Side Beach Guide

Side’s two main beaches stretch for more than three kilometres of golden sand on either side of the Old Town, which sits on a small 800m-long and 300m-wide peninsula. Nearby Alanya also offers great beaches.

Side’s West Beach – Unwind on the soft golden sand of this long beach that shelves into shallow water perfect for small children. Several beach clubs and luxury hotels fringe the beach and provide facilities such as parasols and sun loungers for hire.

A choice of beachside bars, cafes and restaurants are just a short stroll away. Water sports facilities include parasailing, jet skiing, windsurfing and banana boating as well as scuba diving, fishing and boat tours. Come for a day or stay longer at one of the beach’s 5-star hotels, such as the Hemera Resort & Spa, Melas Hotel or Asteria Hotel.

Side’s East Beach – Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on this 3km-long golden-sand beach that eventually merges with neighbouring Sorgun Beach. The beach is flanked by sand dunes and at one point is watched over by the classical marble columns of the Temple of Apollo.

A number of beach clubs flank the sand, providing facilities such as showers, toilets, parasols and sun loungers for a small fee. Water sports include parasailing, jet skiing, windsurfing, banana boating, scuba diving, fishing and boat excursions.

Other easily arranged activities include camel rides through the sand dunes, quad biking, horse riding and white-water rafting in the Koprulu Canyon. Come for a day or relax in comfort at the 5-star Sueno Beach Hotel Side. Side’s East beach is easily accessed by road from Side town centre.

Sorgun Beach – The golden sands of Sorgun Beach offer a choice of beach clubs and luxurious hotels including the Club Voyager Sorgun Select and the Hotel Astura Sorgun, both of which offer a range of creature comforts. Generally quieter than Side’s two main beaches, Sorgun is easy to reach on the frequent dolmus service from Side, just 3km away.

Facilities provided by the beachside clubs and resorts include showers, toilets, parasols and sun loungers for hire and various water sport activities.

Cleopatra's Beach (Alanya) – Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on this 3.5km-long white-sand beach named after Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, who is said to have spent many happy hours here with husband Mark Anthony (who gifted her the city of Alanya around 32 BC).

Overlooked by Alanya’s massive 250m-high cliff-faced promontory crowned by an impressive Ottoman fortress, Cleopatra’s Beach stretches west, fringed by a tree-lined promenade, gardens and several hotels.

Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, with beachside kiosks selling cold drinks and snacks just a short stroll away. Water sports include parasailing, jet skiing, windsurfing and banana boating. The beach is also known as Damlatas beach, named after nearby caves. Alanya is 63km from Side.