Since 1995, Twarp has guided travelers to Turkey's hotels. Side is a rare resort where a Roman old town meets miles of sandy beach. Stay in Side Old Town for history and atmosphere, in Kumköy or Evrenseki for big all-inclusive resorts, in Çolaklı for families, or in Titreyengöl for a quieter lakeside setting. This guide breaks down each area by budget, beach and vibe.
| Side Old TownAntique hotels, harbour, ruins at your door | KumköyAll-inclusive resorts, wide sandy beach | EvrensekiBeach resorts, family-friendly |
| ÇolaklıValue resorts, long beach, aquaparks | TitreyengölQuiet lake, mid-range hotels | KızılotNature, turtle beach, low-key |
Side is spread along roughly 15 km of coast in the Manavgat district (Manavgat). The historic peninsula — with the Temple of Apollo, the theatre and the colonnaded streets — is one end of the strip; the big resort beaches (Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı) stretch east towards Manavgat. Distances are short but the dolmuş and taxi rides add up, so pick your area around what you want to do most: sightseeing, all-inclusive lounging, or family activities.
Beach reality: Side's beaches are broad and sandy, with shallow entry — excellent for children. The sea warms from about 17°C in spring to 28°C in late summer.
The peninsula is full of small, characterful hotels built among the ruins — stone courtyards, bougainvillea and sea views. You can walk to the Temple of Apollo for sunset and dine by the harbour. Rooms are limited and book out early in high season.
These neighbouring strips are the heart of Side's big all-inclusive resorts, with wide sandy beaches, pools, kids' clubs and watersports. Ideal if you want everything on site and rarely leave the hotel.
Çolaklı offers good-value family resorts with a long beach and nearby aquaparks; Titreyengöl ("Shaking Lake") is a quieter, greener pocket with mid-range hotels and a small lake nature reserve.
Yes — the sandy, shallow beaches and the concentration of family resorts and aquaparks make Side one of the best family destinations on the Turkish Riviera.
Stay in the Old Town for atmosphere and sightseeing; stay in Kumköy, Evrenseki or Çolaklı if you want a big all-inclusive resort and a wide beach.
May-June and September-October offer warm sea and comfortable temperatures. July-August are hot and busy.