The Temple of Apollo

In 67 BC, the Roman general Pompey brought Side under the control of Rome, marking the beginning of its second period of ascendancy. Side became a major commercial center in Asia Minor through its trade in olive oil and established itself as a slave-trading center in the Mediterranean.

Despite a brief revival in the fifth and sixth centuries, the city was abandoned by the tenth century. Its citizens migrated to nearby Antalya, and Side became known as Eski Adalia or Old Antalya, ultimately becoming buried. Today, it's a breezy and pleasant place with souvenir and traditional craft shops, as well as restaurants and bars scattered throughout the old city. The city also boasts beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters.

Side serves as an excellent base to explore the ancient sites of Perge and Aspendos. Additionally, there are several noteworthy historic sites within the city, including the Side Archaeological Museum, Side Theatre, and the Temple of Apollo & Athena.

The city of Side, in the region of Manavgat, is situated on a small north-south peninsula about a kilometer long and 400 meters across. A curious mix of modern tourism and ancient sights, Side was founded by the Greeks in the seventh century BC and is said to have been a covert meeting place for Antony and Cleopatra. Alexander the Great occupied Side in 333 BC, introducing the people of Side to the Hellenistic culture that flourished from the fourth to the first centuries BC.