Originally Side is an old harbor. The city is located on a 300 meter wide and 800 meter long promontory. If you walk from top to bottom through the main street to the harbor, you will see the sea on both sides through the narrow streets of Side. The old town has retained much of its ancient character including its architecture and archaeological sites. Side is the only ancient city on the Turkish south coast that has been systematically excavated. The harbor used to be a slave market and a center for piracy. The city enjoyed prosperity under the Roman Empire and most of the monuments date from that time. In the 10th century, Side was abandoned after a fire. The existing city dates back to the early 20th century when exiles from Crete (Greek-speaking Muslims) settled there. A large part of the former city and its stadium is probably still under the beach.

Interesting sights in Side:

Side Theater (seats up to 20,000 spectators)

Nymphaeum

Aqueduct

Agora

State Agora (Library)

Great Therme

City wall

Apollon / Artemis Temple, with a Byzantine church

Basilica and Bishop's Palace

Side Museum in the Agora Therme