Unesco Historical

Located just 5 kilometers south of Manavgat center on a small peninsula, Side (derived from the ancient Luwian word for "Pomegranate") is a stunning open-air museum where ancient history directly intersects with a modern harbor town.

Founded by Greek settlers in the 7th century BC, it later grew into a wealthy Roman commercial port and a notorious center for the Cilician slave trade.

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Key Monuments to See:

The Temple of Apollo and Athena: Standing directly on the edge of the sea, the remaining white marble Corinthian columns of this 2nd-century AD temple present one of Turkey's most iconic vistas, particularly at sunset.

Acanthus Cennet Barut Collection

The Side Roman Theater: Unlike most ancient theaters in Anatolia that lean against natural hillsides, Side's massive theater (seating roughly 15,000–20,000 spectators) was built freestanding on a system of vaulted arches, mirroring the engineering style of the Roman Colosseum.

In the Late Roman period, it served as an arena for gladiator battles.

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The Nymphaeum (Monumental Fountain):

Situated just outside the main city gates, this was once a highly decorative, three-story structural fountain that welcomed ancient travelers into the city.

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Side Museum: Housed within the beautifully restored 5th-century Roman Agora Baths, the museum holds an incredible collection of Roman-era sarcophagi, statues, and coins minted right in the city.

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Nestled 12 kilometers north of Manavgat near the village of Bucakşeyhler, Seleucia (historically identified by modern scholars as Lyrbe) offers a completely different atmosphere than Side. Sheltered inside a dense pine forest on a hilltop overlooking the Taurus Mountains, this Hellenistic and Roman mountain city is far less crowded and deeply atmospheric.

The site features an exceptionally well-preserved Agora (marketplace), a small theater (Odeon), the ruins of Byzantine churches, and an ancient bath complex.

It is famous for yielding the spectacular Seven Sages Mosaic, which is now safely on display at the Antalya Museum.

Dating back to the 2nd century AD, this massive engineering marvel once carried fresh water from the Dumanlı source near the Taurus Mountains all the way to the Ancient City of Side, stretching across 30 kilometers.

As you drive through the Manavgat countryside, parts of these monumental structures are highly visible. The engineering is highly notable for its extensive preservation of multi-tiered arched bridges and intricate channels cut straight through solid rock tunnels.

Several globally renowned ancient cities lie just across the borders of the Manavgat district and are easily accessible within a 20 to 45-minute drive.

Aspendos (Serik District)

Located roughly 27 kilometers west of Manavgat, Aspendos is globally celebrated for hosting the best-preserved Roman theater in the world.

Built in the 2nd century AD by the architect Theodoros during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, its towering stage house stands completely intact.

The site also features a massive Roman basilica, an agora, and one of the finest surviving stone aqueduct siphon systems in existence.

Perge (Aksu District)

Situated about 55 kilometers west toward Antalya, Perge was once the capital of Pamphylia. It is an sprawling archaeological wonderland featuring a grand colonnaded street with a water channel running down the center, massive Hellenistic city gates, an ancient stadium that seated 12,000 people, and monumental Roman baths.

If you want to cross official UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites off your bucket list while basing yourself in Manavgat, you can easily visit these via organized day excursions or a rental car:

UNESCO Site Distance from Manavgat What Makes It Special

Xanthos-Letoon ~250 km (West) The ancient capital of the Lycian civilization. Famous for its unique pillar-tombs, rock-cut architecture, and bilingual inscriptions that helped decipher the Lycian language.

Hierapolis-Pamukkale ~240 km (Northwest) A mixed natural and cultural site. Features the brilliant white travertine thermal terraces alongside the vast ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient Greco-Roman spa city.

Practical Tips for Exploring Historical Manavgat

Best Time to Visit: The ruins offer very little shade. If visiting during summer, explore early in the morning (8:00 AM – 10:30 AM) or late afternoon to avoid peak Mediterranean heat. Spring and Autumn offer ideal walking weather.

Museum Pass Turkey: If you plan on visiting the Side Theater, Side Museum, Aspendos, and Perge, purchasing a Museum Pass Mediterranean or Museum Pass Turkey will save you substantial money on admission tickets.

Footwear: Sites like Seleucia (Lyrbe) and the outer ruins of Side require walking over uneven, loose stones and dirt paths. Durable, closed-toe walking shoes or hiking sandals are highly recommended over flip-flops.