Side or Alanya? Which Base to Choose
Stay in Side if the ancient city is the point — the Roman theatre and the Temple of Apollo are a walk from the beach, and Manavgat Waterfall, Green Canyon and Aspendos are all within 35 km. Stay in Alanya for a bigger town, a longer sandy beach and the castle headland. The two are 66 km apart (about 52 minutes), so whichever you pick, the other is an easy day trip.
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Side and Alanya side by side
| Side | Alanya | |
|---|---|---|
| In the town itself | Roman theatre, Temple of Apollo, Saturday market | Castle headland, Red Tower, Damlataş Cave, Cleopatra Beach |
| Beach | Sandy beaches either side of the old town | Cleopatra Beach — a long golden-sand beach in the centre |
| Attractions in this guide within 35 km | 5 | 4 |
| Aspendos Theatre | 34 km · 32 min | 95 km · 1 h 12 min |
| Green Canyon | 21 km · 35 min | 82 km · 1 h 16 min |
| Manavgat Waterfall | 7 km · 10 min | 61 km · 47 min |
| Kaleiçi Old Town | 75 km · 1 h 5 min | 135 km · 1 h 46 min |
Choose Side if:
- you want to sleep inside an ancient city — the theatre and Temple of Apollo are a walk from the beach
- the Manavgat river and waterfall (7 km) and Green Canyon (21 km) are on your list
- you want Aspendos (34 km) and Perge (60 km) within reach of a morning
- you prefer a small resort you can cross on foot
Choose Alanya if:
- you want a full-sized town: more restaurants, shops and nightlife
- a long sandy beach in the centre matters more than ruins on the doorstep
- the castle headland, Red Tower and Damlataş Cave are all walkable from the centre
- you do not mind that Antalya's sights are about 135 km away
Can you visit one from the other?
Easily. It is 66 km along the coast road, about 52 minutes by car and a little over an hour by dolmuş with stops. A day trip in either direction works, and many visitors staying in Side spend a day at Alanya Castle.
Frequently asked questions
Is Side or Alanya better for a holiday?
It depends on what you want from the town. Side is small and built around a Roman theatre and the Temple of Apollo, with Manavgat Waterfall 7 km away and Aspendos 34 km. Alanya is a full-sized town with a long central beach, a castle headland and more nightlife, but Antalya's sights are around 135 km away.
How far is Alanya from Side?
66 km along the coast road, about 52 minutes by car.