Town in Antalya, Turkey
Side for solo travelers
Is Side good for solo travel?
Beach town built around Roman and Hellenistic ruins on a small peninsula, with all-inclusive resorts nearby. Easy and tourist-focused; quiet off-season and light on local life.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable in season, with attentive shopkeepers rather than threats. Stay near busy streets at night and decline private boat or scooter offers. |
How to meet people in Side
Hostels and small pensions in the old town, boat tours and group day trips to Manavgat waterfall, Aspendos and Selge, plus beach bars in season.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the Temple of Apollo at sunset
- Swim at the east beach early before sunbeds fill
- Visit Aspendos theatre by day trip
- Take a Manavgat river boat or waterfall visit
- Explore the Side Museum in the old bath
Where to stay in Side
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Side Old Town (peninsula) | Ruins, restaurants and shops; walkable but busy in season |
| Kumköy and Çolaklı | Resort strips with beaches and cheaper packages |
| Manavgat center | Local markets, cheaper food and long stays |
Solo travel across Turkey
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Antalya | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Cappadocia | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bodrum | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Fethiye | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Alanya | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Izmir | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kaş | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ölüdeniz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Marmaris | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Dalyan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Selçuk | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Gaziantep | 4/5 | Limited |
| Pamukkale | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ankara | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kuşadası | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Side | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Çeşme | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kemer | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kalkan | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Trabzon | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bursa | 3/5 | Limited |
| Didim | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Belek | 2/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Side good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Beach town built around Roman and Hellenistic ruins on a small peninsula, with all-inclusive resorts nearby.
How do you meet people in Side?
Hostels and small pensions in the old town, boat tours and group day trips to Manavgat waterfall, Aspendos and Selge, plus beach bars in season. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Side?
Widely spoken.
Is Side safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in season, with attentive shopkeepers rather than threats. Stay near busy streets at night and decline private boat or scooter offers.
More about Side
Going to Side solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Side meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.