{"id":2129,"date":"2026-04-05T12:26:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T12:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.awaikenthemes.com\/novaride\/?p=2129"},"modified":"2026-05-02T22:24:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T22:24:33","slug":"belek-to-side-by-car-the-coastal-drive-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/2026\/04\/05\/belek-to-side-by-car-the-coastal-drive-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Belek to Side by Car \u2013 The Coastal Drive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Belek to Side by Car \u2013 The Coastal Drive Guide<\/h1>\n
Side is one of the most rewarding day trips you can make from Belek. An ancient Greco-Roman port city built on a small peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean, it combines genuine archaeological wonders with excellent beaches, a lively restaurant scene and one of the most photographed sunsets on the Turkish Riviera. The drive from Belek is straightforward, the road hugs the coastline for much of the way and the whole journey takes under an hour \u2014 making Side the ideal destination for a relaxed half-day or a full day out.<\/p>\n

How Far Is Side from Belek?<\/h2>\n

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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

The Route from Belek to Side<\/h2>\n

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 Titreyeng\u00f6l and Sorgun. After around 30 kilometres you will see signs for Side \u2014 turn right at the main junction and follow the road south down the peninsula into the old town.<\/p>\n

The approach road into Side runs between two beaches \u2014 Do\u011fu Plaj\u0131 to the left and Bat\u0131 Plaj\u0131 to the right \u2014 before arriving at the main car park at the entrance to the old town peninsula. Leave your car here and explore on foot.<\/p>\n

Driving tip:<\/strong> 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 \u2014 arrive before 10am to be sure of a space.<\/p>\n

What to See in Side<\/h2>\n

The Temple of Apollo<\/h3>\n

The Temple of Apollo is the defining image of Side \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Side Theatre<\/h3>\n

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 \u2014 an extraordinary juxtaposition of ancient and contemporary. Entrance is included in the same ticket as the museum.<\/p>\n

Side Museum<\/h3>\n

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 \u2014 particularly the sculptures \u2014 is very high. The building itself is as interesting as the collection.<\/p>\n

The Colonnaded Street and City Gate<\/h3>\n

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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Side Beaches<\/h3>\n

Side has two excellent beaches running along either side of the peninsula. Bat\u0131 Plaj\u0131 \u2014 the western beach \u2014 is the longer of the two and backed by hotels and beach clubs. Do\u011fu Plaj\u0131 \u2014 the eastern beach \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

The Ancient Harbour<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Where to Eat in Side<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 particularly at sunset.<\/p>\n

Combining Side With Other Stops<\/h2>\n

Manavgat Waterfall<\/h3>\n

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 \u2014 with tea gardens and restaurants built along the riverbank \u2014 is genuinely pleasant and makes an easy addition to a Side day trip. Follow signs from the D400 to Manavgat \u015eelale. Allow an hour including a riverside tea or lunch.<\/p>\n

Seleucia Ancient City<\/h3>\n

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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Sorgun Beach and Titreyeng\u00f6l<\/h3>\n

On the drive back toward Belek, the area around Sorgun and Titreyeng\u00f6l offers some of the best undeveloped beach on this stretch of coast. Titreyeng\u00f6l \u2014 which means “trembling lake” \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Practical Information for the Drive<\/h2>\n

Distance:<\/strong> Approximately 35 km from central Belek to Side old town.<\/p>\n

Drive time:<\/strong> 35 to 45 minutes each way on the D400.<\/p>\n

Parking:<\/strong> Main car park at the entrance to the Side peninsula. Small fee payable. Arrive early in peak season.<\/p>\n

Best time to visit:<\/strong> Early morning for the ruins, late afternoon for the Temple of Apollo at sunset. Avoid midday in July and August.<\/p>\n

Entry fees:<\/strong> Combined ticket for the theatre, museum and archaeological zone costs around 300 Turkish lira per person.<\/p>\n

Fuel:<\/strong> Fill up in Belek before you leave \u2014 there is no need to stop for fuel on this short journey.<\/p>\n

Hiring a Car in Belek for the Side Drive<\/h2>\n

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 dolmu\u015f service \u2014 while it does run \u2014 involves changes and does not drop you at the old town entrance.<\/p>\n

Belcarhi delivers your hire car to your hotel in Belek at whatever time suits you \u2014 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 \u2014 the D400 is flat, well-surfaced and straightforward to navigate. A convertible makes the coastal drive particularly enjoyable on a clear day.<\/p>\n

To book your hire car in Belek, contact Kadir Can by WhatsApp or phone: +90 507 650 67 69<\/strong><\/p>\n

Belek to Side \u2013 Drive Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Detail<\/th>\nInformation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Distance<\/td>\n~35 km<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drive time<\/td>\n35\u201345 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Route<\/td>\nD400 eastbound, then south to Side peninsula<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Parking<\/td>\nMain car park at peninsula entrance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Must-see<\/td>\nTemple of Apollo, theatre, museum, harbour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best combined with<\/td>\nManavgat Waterfall, Seleucia, Sorgun Beach<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/article>\n

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Belek to Side by Car \u2013 The Coastal Drive Guide Side is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2,4,5],"class_list":["post-2129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-businesstravel","tag-travel","tag-travelplanning"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2129","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2129"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2129\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9169,"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2129\/revisions\/9169"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.belekcarhire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}