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Ancient City of Side

Ancient City of Side

Highlight • Historical Site

Ancient City of Side

Recommended by 44 hikers out of 45

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Location: Turkey

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Best Hikes to Ancient City of Side

4.8

(156)

1,167

hikers

1. Side Beach Promenade – Ancient City of Side loop from Yalı

10.3km

02:38

40m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.8

(54)

433

hikers

2. Side Beach Promenade – Ancient City of Side loop from Selimiye

8.77km

02:14

30m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.8

(45)

335

hikers

3. Temple of Apollo (Side) – Side Harbor loop from Selimiye

5.31km

01:24

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Stephan N

August 10, 2025

Ancient Side lies on a flat peninsula with harbor facilities at its tip. Ancient traditions suggest that Side was founded around the 7th century BC. The most significant ruins date from the Roman era, the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Other important buildings were built when Side became a bishopric in the 5th or 6th century. The city was probably abandoned in the 10th century. An earthquake destroyed many structures.
Side is one of the oldest cities on Turkey's southern coast. It is believed that the peninsula was first settled as early as the 2nd millennium BC. The city's name comes from an ancient Anatolian language and means "pomegranate" (Turkish: Nar). The pomegranate also adorns coins minted from the 5th century BC onwards.
Due to the expansion of the port, Side rose to become a wealthy and important trading metropolis with around 40,000 inhabitants during the Hellenistic period. At the beginning of the 1st century, the city fathers came to terms with the Cilician pirates, and Side became an important slave market. The income from the slave market was permanently lost after Pompey put an end to piracy in 67 BC.
Later in history, the city flourished as part of the Roman province of Pamphilia and experienced a period of prosperity until the middle of the 3rd century AD. The wealth of this period is evidenced by lavish buildings, temples, and grand avenues. These buildings still characterize the image of the ancient city today. However, the inner city wall, for example, testifies to the fact that the period of peace was relatively short-lived.
With the collapse of the Roman Empire, Side also experienced its decline. The silting of the harbor contributed to this, in particular. A large part of the city was abandoned and people retreated to the urban area within the walls. It wasn't until the 5th and 6th centuries that people settled outside the city walls again. In particular, the up-and-coming Antalya surpassed Side.
At the time of the Arab raids in the 7th century AD, many residents migrated to Antalya. From then on, the once magnificent city fell silent. In the 11th century, the city once again made headlines as a pirate den, but sand dunes soon covered the ruins.
Source:
tuerkei-antik.de/Tempel/geschichte_side_apollon.htm

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Subaia

July 9, 2025

There are many old city remnants to marvel at. Some of the exposed remains of the walls are under glass. But many new houses have also been built, beautiful but not old. You'll need plenty of time to admire all the side streets. Plenty of shops for everything your heart desires.

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Papa Outdoor

September 29, 2025

Worth seeing

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Informations

Elevation 40 m

Weather

Monday 19 January

16°C

4°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

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Location: Turkey

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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Ancient City of Side

1. Side Beach Promenade – Ancient City of Side loop from Yalı

2. Side Beach Promenade – Ancient City of Side loop from Selimiye

3. Temple of Apollo (Side) – Side Harbor loop from Selimiye

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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