7 Places to Visit in Manavgat and Side

Among the first places that come to mind when Manavgat is mentioned are the waterfall of the same name, and the ancient city of Side. With its beaches, historical sites and alternative attractions, Manavgat is one of the places that hosts the most tourists in Antalya. Apart from a beach holiday, it is one of the places visited by travelers and those who want to make cultural trips.

You can read the rest of the article for details of places to visit and activities to do in Manavgat.

About Manavgat & Side

Manavgat Side region is a magnificent holiday region with very modern hotels and accommodation options suitable for everyone. This region, which hosts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year, is also one of the most frequented addresses of domestic tourists.

While the world-famous Manavgat waterfall fascinates people with its extraordinary natural beauty, the accommodation facilities in the Side region meet everyone’s holiday expectations. You should definitely see this beautiful holiday region, which offers great opportunities to people with its sea, beaches, natural beauties and clean Mediterranean air.

Best Places to Visit in Manavgat

Side Ancient City (Side Antik Kenti). This area, which is thought to have been built in the 7th century BC and was used as the center of the slave trade in ancient times, is one of the most important places visited by history buffs. Thanks to the arrangements made without damaging the historical texture and without damaging the originals of the buildings, it has become a much more comfortable area to visit.

In addition, there are places where you can rest when you are tired, places where you can shop, restaurants. You will be surprised to see that ancient people built such beautiful structures without technology.

Side Ancient City - Side Antik Kenti
Side Ancient City – Side Antik Kenti

Side Archaeological Museum (Side Arkeoloji Müzesi). You can come across many different artifacts from daily items to sculptures in this museum, where the works obtained from the excavations in the surrounding area are exhibited. While you can get information about the artifacts in the museum, which consists of small halls, you can take pictures at the same time.

You can enter with your museum card. Side archeology museum is one of the most beautiful places to visit when you want to spend a pleasant day when you are planning a trip in the Manavgat Side region. If you are going to visit many historical places, you can buy a museum card. You pay once for the museum card and you can visit many places with your museum card.

Side Archaeological Museum - Side Arkeoloji Müzesi
Side Archaeological Museum – Side Arkeoloji Müzesi

Apollon Temple (Apollon Tapınağı). This magnificent ancient structure, located by the sea and enchanting people with its magnificent view, attracts attention with its specially embroidered stone columns. Because it is such a magnificent building, people who see it cannot hide their astonishment at first.

It is one of the must-see places, especially for photography enthusiasts. Some sources pass it as one of the best preserved structures of antiquity today. This building, which was completely unearthed with the works carried out in the early 1900s, still continues to attract the attention of people.

Apollon Temple - Apollon Tapınağı
Apollon Temple – Apollon Tapınağı

Side Ancient Harbor (Side Antik Liman). Manavgat is one of the most beautiful places to see in Side. This area, where people spend most of their time during the day and at the same time they prefer to take in the sea air, was used as one of the most frequented addresses by pirates in ancient times. 

You can visit this place because of the fact that it is surrounded by ancient structures, it hosts magnificent views and at the same time it has clean air. If you want to know the Manavgat Side region and make the right choices to spend time in the Manavgat Side region, then you can start from this article and make a Manavgat Side travel plan for yourself.

Monumental Fountain (Nymphaeum) (Anıtsal Çeşme). This Roman structure, dating back to the 2nd century BC and attracting attention with its magnificent architecture, is one of the most well-known and most interesting historical structures of the region. Columns made of marble still stand with all their splendor. Not only the fountain but also the different historical buildings in the region contain artifacts that you must see. Since it is a part of a large ancient city, you will have the chance to see many important structures closely after the tour you will start from here.

Vespasian Fountain (Vespasianus Çeşmesi). It is an extremely magnificent structure. The facade of the fountain, which consists of an arch with a height of 15 meters and a width of 7 meters, attracts attention with its marble decorations. It is estimated that this building, which has become much more interesting especially with the lighting used in the evening, was built in the 150s after Christ. If you want to see this structure closely during your trips in the region, then you should use the side of the entrance gate to the ancient city that faces Side.

State Agora (Devlet Agorası) Literally resembling an open-air museum, this area is one of the best places to understand the history of the region. The Manavgat Side region is famous for its rich history, and it is one of the places that attracts not only those who want to have a holiday, but also those who are interested in history. Traveling in the Manavgat Side region is like traveling in history. You can see historical buildings even on your daily walks in Side.

