Luxurycouplesall-inclusive
Barut Hemera
West Side (Kumköy), Side
Adults-only Barut resort with excellent food, big pools, direct beach access — top-tier Turkish all-inclusive.
Check availabilitySide's luxury offering is Manavgat-area cluster — Robinson Club Nobilis, Voyage Sorgun, Barut Hotels — running strong all-inclusive 5-star at the Belek tier. The advantage over Alanya: better-curated properties, longer sandy beaches at Sorgun, and Roman ruins (the Apollo Temple) as the unique sunset hook. The disadvantage versus Belek itself: less golf, fewer Michelin-track dining options, no shopping. Stay outside the old peninsula in the Sorgun/Titreyengöl resort cluster for the full luxury all-inclusive format. Don't try for boutique-luxury in the old town itself — the inventory there is mid-range pensions in 1970s structures, not five-star material.
Side's luxury hotels mostly sit in Manavgat just east of the old town — large all-inclusive resorts with private beaches and 10-minute shuttle access to the Roman amphitheatre. Side's luxury tier sits on the Turquoise Coast — Mediterranean water that holds 27°C through August, pine-fringed coves, and 5-star resorts that have spent 20 years refining the all-inclusive formula for European travelers. Expect $300–$700 per night with most or all meals, multiple pools, kids' clubs at the larger properties, and a private beach or cove. The boutique tier (under 30 rooms, designer-led) is smaller but growing — typically $250–$500 with breakfast only. Book peak July–August 8 weeks ahead; May, June, September, October are the better months to visit.
Adults-only Barut resort with excellent food, big pools, direct beach access — top-tier Turkish all-inclusive.
Check availabilityHuge family-friendly resort with waterpark, multiple restaurants, and long beach.
Check availabilityLegendary family all-inclusive with tennis academy and vast kids' programs.
Check availabilityWell-reviewed family resort with a long private beach and excellent buffet.
Check availabilityOld Town vs west-beach vs east-beach — which one is the right base for the trip you're planning. Plus the temple light-trick at sunset.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Luxury travelers in Side usually want either a historic landmark or a modern resort on the water.
The pedestrianized Roman peninsula — temple columns at sunset, restaurants everywhere, harbor walks.
Side Old Town occupies the entire peninsula that once was a Greek-Roman port. You enter through the Hellenistic gate near the museum, then walk narrow stone lanes past the second-century Temple of Apollo to the small harbor. Most hotels are converted Ottoman houses or small boutique properties tucked between souvenir shops and meyhanes. The main square, Cumhuriyet Meydanı, has a cluster of restaurants with sea views. This is not a place for a resort pool — you come here for the atmosphere, the ruins at sunset, and the ability to walk everywhere. Best for couples or history-minded travellers who want dinner steps from Roman columns.
Pick this for the singular experience of sleeping inside an ancient Roman city, but only if you can tolerate crowds and don't need a resort pool.
Boutique hotel steps from the temple of Apollo in Old Town — great for a cultural base.
Check availabilityLong-running adults-only hotel in the heart of Old Town with a seafront terrace.
Check availabilityThe long sandy beach strip west of Old Town — large 5-star all-inclusives.
West Side, also called Kumköy, is the 4km stretch of sand running from the Old Town peninsula west toward the Side River. The beach here is wide and sandy, lined with large all-inclusive resorts like the Barut and the Side Star. Most hotels are 5-star blocks with multiple pools, buffets, and evening entertainment. The main road, Kumköy Caddesi, has a few independent restaurants and shops. You can walk to the Old Town in about 25 minutes along the beach or take the free hotel shuttle. This area suits families and all-inclusive seekers who want a reliable beach and easy access to the ruins without staying inside the tourist crush.
Pick this for a classic all-inclusive beach holiday with the Old Town a short walk away, but expect crowds in high season and little local character.
Adults-only Barut resort with excellent food, big pools, direct beach access — top-tier Turkish all-inclusive.
Check availabilityHuge family-friendly resort with waterpark, multiple restaurants, and long beach.
Check availabilityForested beach area east of the peninsula — quieter, upscale resorts.
East Side, known as Sorgun, runs east from the Old Town peninsula along a coast backed by pine forest. The beach is narrower here but the setting is greener and quieter. Resorts like the TUI Blue Side and the Sorgun Hotel are among the most upscale in the region, with larger rooms, better landscaping, and more attentive service. There is no real town centre — everything is inside the hotel grounds. You are about 3-4km from the Old Town, a 40-minute walk or a short dolmuş ride. This area is for travellers who prioritise a high-end resort experience over walkability and local culture.
Pick this if you want a premium all-inclusive resort in a forested setting and don't mind being isolated from the Old Town.
Legendary family all-inclusive with tennis academy and vast kids' programs.
Check availabilityWell-reviewed family resort with a long private beach and excellent buffet.
Check availabilityExpect $150-350/night in high season for a five-star all-inclusive on West Side or East Side. The newer ones near Kumköy charge more. Book 2-3 months ahead for the best rates; last-minute summer deals are rare. Use our /planner/ to compare prices across Side's resort strips.
Old Town vs west-beach vs east-beach — which one is the right base for the trip you're planning. Plus the temple light-trick at sunset.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.