How Far Is Side from Belek?

Side is approximately 35 kilometres east of Belek along the D400 coastal highway. The drive takes around 35 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, which can be heavier in July and August around the Manavgat junction. There is no motorway — the entire route runs along the D400, which is a well-maintained single carriageway coastal road passing through pine forests, small towns and resort areas.

The Route from Belek to Side

The route is simple and requires no navigation beyond the D400 heading east. Leave Belek on the D400, pass through the Serik district and continue east through Titreyengöl and Sorgun. After around 30 kilometres you will see signs for Side — turn right at the main junction and follow the road south down the peninsula into the old town.

The approach road into Side runs between two beaches — Doğu Plajı to the left and Batı Plajı to the right — before arriving at the main car park at the entrance to the old town peninsula. Leave your car here and explore on foot.

Driving tip: Do not attempt to drive into the old town itself. The streets inside are narrow, cobbled and largely pedestrianised. The main car park at the entrance to the peninsula is well signposted and costs a small fee. In peak season it fills quickly — arrive before 10am to be sure of a space.

What to See in Side

The Temple of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo is the defining image of Side — five standing Corinthian columns on a promontory above the sea, framing a view of the Mediterranean that has been photographed millions of times and still manages to be genuinely beautiful in person. Built in the second century AD and dedicated jointly to Apollo and Athena, the temple is most spectacular at sunset when the columns glow amber against a darkening sea. Visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and the midday heat.

Side Theatre

Side’s Roman theatre is one of the largest in Asia Minor, with a seating capacity of around 15,000 and a remarkably complete two-storey stage building. Unlike Aspendos, which is better preserved, Side’s theatre sits right in the middle of the modern town, surrounded by shops and restaurants — an extraordinary juxtaposition of ancient and contemporary. Entrance is included in the same ticket as the museum.

Side Museum

Housed in a beautifully restored Roman bathhouse in the centre of the old town, the Side Museum contains an excellent collection of statuary, sarcophagi and artefacts recovered from the ancient city. It is small enough to see in an hour but the quality of the pieces — particularly the sculptures — is very high. The building itself is as interesting as the collection.

The Colonnaded Street and City Gate

Walking from the car park into the old town, you follow the route of Side’s ancient colonnaded main street. The bases of the columns that once lined it are still visible along the modern road. At the far end stands the monumental city gate — a triple-arched entrance built in the second century AD. Beyond it, the old town spreads out in a dense grid of streets between the theatre and the sea.

Side Beaches

Side has two excellent beaches running along either side of the peninsula. Batı Plajı — the western beach — is the longer of the two and backed by hotels and beach clubs. Doğu Plajı — the eastern beach — is quieter and has a more local feel. Both are clean, well-maintained and ideal for a swim before or after exploring the ruins. The water in this part of the Mediterranean is calm, warm and clear from May through to October.

The Ancient Harbour

Side’s ancient harbour is now a working marina filled with gulet boats and fishing vessels, but the outline of the Roman harbour walls is still clearly visible beneath and around the modern quay. Walking along the harbour front in the early evening, with the fishing boats coming in and the restaurants setting out their tables, is one of the most atmospheric things you can do in the entire region.

Where to Eat in Side

Side has a wide range of restaurants concentrated around the harbour and the streets near the Temple of Apollo. The waterfront restaurants serve fresh fish and seafood and are generally excellent, though prices are higher here than elsewhere in the region. For better value, walk a street or two back from the harbour where smaller family-run restaurants serve the same quality of food at significantly lower prices.

For lunch, the Liman Restaurant beside the harbour is a local institution. For dinner, the terrace restaurants near the Temple of Apollo offer the best combination of food and atmosphere — particularly at sunset.

Combining Side With Other Stops

Manavgat Waterfall

The Manavgat Waterfall is located just a few kilometres north of Side on the Manavgat River. It is a wide, low waterfall rather than a dramatic drop, but the setting — with tea gardens and restaurants built along the riverbank — is genuinely pleasant and makes an easy addition to a Side day trip. Follow signs from the D400 to Manavgat Şelale. Allow an hour including a riverside tea or lunch.

Seleucia Ancient City

Less visited than Side but equally interesting, Seleucia is a Hellenistic and Roman city set on a forested hillside about 15 kilometres north of Side. The ruins are largely unexcavated and atmospheric — collapsed columns, ancient cisterns and sections of city wall visible through the pine trees. Entry is free and the site is rarely crowded. A short detour on the way back to Belek.

Sorgun Beach and Titreyengöl

On the drive back toward Belek, the area around Sorgun and Titreyengöl offers some of the best undeveloped beach on this stretch of coast. Titreyengöl — which means “trembling lake” — is a lagoon separated from the sea by a narrow strip of sand, popular with windsurfers and paddleboarders. A good spot for a late afternoon swim before returning to Belek.

Practical Information for the Drive

Distance: Approximately 35 km from central Belek to Side old town.

Drive time: 35 to 45 minutes each way on the D400.

Parking: Main car park at the entrance to the Side peninsula. Small fee payable. Arrive early in peak season.

Best time to visit: Early morning for the ruins, late afternoon for the Temple of Apollo at sunset. Avoid midday in July and August.

Entry fees: Combined ticket for the theatre, museum and archaeological zone costs around 300 Turkish lira per person.

Fuel: Fill up in Belek before you leave — there is no need to stop for fuel on this short journey.

Hiring a Car in Belek for the Side Drive

A hire car is by far the most convenient way to get from Belek to Side. Taxis are available but expensive for a round trip, and the public dolmuş service — while it does run — involves changes and does not drop you at the old town entrance.

Belcarhi delivers your hire car to your hotel in Belek at whatever time suits you — no deposit, no credit card required and no airport queues. All vehicles include full CASCO insurance with zero franchise. An economy car is perfectly suited to the Belek to Side drive — the D400 is flat, well-surfaced and straightforward to navigate. A convertible makes the coastal drive particularly enjoyable on a clear day.

To book your hire car in Belek, contact Kadir Can by WhatsApp or phone: +90 507 650 67 69

Belek to Side – Drive Summary