Side holidays combine beach days and sightseeing with an ancient Old Town that's still at the heart of the resort. Just a four-hour flight from the UK to Antalya Airport, followed by an hour transfer, Side is a top choice for Turkey holidays on the Antalya coast. It's ideal for both couples and families thanks to its fantastic selection of All Inclusive hotels, long holiday season and budget-friendly accommodation — and it's a firm favourite among Thomas Cook holidaymakers, with over 2,000 of you choosing this stretch of coast last year.
Known for its ancient ruins right in the town centre, sweeping beaches, and warm Mediterranean waters, Side suits both relaxed All Inclusive stays and those keen to explore a bit of history along the way. A 7-night trip is the most popular choice, giving a good balance of beach time and sightseeing. July is the peak month to travel, with September and June also popular for slightly cooler, quieter alternatives. Our customers typically jet off from London Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted, all with direct flights to get you there faster.
Hotels that our customers regularly return to include Side Crown Serenity Ultra All Inclusive, Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection, and Asteria Collection Side (formerly Labranda Excelsior). Holidays typically start from around £904pp, dropping to roughly £536pp over winter, or from about £985pp during peak summer. As always, your package booking is ATOL-protected, with a low deposit to get your trip confirmed.
Why choose Side?
If you want more than a fly-and-flop beach holiday, Side is hard to beat. The Roman Old Town sits between two long stretches of sand, so you can spend the morning exploring the Temple of Apollo and ancient amphitheatre before heading to East Beach or West Beach in the afternoon. Beyond the historic centre, you’ll find one of Turkey’s biggest concentrations of All Inclusive hotels, with resort areas ranging from the lively promenade around Kumköy to the quieter shores of Sorgun and Titreyengöl. Add a flight of around four hours from the UK and a season that runs from May to October, and it’s easy to see why Side package holidays appeal to families, couples and groups.
Side All Inclusive holidays
Side is one of the Mediterranean’s biggest destinations for All Inclusive holidays, with many of its largest resorts found just outside the Roman Old Town. Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kumköy and Çolaklı. These resorts have a great choice of beachfront hotels, adults-only escapes and family resorts with waterparks and kids’ clubs. Staying outside the historic centre gives you access to bigger hotel facilities, while the beaches and harbour are only a short bus or taxi ride away. Take a look at our Side All Inclusive holidays to find a stay that works for you.
Family holidays in Side
Side is a popular choice for family holidays, thanks to its short transfer, sandy beaches and wide range of All Inclusive resorts. Sorgun, Titreyengöl and Çolaklı are home to many of the area’s larger family resorts, with waterparks, kids’ clubs and spacious pools. The transfer from Antalya Airport takes around an hour, so you can get into holiday mode sooner. While the gently sloping beaches give children heaps of room to paddle and play. Check out our Side All Inclusive holidays.
Couples & adults-only holidays in Side
Side’s Old Town has something many beach resorts don’t – ancient streets, a chic harbour and the Temple of Apollo just steps from the sea. Spend the day on the beach before finding a waterfront taverna as the sun sets over the ruins. If you’d rather unwind at your hotel, Side also has an excellent choice of adults-only All Inclusive resorts.
Cheap & last-minute holidays to Side
With so many All Inclusive resorts to choose from, Side has options for everything from budget-friendly breaks to premium stays. Kumköy, Çolaklı, Sorgun and Titreyengöl all have a broad mix of hotels, so you’ll usually have more options if your travel dates are flexible. Booking ahead is the best way to secure your preferred hotel during the school holidays, while last minute holidays can be a good choice if you’re open to travelling on different dates. Check out our Side All Inclusive holidays to compare your options.
Where to stay in Side
Side’s resort areas stretch east and west from the Old Town. Head east through Sorgun forest to Titreyengöl lake, or follow the coastline west through Kumköy, Evrenseki and Çolaklı before reaching Gündoğdu, with each area offering a different style of holiday.
Side Town & Old Town
Best for: First-time visitors, couples and sightseeing
If you’d rather wander out to dinner than rely on buses or taxis, Side Town is the place to stay. The pedestrianised historic quarter sits on a peninsula between two sandy beaches, with the Temple of Apollo, Roman amphitheatre, harbour and waterfront tavernas all within a few minutes’ walk. Smaller hotels are more common here but you’ll also find larger All Inclusive resorts outside the centre. Once you’re here, most of Side Town is yours to explore on foot.
