Manavgat River Boat Tour from Side – Down the River to the Sea, Waterfall & Market Day
Side belongs to the Manavgat district, and its busy market town is only a short drive inland. On Mondays and Thursdays this day shows you the green side of your holiday resort: a slow boat ride down the Manavgat River to the Mediterranean, a swim where fresh water meets the sea, the waterfall and the bustle of the weekly bazaar.
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Operating days
- Mon, Thu
- Pickup
- 08:30 → 16:00
- Destination
- Side & Manavgat
Your district town, seen from the water
From Side to Manavgat it is only about 7–10 km, so this is one of the shortest transfers of all our day trips – less time on the bus, more time on the river. The tour runs only on Mondays and Thursdays, the days when the market takes over the streets of Manavgat. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking. If your hotel is in the narrow lanes of the old town, the minibus meets you at the nearest point it can reach.
What the day holds
- Close to two hours afloat, drifting downstream between reeds and green banks
- Turtles and water birds near the banks, if you watch closely
- A swim at the mouth of the river – river water on one side, the sea on the other
- Lunch grilled on board – fish or chicken, rice and salad – with soft drinks
- The Manavgat Waterfall, entrance included, with time for a tea in the gardens
- Free time to bargain at the bazaar
Before you go
Bring swimwear and a towel, sun protection, comfortable shoes for the market and some cash for shopping; alcoholic drinks and professional photos are paid separately. River traffic can change the order of the stops. Back in Side, the evening is yours – perhaps on the harbour wall by the Temple of Apollo. Another day, pair the waterfall with the ruins of your own town on the Side ancient city and waterfall tour.
Highlights
- Relaxing 2-hour cruise on the Manavgat River
- Swim where the river meets the Mediterranean
- Lunch and soft drinks on board
- Manavgat Waterfall – entrance included
- Free time at the famous Manavgat bazaar
- Turtles and water birds along the riverbanks
Hotel pickup from Side
Pickup times depend on where your hotel is and change from season to season, so we confirm your exact pickup time by WhatsApp or e-mail after booking. Please be ready at the hotel entrance 5 minutes early.
Hotels we pick up from in Side
- Acanthus Cennet Barut Collection
- Club Melas Privé
- Megasaray Resort Side
- Barut Hemera
- Adalya Bliss
- Novum Garden Side Hotel
- VONRESORT Golden Coast & Aqua
- Voyage Sorgun Hotel
- Liu Resorts
- Barut GOIA
- Side Star Beach Hotel
Your hotel is not on the list? No problem – just tell us its name when booking and we will arrange your pickup.
Itinerary
-
Hotel pickup
Pickup from your hotel in Side – we confirm the exact time after booking.
-
Manavgat river pier
Boarding the boat.
-
River cruise
About two hours downstream towards the sea.
-
Swim at the river mouth
Swim in the river or the sea – just steps apart.
-
Lunch on board
Grilled fish or chicken with salad and rice.
-
Manavgat Waterfall
Free time for photos and a tea in the gardens.
-
Manavgat bazaar
Shopping time at the weekly market.
-
Hotel drop-off
Transfer back to your hotel in Side.
Included / Not included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Alanya, Side and surroundings
- Air-conditioned transport and professional guide
- Boat cruise on the Manavgat River
- Lunch on board (grilled fish or chicken, salad, rice)
- Soft drinks on the boat
- Manavgat Waterfall entrance fee
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Professional photos
- Shopping and personal expenses
Good to know
Good to know
- The tour operates on Mondays and Thursdays only (Manavgat market days).
- You can swim both in the river and in the sea.
- The order of the stops may change depending on river traffic.
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes
- Cash for the bazaar
Frequently asked questions
How far is Manavgat from Side?
Only about 7–10 km inland – one of the shortest transfers of any day trip from Side.
On which days does the boat tour run?
On Mondays and Thursdays, when Manavgat holds its big weekly market.
Can we swim on the way?
Yes. At the river mouth you can choose between the river and the sea, which are just a few steps apart.
What do we pay for on the day?
Only extras: alcoholic drinks, photos and your shopping at the bazaar. Lunch, soft drinks on board and the waterfall entrance are included.
