Antalya Airport to Side Ancient City & Apollo Temple Transfer

Side is an ancient Greco-Roman harbour city set on a peninsula reaching into the Mediterranean. Once an important port and trading hub, it preserves a remarkable concentration of ruins, including a large theatre, colonnaded streets, monumental gates, bath houses and an agora, many of them woven into the modern town's lanes and seafront.

The best known landmark is the Temple of Apollo, whose surviving marble columns stand right at the tip of the peninsula above the sea. The temple dates from the Roman period and is one of the most photographed spots on the southern coast, especially as the sun sets behind the columns.

Visitors come to walk among the ruins, browse the small museum housed in a former Roman bath, and enjoy the rare mix of open-air archaeology, harbour cafes and beaches all in one compact, walkable place.

The journey from Antalya Airport to Side covers roughly 65 km and takes about 60 minutes in normal traffic. Your driver leaves the airport and heads east on the main coastal highway that links Antalya with Belek, Serik and Side.

The route is mostly modern dual carriageway, running past citrus groves, the pine forests the Belek area is known for, and open countryside that gradually gives way to the coast near Side. A short final stretch leads down to the old town and peninsula, so the ride stays direct and comfortable from terminal to the historic centre.

From the moment your driver greets you at arrivals to drop-off near the ancient city, everything is handled for you. That is a real comfort at the end of a long flight, especially if you are travelling with children or plenty of luggage.

We offer two main vehicle types for this route. An economy car suits couples and small families and starts from €29 per vehicle one way. A Vito minivan, with more room for passengers and luggage, starts from €38 per vehicle one way. Prices are per vehicle, not per person, so the fare stays the same however many seats are filled, up to the vehicle's capacity.

Every transfer includes a free meet and greet with a name sign in arrivals, flight tracking so the driver adjusts to delays or early landings, and free child seats on request. There is no prepayment required.

You simply pay the driver at the end of the ride, in cash or by card, at the fixed price agreed when you book.

When you book, let us know your total luggage and group size so the right vehicle is ready. Larger families or anyone travelling with extra cases or a pushchair will usually be more comfortable in the Vito, while the economy car is fine for smaller groups.

Return transfers are easy to arrange at the same time, and we recommend setting a pickup that leaves enough margin to reach the airport calmly. A private transfer keeps things simple at any hour, so you can pick an arrival or departure time that suits your flight.

During your stay, the wider Side area offers beaches on both sides of the peninsula, a lively harbour and plenty of seafront dining, all within easy reach of the ruins for a full day out.

Side was founded in antiquity and grew into a wealthy port under Greek and later Roman rule, which is why so much of what survives dates from the Roman era. The theatre, once seating thousands, the city gates and the Temple of Apollo all reflect that prosperous period before the city gradually declined in late antiquity.

Much of the ancient city is open to wander freely, as the ruins sit among the streets, shops and cafes of the modern town. The Temple of Apollo in particular can be reached on foot at the end of the peninsula, with no barrier between you and the columns by the sea.

For a comfortable visit, wear sturdy shoes for uneven stone, bring sun protection and water, and aim for the cooler morning or late afternoon. Sunset by the temple columns is the classic moment, so many visitors plan their walk to finish there.