Side 3-Day Itinerary — Hour by Hour
The best split for 3 days in Side: day 1 ancient Side, day 2 Manavgat Waterfall and Green Canyon, day 3 rafting in Köprülü Canyon. Entrance fees across the three days come to roughly €55–75, including the boat and rafting tours.
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Based in Side, this three-day route balances ancient heritage, the waters around Manavgat and a day of adventure in the Taurus. Every stop is within an hour of Side.
Day 1 — Ancient Side
Start at the theatre before the heat, spend the afternoon on the beach, and close the day watching the sunset at the Temple of Apollo. The whole day is walkable.
| Time | Stop | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Side Ancient Theatre — at opening, for shade and quiet | 45 min – 1 hr | €7 |
| 09:15 | Colonnaded street and the ancient city gates — a short walk from the theatre | 1 hr | Free |
| 10:30 | Old town bazaar — leather, jewellery and souvenir lanes | 1 hr | Free |
| 12:00 | Lunch at the harbour and swimming at Side beach | 4 hrs | — |
| 18:00 | Temple of Apollo — the best hour for sunset | 30–45 min | Free |
Day 2 — The waters of Manavgat
Order matters today: Green Canyon boats leave between 09:00 and 10:00, so visiting the waterfall after the tour makes for a far calmer schedule.
| Time | Stop | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Dolmuş from Side to Manavgat — every 10–15 minutes all day | 20 min | — |
| 09:00 | Green Canyon boat tour — 20 minutes from central Manavgat to the dam | Half day | €30–45 |
| 15:30 | Manavgat Waterfall — riverside tea gardens | 1 – 1.5 hrs | €1–2 |
| 17:00 | Manavgat town bazaar, or trout by the river | 2 hrs | — |
Day 3 — Taurus adventure
Rafting if you want adrenaline, an underground lake if you want a calm day. Both are available as tours with hotel transfer from Side.
| Time | Stop | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Köprülü Canyon rafting — about 50 minutes from Side, transfer included | Full day | €15–25 |
| — | Alternative: Altınbeşik Cave — a 45-minute mountain road from Manavgat | 1.5 – 2 hrs | €5–8 |
| 13:00 | Lunch by the canyon (usually included with rafting tours) | 1 hr | — |
| 16:00 | Back to the hotel; a final dinner at Side harbour | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Side?
Yes. Three days covers ancient Side, the water routes around Manavgat and one Taurus excursion at a relaxed pace. With four or more days you can add Aspendos and Perge.
Do I need a hire car for this itinerary?
No. Day 1 is entirely on foot and day 2 works by dolmuş. The day 3 rafting tours include hotel transfer. Only the Altınbeşik alternative needs a car or a jeep safari.
What do the three days cost in total?
Entrance fees and tours come to roughly €52–67: theatre €7, Green Canyon tour €30–45, waterfall €1–2, rafting €15–25. The Temple of Apollo and the bazaar are free.