Sorgun
Best for: Families and premium All Inclusive holidays
East of the Old Town, Sorgun stretches through pine forest before reaching the beach. Many of Side’s larger upscale All Inclusive resorts are here, with spacious grounds and direct access to the sand. It feels more tucked away than staying in the centre, but the heart of Side is a 25-minute walk along the coast, or even shorter if you hop on a bus.
Titreyengöl
Best for: Families wanting a resort-style stay
Beyond Sorgun, Titreyengöl sits around its namesake lake and the pace of life feels even slower. Home to large village-style All Inclusive hotels, families will happily spend most days enjoying the many onsite facilities such as waterparks and kids’ clubs. It’s also the furthest of Side’s eastern resort areas from the Old Town.
Kumköy
Best for: Mixed holidays, value and a livelier setting
If you like having the beach, cafés and shops close together, Kumköy makes a lot of sense. It marks the start of Side’s western resort strip, which continues through Evrenseki and Çolaklı. The beach promenade, cafés and nearby shopping centres mean there’s usually lots going on, with accommodation ranging from good-value hotels to larger All Inclusive resorts.
Evrenseki
Best for: Value holidays with a quieter pace
Evrenseki continues west from Kumköy along the same stretch of coastline, where the atmosphere becomes a little more laid-back. Almost every place to stay is All Inclusive, with fewer local bars and restaurants than you’ll find further east. The long sandy beach remains the biggest draw, and it’s easy to catch one of the regular local buses into Side Town.
Çolaklı
Best for: Family beach holidays
Çolaklı sits at the western end of the resort strip, where sweeping beaches replace the busier promenade around Kumköy. Family-focused All Inclusive resorts dominate, making this a good match if your holiday revolves around the hotel and beach. Although it’s further from the Old Town, it’s well connected by regular local buses.
Gündoğdu
Best for: Peaceful, good-value holidays
Around 12km west of Side, Gündoğdu marks the end of the resort strip. Resort-style All Inclusive hotels create a quieter feel than elsewhere in Side, where beach and pool days take centre stage. It’s also the closest of Side’s main resort areas to Antalya Airport.
Best Side holidays by type
All Inclusive holidays in Side
Side is one of Turkey’s strongest All Inclusive destinations, with everything from family resorts to adults-only hotels. Check out our Side All Inclusive holidays.
Family holidays in Side
Gentle sandy beaches, splash pools and kids’ clubs make Side a hit with families. Around an hour after landing, you could already be relaxing by the pool. Explore family holidays in Turkey.
Couples & adults-only holidays in Side
Waterfront dining, Roman ruins and adults-only hotels give Side a different feel from beach resorts alone. See our adults-only holidays.
Luxury Side holidays
Luxury holidays in Side give you another level of comfort, from stylish spas to restaurants worth dressing up for. Take a look at our luxury holidays in Turkey.
Cheap & last-minute Side holidays
Side’s huge choice of hotels means it’s always worth a look if you’re hoping to make your budget go further. See our cheap holidays to Side.
Self Catering holidays in Side
Self Catering suits anyone who’d rather eat out than stick to the hotel restaurant, and it's this freedom to explore the Old Town's restaurants that makes Self Catering holidays in Side such a popular choice.
Side vs other resorts
If you’re comparing Antalya holidays, Side is one of the few places where an ancient Old Town, Roman ruins and two sandy beaches all sit within a few minutes of each other. Belek is better known for luxury resorts and golf, while Lara is centred on large beachfront hotels. Alanya has a busier nightlife, whereas Side leaves just as much room for evenings around the harbour as afternoons by the sea. If Greece holidays are also on your shortlist, Rhodes, Crete and Kos offer a similar blend of beaches and history, but Side often stands out for value and its choice of All Inclusive hotels.
More Travel Guides
We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Alanya | Antalya | Beldibi | Belek | Bodrum | Dalaman | Goynuk | Istanbul | Izmir | Kemer | Konakli | Lara Beach
