Culture & History Side & Manavgat
Side Ancient City, Manavgat Mosque & Hidden Paradise Waterfall
History, culture and nature in one relaxed day: the Roman ruins of Side with a licensed guide, the grand Külliye Mosque in Manavgat, free time at Side harbour and a swim in the clear pools of the Hidden Paradise waterfall.
- approx. 7 hours
- Tue, Fri, Sun
- Free hotel pickup
- Free cancellation
- Family friendly
Overview
- Duration
- approx. 7 hours
- Operating days
- Tue, Fri, Sun
- Pickup
- 09:30 → 16:45
- Guide languages
- English, German, Russian, Turkish
- Destination
- Side & Manavgat
- Pay on the tour day
- Free cancellation
This day trip shows three very different sides of the Manavgat region. You explore the ancient city of Side with a licensed guide, step into the calm of one of the largest mosques on the Turkish Riviera and end the day swimming in the cool, clear water of the Hidden Paradise waterfall in the forest.
Manavgat Külliye Mosque
The first stop is the Külliye Mosque in Manavgat, the largest mosque in the province of Antalya, with its elegant domes and slender minarets on the bank of the river. Your guide explains the architecture and the traditions of mosque life. Please dress modestly – shoulders and knees covered; headscarves for women are available at the entrance.
Side – Roman ruins and a lively harbour
In Side you walk through history: the great Roman theatre, the colonnaded streets, the agora and the columns of the Temple of Apollo rising above the sea. After the one-hour guided walk you have about an hour of free time at the harbour, with cafés and shops in the narrow lanes of the old town.
Lunch and swimming at the waterfall
Lunch (chicken, pasta, rice and salad) is served at the Hidden Paradise restaurant. Afterwards you follow a short forest path to the waterfall, where you can swim in natural pools, cool off in the shade and enjoy the sound of the water before the return transfer.
Want to add the famous theatre of Aspendos? Choose the Aspendos, Side & Manavgat Waterfall tour. For a relaxed day on the river, see the Manavgat river boat trip.
Highlights
- Guided walk through ancient Side
- Temple of Apollo and the Roman theatre
- Manavgat Külliye Mosque, the largest in Antalya province
- Free time at Side harbour and old town
- Swimming at the Hidden Paradise waterfall
- Lunch included
Itinerary
-
09:30
Hotel pickup
Pickup in Alanya, Side and surroundings.
-
10:15
Külliye Mosque
Visit to the largest mosque in Antalya province.
-
11:00
Side town centre
Arrival in Side.
-
11:30
Ancient Side
One-hour guided tour of the ruins.
-
12:30
Side harbour
One hour of free time at the markets and cafés.
-
13:30
Lunch
Lunch at the Hidden Paradise restaurant.
-
14:30
Hidden Paradise waterfall
Swimming and a short forest walk.
-
16:00
Return
Drive back; arrival around 16:45 depending on area.
Included / Not included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Alanya, Side and surroundings
- Air-conditioned transport
- Professional licensed guide
- Lunch (chicken, pasta, rice, salad)
Not included
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
Good to know
Good to know
- Runs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
- Appropriate clothing is required inside the mosque.
- Bring a towel and spare clothes if you want to swim at the waterfall.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimwear, towel and spare clothes
- Modest clothing for the mosque (shoulders and knees covered)
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Cash for drinks and shopping
Cancellation & payment
- Free cancellation up to 18 hours before the tour
- No prepayment – pay in cash (EUR, USD, GBP or TRY) on the tour day
- Quick confirmation via WhatsApp
Free pickup areas
- Alanya (centre)
- Oba
- Kestel
- Mahmutlar
- Konakli
- Turkler
- Avsallar
- Okurcalar
- Cenger
- Incekum
- Kizilagac
- Side
- Manavgat
- Kumkoy
- Evrenseki
- Gundogdu
- Titreyengol
- Bogazkent
Your exact pickup time depends on your hotel and is confirmed after booking. Staying somewhere else? Contact us – pickup from other areas can often be arranged.
Frequently asked questions
Can we swim at the waterfall?
Yes, there is time to swim in the natural pools of the Hidden Paradise waterfall. Bring swimwear, a towel and spare clothes.
What should I wear to visit the mosque?
Shoulders and knees should be covered. Women are asked to cover their hair; scarves are usually available at the entrance.
How is this different from the Aspendos tour?
This tour focuses on Side, the Külliye Mosque and a swim at a forest waterfall. The Aspendos tour adds the Roman theatre of Aspendos and the Manavgat Waterfall instead of the swim.
On which days does the tour run?
The tour runs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with pickup from around 09:30.