Side

Located 45 minutes to the east of Antalya airport, Side is a relaxed, family-friendly coastal resort. Our Turkish resort guide to Side should cover everything you need to know.

On the Mediterranean coast, Side has a pretty seafront and harbour area. There are gorgeous beaches and a plethora of Greek and Roman ruins. There is so much on offer for those days out when you aren’t bronzing by the pool.

The countryside is verdant and fertile, thanks to the proximity of the nearby River Manavgat. Furthermore, the town of Manavgat has some spectacular waterfalls which are well worth a visit and is very instagrammable!

Who buys property in Side?

The area is very popular with a number of international buyers including British, German and Scandinavian. The family-friendly aspect of the resort has huge appeal. It isn’t too sprawling or noisy, and families feel safe on the charming beach and in the town.

What is the appeal?

With lovely beaches, a historic harbour, waterfront bars and restaurants and cobbled streets, Side is the ideal coastal town. With the dramatic backdrop of the Taurus mountain range, and located just 45 minutes from Antalya Airport, it is the perfect combination. What’s more, for golfers, the award-winning golf course at Belek is a short distance away.

The area has benefitted from major investment, including a wonderfully-long promenade which has made it much easier to stroll between the little villages along the coastline. Revolting buildings from the 1980s have been replaced with slick, fashionable waterfront restaurants and there are a number of 4 and 5 star hotels in development.

Regulations stipulate that no new-builds can be over four storeys. This protects the coastline from being dwarfed by vast developments, and will help Side to retain its’ charm and family-friendly appeal.

Typical properties in the area include apartments within easy reach of the coast, 3-4 bedroom villas on developments with their own garden and shared facilities. International buyers don’t tend to settle in the centre of the town, but will prefer a property within easy reach of the town and beaches. Smaller villages along the coast, like Ilica, are also attractive for foreign property buyers.

Like many towns along the rugged coastline of Turkey, a peninsula splits the beaches into two.

The ‘west end’ is more developed than the east, with hotel resorts and private stretches of beach.  The east beach is preferred by the locals – quieter, stonier and without as many amenities.

Further beaches are a short walk or taxi drive away at Colakli, Sorgun and Kumkoy.

For property buyers wanting to benefit from being close to Side but away from the more tourist areas, there are several villages within 10-15 kms which might suit.

Illica is a friendy Turkish village which is about 10 minutes’ drive west of Side. It connects with the family-friendly pedestrianised seafront of Kumkoy. This is an area very popular with holiday home owners, and a good place to buy a property for letting to holidaymakers. Kumkoy has seen significant investment over the last few years.

Drive further west again and you will come across Colakli. This village has its own beach as well as shops and services, but also a large holiday park which offers other facilities including a pool, gym, restaurant and bar.

Evrenski, close to Colakli, has a beautiful beach. You will also find a small marina, watersports and restaurants. For those wanting to buy somewhere with good access to fishing or boating, Evrenski is a good choice.

It’s worth remembering that with all of the villages we’ve mentioned here, they sit in between the dramatic Taurus mountains and the coastline. Elevated properties have amazing views of both the Mediterranean and the mountains.