Side is a rare Turkish resort where you can walk from your sun lounger to an ancient temple. But in July, the stones of the ancient city get so hot that it's almost impossible to walk around it during the day.

Most Turkish resorts follow a simple formula: hotel, beach, sea. Side doesn't work like that. The resort grew up around an ancient city, and its old centre, with colonnades, a theatre and temples on the shore, stands right in the middle of the tourist zone.

The Turkish media call Side one of the most visited ancient cities in the country. So when choosing when to go, it's worth considering not only the sea temperature but also how pleasant it will be to walk among the ruins.

The Swimming Season: May to October

People start swimming in Side in May, when the water warms to 21–23°C and daytime temperatures are 24–28°C. The bravest go in as early as the second half of April, but the water then is around 20°C.

The full beach season runs from June to early October. In June the sea is 24–26°C, with daytime temperatures around 29–33°C. From June to September there's almost no rain, and humidity is low.

Side's beaches are sandy. The West Beach has a gentle slope into the water and long shallows, making it convenient for children. The areas of Kumköy, Evrenseki and Çolaklı have plenty of family hotels, while in Sorgun and Titreyengöl the beaches are surrounded by pine groves.

July and August: A Warm Sea, but a Hot Town

The heat peaks in July and August: 32–37°C by day, around 20–24°C at night, with the water at 27–29°C. For the beach, this is the warmest sea of the year, but also the most expensive time: hotel prices are at their highest in these months and in the first half of September.

For walks around the ancient city, midsummer is the worst time. The stones, marble and open squares heat up, and there's little shade. In June 2026, when it was over 40°C in Antalya, tourists flocked to the ruins in the evening.

The Night Museum: How to See the Ruins in Summer

To let tourists see Side without the exhausting heat, the ancient city also opens in the evening. In 2026 this format was in its third season, and the route for evening walks was extended. The illuminated colonnades and temples at sunset have become one of the resort's main attractions.

If you're going to Side in summer, plan your walk around the old town for the evening. During the day, it's better to stay on the beach or by the pool.

September: The Best Time for Everything

September is the velvet season, the mellow tail end of summer. It's 31°C by day and 18–21°C at night, while the sea stays very warm, at 24–28°C. The heat eases, the evenings become pleasant, and there are fewer children on the beaches once the school year starts.

If you want the most reliable period, travel websites advise aiming for September 5–25: the sea is still summery, and walks around the ruins are no longer an ordeal.

October and November: Excursions and a Warm Sea

In October it's 26°C by day, with the water at 22–25°C. You can still swim, but there can be rain in the second half of the month. On the other hand, it's one of the best times for excursions, and hotel prices are lower than in summer.

In November it's around 22°C by day and 10–12°C at night. The sea is still around 19–22°C, for hardier swimmers. It's a good month for trips to the ruins and to neighbouring ancient cities.

Winter and Spring: A Quiet Side

From December to March, Side is cool: 14–16°C by day and 5–7°C at night. December and January are the wettest months, with strong winds and storms. Many beach hotels close for the winter, but prices at those that stay open are at their lowest.

Spring is the time for excursions. From March it's 16–19°C by day, and in April around 21°C: ideal for long walks without the heat.

What to See in Side and Nearby

The ancient city itself lies on a headland, and you can walk around almost all the main sights:

  • The Temples of Apollo and Athena. They stand side by side right on the seashore. The Temple of Athena has been restored, with several of its original columns re-erected. It's especially beautiful here at sunset.

  • The ancient theatre. A large Roman-era theatre in the centre of the old town.

  • The Side Museum. Housed in an ancient Roman bathhouse, it holds sculptures and finds from the excavations.

Side is a convenient base for excursions:

  • Manavgat Waterfall — best from April to June and in September and October.

  • The Green Canyon — May, June, September and October.

  • Aspendos, with its well-preserved ancient theatre — about an hour's drive away, and best in spring and autumn.

  • Rafting on the Köprülü River — from May to June and from September to early October.

How to Choose a Month to Go

If the sea is your main goal and you cope well with heat, July and August will suit you; just save the old town for the evening. If you want to combine the beach with walks around the ruins, choose June or September.

For sightseeing without the heat, April, May, October and November are best. And Side is cheapest from November to March, but only if you're prepared for cool weather and closed beach hotels.

Bring comfortable shoes: the ancient city means marble, stones and uneven paths. In summer, a hat, water and sunscreen are essential, and in winter a windproof jacket, as there's often a wind off the sea here.