Best Day Trips by Car from Side — Distances, Routes, Cars, and Driving Rules Manavgat Waterfall — 3 km from Side, 5 Minutes by Car Aspendos — Roman Theatre, 35 km from Side, About 40 Minutes Köprülü Canyon and Beşkonak — Rafting, Forest Roads, and the Selge Warning Selge Mountain Road Warning Alanya — 60 km East of Side on the D400 Highway Antalya Kaleiçi — Old Town, Harbour, and Museum Access Day Trips from Side at a Glance Fuel, Road Rules, and Rental Insurance for Side Day Trips Home › Day Trips Best Day Trips by Car from Side — Distances, Routes, Cars, and Driving Rules Side sits on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast in Antalya province, and Side's location on the D400 highway corridor makes it a practical base for car-based day trips across the Turkish Riviera. A rental car gives Side visitors flexibility on departure time, route choice, and stopovers — especially after picking up at Antalya Airport — while group excursions in Antalya often cost €30–60 per person and follow fixed schedules. The best drives from Side are Manavgat Waterfall, Aspendos, Köprülü Canyon, Alanya, and Antalya Kaleiçi, with most trips taking 5 minutes to 1.5 hours. Manavgat Waterfall — 3 km from Side, 5 Minutes by Car Manavgat Waterfall, known locally as Manavgat Şelalesi, is the shortest day trip from Side at about 3 km north of town and roughly 5 minutes by car. The road is paved, the route is simple, and a small car such as a Renault Clio, Fiat Egea, or Opel Corsa is sufficient for the trip. Entry is commonly around 30–40 TRY per person, and the waterfall area is a shaded stop for lunch beside the river. Manavgat district also has a Monday market that is well known across Antalya province, and many drivers combine the market with the waterfall in a single morning visit. Riverside restaurants near the waterfall usually serve grilled trout, which is a common local meal on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast. Aspendos — Roman Theatre, 35 km from Side, About 40 Minutes Aspendos is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the region, and the drive from Side is about 35 km or 40 minutes via the D400 highway and a short paved access road. The theatre dates to the 2nd century AD, has a capacity of about 15,000 spectators, and remains a live venue for the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival. A standard economy car such as a Dacia Sandero, Fiat Egea, Renault Megane, or Citroën C3 is sufficient because the approach road is fully paved. Aspendos is useful for a wider history route because Perge is another major Roman site that fits on the same side of Antalya province, although combining both in one day usually requires an early start. Köprülü Canyon and Beşkonak — Rafting, Forest Roads, and the Selge Warning Köprülü Canyon National Park is about 60 km from Side, and the rafting base in Beşkonak is usually reached in about one hour on an asphalt road. The area is known for whitewater rafting on the Köprüçay river, plus forest scenery that extends toward the Taurus Mountains. A compact or mid-size car such as a Renault Clio, Fiat Egea Cross, Renault Fluence, or Peugeot 2008 is suitable for the paved approach. Selge Mountain Road Warning Selge is the difficult extension of this trip, and the road from the valley floor to the ruins involves steep gradients, blind curves, and hairpin turns. The climb is about 10.8 km with an elevation gain of roughly 807 metres, which means a sustained average gradient near 7.47% and sections above 10%. Drivers should use engine braking on the descent, maintain low speed, and avoid relying on the brakes alone, especially if the car is loaded with passengers. Alanya — 60 km East of Side on the D400 Highway Alanya is about 60 km east of Side and usually takes around one hour by car via the D400 coastal highway. The route is scenic but requires attention because some sections narrow to one lane in each direction, especially during local traffic flow or road works. Alanya Castle, Damlataş Cave, the Red Tower, and Cleopatra Beach make this one of the most complete day trips from Side for travelers who want history and beach time in one plan. A standard rental car such as an Opel Corsa, Citroën C3, Fiat Egea, or Renault Clio is enough for the drive, but parking is easier in paid lots near the harbour and lower town than near the castle road. Antalya Kaleiçi — Old Town, Harbour, and Museum Access Antalya Kaleiçi is about 75 km west of Side and usually takes around one hour by car, depending on traffic near the city center. Kaleiçi is Antalya's restored old town, and the area includes Hadrian's Gate, the Yivli Minare, the historic harbour, and narrow streets where parking inside the district is limited. The Antalya Archaeological Museum is also close enough to pair with a Kaleiçi visit in the same day. The drive is efficient in a compact or sedan class car such as a Renault Megane, Fiat Egea, Dacia Sandero, or Ford Focus, because the main challenge is parking rather than road quality. The best parking strategy is a paid lot outside the old town walls, not street parking inside Kaleiçi. Day Trips from Side at a Glance Destination From Side Drive Time Road Type Best Vehicle Notes Fuel, Road Rules, and Rental Insurance for Side Day Trips Fuel stations are common on the D400, and most stations in Turkey are full-service, meaning an attendant pumps the fuel for the driver. Common brands include Shell, OPET, Petrol Ofisi, and TotalEnergies, and the price for gasoline, diesel, or LPG can change weekly with exchange rates and tax adjustments. A Renault Clio or Fiat Egea typically uses less fuel than a Mercedes Vito, which matters on longer circular routes through Antalya province. For speed limits, parking, and EDS camera locations, see our full driving and parking guide. Compare Side Car Rental Deals