Holidays in Side from Astana (Turkey): tours

A holiday in Side from Astana means a flight with one stopover in Istanbul, about 8–10 hours in transit, and a season from April to October. In summer the water warms up to +28 °C, the air — to +35 °C.

What to consider when choosing a hotel in Side?

A trip here begins with the right district and type of beach. A hotel here is chosen by three parameters: the shore, the distance from the centre and the meal format.

Beaches: sand in the east, pebbles in the west

Sandy beaches await tours to Side in the east of the resort area. Kumköy and Çolaklı are fine sand and a gentle entry into the sea, which is convenient for families with small children. The western beaches, closer to the Old Town, are pebbly, and without special water shoes it is uncomfortable there. Turkey in this region gives different water near the shore: in the east it comes in more softly, in the west the depth starts abruptly. If you are travelling with a child, choose the eastern districts. For adults who like clear water and fewer people, the west will suit. Side is a resort where the shore determines half of the impressions from the trip.

Districts of the resort area and their features

The resort area is divided into five parts, and each dictates its own rhythm of rest. The Old Town is ancient ruins next to the hotel, boutique hotels and noisy promenades. Kumköy and Çolaklı are sandy beaches, large all-inclusive hotels and nightlife until morning. Gündoğdu and Evrenseki are quiet green districts away from the crowds, where holidays are cheaper and calmer.

Most hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis. In the Old Town there are many boutique hotels with room only, and then food is counted separately. Turkish cuisine in local cafes will cost less than dinners at the hotel à la carte.

How to get to Side from Antalya airport?

The journey takes about 70–80 km along the D400 highway. Travel time depends on traffic on the highway and the number of stops along the route.

Group and private transfer

A group transfer to Side is cheaper, but includes waiting for fellow travellers and stops at other hotels. A private transfer costs more, but takes you without stops straight to your hotel. For a family of three or four people, the price difference is often worth the time. Tours to Side usually include a group transfer, while a private one is ordered separately. A night arrival is better met by a personal driver. Turkey receives flights around the clock, but few people want to wait for a bus at three in the morning.

Car rental and trips around the surroundings

A rental car gives freedom for trips to the Manavgat waterfalls and Köprülü Canyon. In the Old Town parking is limited and the streets are narrow, so a car is more convenient with a hotel in Kumköy or Çolaklı. A Kazakh-style driving licence is suitable for renting from international rental companies. Fuel costs less than bus excursions if you travel as a group. Side stands away from the main highways, so a navigator is essential. Leaving the car overnight at a hotel in the centre is a separate paid option.

What to do on a holiday in Side

Boat trips, water sports and outings to natural attractions. Activities are booked separately from the package.

Boat trips along the Manavgat river

Boat excursions along the Manavgat river and to the waterfall are a separate expense item. Turkey offers such trips with lunch on board and swimming at the mouth. The programme lasts about six hours, usually starting in the morning. Side is connected to the river by a canal, so boats pick up tourists right from the sea pier. The waterfall is low but noisy, and there is a cafe with a view nearby. Take a hat and water, there is little shade on deck. Children handle such a trip easily if you take them a snack.

Rafting, diving and day trips

Rafting on the Köprüçay river and Köprülü Canyon are the most popular day trips. The departure is early, the return is by dinner, the journey takes a couple of hours one way. Diving and snorkelling are offered by local centres; no certificate is needed for a trial dive. Briefings are conducted in Russian or English, groups are small. The cost depends on the number of dives and the included lunch. Turkey in this area gives visibility of up to twenty metres near rocky sections. Such activities are not suitable for people with heart and ear problems.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the MFA of the Republic of Turkey, https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa. The information on this page was verified on 18.09.2026.

What to know about money and everyday little things

Payments, purchases and small everyday matters are settled before leaving the hotel. Some expenses are more convenient to plan in advance.

Currency, ATMs and commissions

Dollars and euros are accepted more readily in hotels and shops than liras. Change may be given in liras at an unfavourable rate. ATMs in the tourist area dispense liras, and for a withdrawal with a Kazakh card both the ATM and the issuing bank charge a commission. Large sums are better exchanged at Manavgat exchange offices, where the rate is fairer. Cards are used in large hotels and supermarkets, in small shops — cash only. Turkey loves bargaining, and at the market the price with a card is usually higher. Keep small change for tips and travel.

Shopping, water and insurance

The markets of Side trade in textiles, leather goods and sweets, and bargaining is appropriate here. Prices in tourist shops are noticeably higher than in Manavgat, so for serious purchases people go there. Drinking tap water in hotels is not recommended; bottled water is bought in supermarkets or at the bar. Medical insurance is mandatory for booking a tour, but an extended policy covering activities is arranged separately. Turkey accepts such policies without problems if they cover diving and rafting. A first-aid kit with basic medicines is enough for most cases.

How to get around the city and surroundings

Public transport connects Side with neighbouring villages. Inside the Old Town it is more convenient to walk.

Dolmuşes and schedules

Dolmuşes connect Side with Manavgat and neighbouring villages. The schedule depends on the season and ends early in the evening; after sunset there are almost no services. The fare is paid in cash to the driver; cards are not accepted. Stops are poorly marked, so the route is checked with locals. Turkey in the resort area relies on such minibuses rather than large buses. For a trip to Manavgat this is the cheapest way. In the evening it is better to return by taxi.

Narrow streets of the Old Town

In the Old Town there are narrow streets and stairs, and rolling suitcases over cobblestones is inconvenient. Some hotels do not have a lift, and rooms are located on the upper floors. Taxis do not go inside the historical part; the car is left at the entrance to the quarter. It is more convenient to move around the centre on foot; the distance between the ruins and the promenade is small. Shoes are needed without heels, the stones are slippery after rain. Turkey in this area has preserved the old layout, and this is part of the impression.

In short

• Look for sandy beaches in the east of the resort area, pebbly ones — in the west.
• The Old Town suits couples, Kumköy — families and young people.
• The journey from Antalya airport takes about an hour or a little more.
• Boats along the Manavgat and rafting are booked separately from the package.
• Dollars and euros are accepted more readily, change is given in liras.