suggested walking route through the highlights:

• The Grand Entrance – Vespasian Gate and Nymphaeum: Enter the ruins via the west gate of the old city walls, a triple-arch Hellenistic structure later dedicated to Emperor Vespasian. As you pass through, envision ancient Side’s main thoroughfare unfolding ahead of you. Immediately opposite the gate stands the Nymphaeum, a lavish multi-story fountain dating from the 2nd century AD. This monumental water display once drew mountain spring water through aqueducts into its upper reservoirs, cascading down tiers of niche pools. Though only fragments remain today, the Nymphaeum would have been a grand public focal point – think of it as an ornate ancient fountain plaza at the city’s entrance.
• The Agora and the Temple of Tyche: A short stroll from the gate brings you to the State Agora, Side’s ancient marketplace and administrative center. Imagine merchants, citizens, and even foreign traders packing this open square. At the center once stood the circular Temple of Tyche (Fortuna) – the goddess of luck and prosperity – with its twelve columns surrounding a small shrine. The choice of Tyche as the temple’s patron underscores how vital trade fortunes were to Side’s wealth. Overlooking the agora are the remains of what would have been bustling shops and government offices. In its heyday, this plaza would have been the nexus of urban life. In later times it even served as a grim slave market before the Romans suppressed piracy.
• The Colonnaded Street: Beyond the agora stretches Side’s famous marble-paved avenue, a broad decumanus lined with columns. On either side of this street once stood porticoes with colonnades shielding shoppers and dignitaries. Today you can walk on raised glass platforms above the original paving stones to inspect ancient mosaics set into the roadbed. Many shops and wealthy villas once adjoined this grand boulevard. In one stretch of the street near the agora lie the ruins of public Roman baths, whose restored interior now houses the Side Museum. The colonnaded street ends at the harbor once filled with triremes and merchant ships; in antiquity this was the “sea end” of the city, marked by its famous twin temples (coming up).
• The Colossal Roman Theater: Turning south from the main street, you approach Side’s 2nd-century amphitheater, one of the largest in the region. Impressively, this theater was built entirely on arches rather than nestled into a hillside – a Roman engineering marvel. It once seated 15,000–20,000 spectators (nearly equal to the population of Side in its prime). Gladiatorial fights, dramatic plays, and public spectacles were staged here, the sounds echoing over stone tiers. Today, much of the seating and stage façade are intact. Climbing to the top tier rewards you with a sweeping panorama: behind you, the sea glitters under the midday sun; below you sprawl rows of ancient columns and ruined houses. Practical tip: visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds. If you stay until sunset, the theater’s stone carvings cast long shadows and the scene transforms into golden tranquility – a magical moment often cited by photographers.
• The Iconic Duo – Temple of Apollo and Temple of Athena: Continue to the tip of the peninsula for Side’s signature view. Here, just inland from the modern harbor, rise the elegant marble columns of two twin temples. The larger is the Temple of Apollo, built around 150 AD during Rome’s Pax Romana. The smaller is a parion temple dedicated to Athena, Side’s original patron goddess (Athena’s head even appears on the city’s ancient coins). These stood sentinel at the harbor entrance for centuries, declaring Side under divine protection. With the blue sea stretching out behind them, the ruins have become an emblem of Side. It is highly recommended to experience this sight at sunset: as the setting sun backlights the columns, the ruins glow with an otherworldly radiance that feels almost sacred. (Local guides note that few photos compare to the real-life moment of watching day turn to dusk here.)
• The Side Museum (Roman Baths): If you need a break from the sun and a dose of cooler air, head back toward the agora to the restored Roman bath complex. In late antiquity these baths were a major civic amenity; today the caldarium and halls have been carefully refurbished into the Side Museum. Its collection is surprisingly rich for a small site. Inside you’ll find a dozen statues of gods and emperors, intricately carved sarcophagi, relief panels, and coins unearthed during excavation. Not only does the building itself (with its soaring vaulted ceilings) offer an atmospheric escape from the heat, but the artifacts provide context: look for pieces that once stood in the very streets and squares you walked through. A visit to the museum rounds out the tour by bringing many of the loose fragments of history into a single display.

In sum, Side’s ruins are remarkably walkable and diverse. From the lavish water fountain at the gate to the temples and theater by the sea, visitors can literally tread the same earth as ancient Greeks and Romans. Each site here is no mere backdrop; it still occupies the heart of the town’s life.

For those staying a full week, variety is the spice of travel. A sample table plan is below:

(All tours can be booked through hotel desks or local agencies. Adjust the sequence if you prefer to cluster mountain/adventure days on cooler mornings or to swap water activities on different days.)