Lyrbe Ancient City (Lyrbe Antik Kenti). The ancient city is approximately 11 km from the center of Manavgat. This ancient city, which has still managed to preserve its former beauty and naturalness, attracts the attention of many people every year. Seeing the ruins of the civilizations that lived in this area, especially in ancient times, can give you the atmosphere of those days.

On your excursions here, you can see ancient living spaces, sanctuaries, churches, as well as walking paths surrounded by specially embroidered columns.

This ancient city is a bit far from the center of Manavgat, but if you like to see historical places, you should definitely visit it. This is a forested area, a little walk in the ancient city, getting fresh air is a good activity.

Ancient City of Lyrbe
Lyrbe Ancient City

Waterfalls in Antalya Manavgat

Manavgat Waterfall (Manavgat Şelalesi). Naturally, Manavgat Waterfall is one of the first places that comes to mind when Manavgat is mentioned. This magnificent waterfall, which is one of the best-known natural beauties not only of the region but also in Turkey, is an extraordinary place that should be seen by everyone.

Equipped with social areas in a way that will not harm the nature since it is a very interesting place, there are walking paths, private piers where you can watch the scenery, toilets, resting areas and kiosks for shopping. This waterfall, which has a rare beauty in the world, should definitely be at the top of your Manavgat Side travel list.

There are cafes and restaurants by the waterfall. Sit here, listen to the sound of the waterfall or watch the view.

Manavgat Waterfall - Manavgat Şelalesi
Manavgat Waterfall – Manavgat Şelalesi

Türkbeleni Waterfall (Türkbeleni Şelalesi) If you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing place in the Manavgat Side region, then you can spend time around this waterfall. The soothing sound of water and the scents of many different flowers will be enough to bring you the peace you seek. If you head towards the hills, then you can watch the Manavgat Side region from a bird’s eye view and enjoy the magnificent view.

Although it is an artificial waterfall, it still has a structure that does not look for the real in terms of both naturalness and appearance. Evaluate all options in your Manavgat trip. This is one of the beautiful places you can visit.

Turkbeleni waterfall
Turkbeleni waterfall

Canyons Nearby

Tazi canyon (Tazı Kanyonu). This natural beauty that will fascinate you from the very first moment is one of the most important places that people who come to this region should see. You can reach the area with a half-hour drive from the center of Manavgat and then enjoy the magnificent view to the fullest after a 20-minute walk.

This natural cleft, which is formed by itself among the high cliffs, presents a view that you cannot see everywhere. At the same time, since it is an area surrounded by forests, you can breathe the clean air. Tazi Canyon is approximately 79 km from the center of Manavgat. You can go with your car or tour companies.

Greyhound Canyon
Tazi Canyon or Greyhound Canyon

Koprulu Canyon National Park (Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı). It is one of the most ideal places for people who want to be alone with nature and participate in adrenaline-filled activities. Especially if you enjoy rafting, zipline, boat tour, canoe or ATV trips, then you should definitely allocate the necessary time to this region.

While you can have a picnic by taking fresh air by the flowing water, you can also climb to the peaks and enjoy the beautiful view. There are restrooms, picnic areas, camping areas or other similar services for you to have a comfortable time in the area. 

Koprulu canyon is 64 km from the center of Manavgat. If you have a car, you can go easily. The road is smooth and there are beautiful views on the road. There are also restaurants for food and drink to relax on the way. You can also go here with tour companies.

Koprulu Canyon National Park - Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı
Koprulu Canyon National Park – Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı

Cave to Visit

Altinbesik Cave National Park (Altınbeşik Mağarası Milli Parkı). The cave is approximately 57 km from the center of Manavgat. Altınbesik Cave is located in İbradı district of Antalya province. This place is near Manavgat, you can visit it by car or tour companies.

Although it looks like an ordinary cave at first glance, you should definitely see this magnificent place, which has a beauty that fascinates those who enter it. The extraordinary formations of rocks and ponds in the cave reveal an incredible beauty.

Altinbesik cave
Altinbesik cave

Detail

Apart from the beaches of Manavgat, it is one of the places that attract the attention of tourists with its natural beauties. Köprülü Canyon is one of the places where you can do many different activities, especially rafting. Another popular activity is boat tours on the Manavgat river. Apart from the places to visit: You can take a walk near the Manavgat river and the sea.

If you are looking for places to visit near Manavgat: The theater and ancient city of Aspendos in Serik is very beautiful. Serik is approximately 36 km from Manavgat. You can visit popular places such as Alanya Castle and Damlatas Cave. Alanya is approximately 60 km away from Manavgat.

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