We are going on vacation with our child. Family holiday with children in Side. Where to go, what to show your child Where to go with a child

Having visited such cities of the Turkish coast as, this time we decided to go to a resort with a sandy beach at all costs. After reading reviews on the Internet, we concluded that there are two of them in Turkey - Belek and Side.

Both of these cities are equally close to the airport, but you need to go in different directions. After our trip to Alanya, the duration of the transfer was of great importance to us. Choosing to go to Belek or Side with a child, we decided on Side - we were lured by its famous ruins and amphitheater.

Turkish ice cream connoisseur!

There was a very good beach in Side, with sand, although a bit dirty and dusty. But the children really liked the sand, they built their own castles and Easter cakes, and they didn’t worry about dusty hands at all - the sea is nearby, we can wash it!

The entrance to the sea in Side is simply ideal for children: flat, without a single pebble, there are no big waves, except perhaps from passing boats. Holidays in Side with children are the best option!

Vanya liked the beach

We vacationed in May, at that time the weather in Side was not hot. During the day, of course, most often it was 28-30 degrees, but in the evening I wanted to dress up. The sea in May was a little cool. But we swam twice every day; Vanya, of course, swam the most. He really liked swimming in the open sea in armbands, and he swam quite far with us.

Sights and excursions in Side

Where to buy excursions in Side? Yes everywhere! There are so many travel agencies on the street that you just have to choose. There are also Russian-oriented ones, and those in which it is easy to negotiate in basic English. We bought an excursion from an “English-speaking” travel agency, but our guide turned out to be purely Russian - a very nice woman who came from Russia and married a Turk. The cost of various excursions from Side will be given at the end of the article.

We lived in ancient Side itself, not far from the seaport, the amphitheater and other ancient ruins. Thanks to this, we saved on the excursion, paying only for a ticket to the ancient amphitheater of Side, which was much cheaper than the excursion with transfer. It's funny, but travel agencies near our hotel also offered an excursion to the amphitheater - for a fee you could walk this route with a Turkish, Russian-speaking guide. We went there ourselves - a 20-minute walk one way, taking into account Vanya’s small legs.

We visited the amphitheater of ancient Side, and also examined other ruins, admission to which is free.

Ancient amphitheater in Side

Entrance was also free to the Temple of Apollo- those same famous columns that, along with the amphitheater, are depicted on all souvenirs and are a symbol of Side.

The territory of the Temple of Apollo is fenced, the entrance opens at 9 am. Excavations and restoration work are being carried out on the territory, so, most likely, soon the Temple of Apollo will be more or less restored, and entry there will also be paid...

Temple of Apollo stands right on the seashore, almost on a cliff. There is a beautiful view from here.

Near the Temple of Apollo

Side is a port city, so here, near the ruins, you can see a huge number of ships that sail, sail away, and take away noisy tourists on excursions to the loud cries of animators.

There are very beautiful ships in the port of Side

After we liked it, we decided to definitely go with Vanya to the best Turkish dance show “Lights of Anatolia”. If you are planning excursions in Side with children, I highly recommend not to miss this spectacle.

At the entrance to Aspendos

The show takes place in Aspendos, an ancient open-air amphitheater just outside Side. Also on other days there is another dance show - "Troy", which you can also go to with your child. According to reviews, some people like it even more than “Lights”.

Since the action takes place in the open air, if you are going to go to the “Lights of Anatolia” with a child, you should take warm clothes and umbrellas with you, anything can happen. For example, we were freezing in our blouses and also wrapped ourselves in towels, which we took with us to sit on. We read that visitors used to sit upright on the stone steps and prepare to soften their fate. But when we arrived at the amphitheater, we were pleasantly surprised by the plastic seats. Of course, they are not super comfortable, but, in any case, they are better than stones.

This time we decided to go on one historical excursion - Since the excursion was quite tiring, we went without Vanya, fortunately my mother also went with us to Side - Vanya stayed with her. Before this, we had never gone on such excursions because of a small child, and we were very glad to have the opportunity.

Kekova is an ancient city on a stone island, a vertical city. The streets there were not arranged in the usual horizontal way, but vertically - upward. There are still traces of ancient houses, wells and trenches for collecting drinking water.

View from the sea to a coastal village

IN city of Demre located Church of St. Nicholas- it was in this place that he was buried. It was a discovery for us that Saint Nicholas, it turns out, was a native of these places. In Russia, he is somehow considered “one of our own.”

Church of St. Nicholas fortified

Inside the Church of St. Nicholas there are beautiful mosaic floors, and ancient frescoes have been preserved in some places.

Inside the Church of St. Nicholas

There are several sarcophagi of church ministers in the public domain, and the “miraculous” sarcophagus of St. Nicholas itself is protected by glass on all sides.

Sarcophagi of the clergy

Quite recently, this sarcophagus could have been touched, but for some reason people began to desecrate it, throwing it there or simply throwing garbage. So now the relic has been closed, but especially “believers” have found a way to touch the shrine. You can stick your hand into a crack in the stone slab under the glass and even “bless” an icon purchased here by holding it near the sarcophagus.

Sarcophagus of St. Nicholas behind glass

Ancient city of Mira. In fact, this is a mountain with crypts, but it looks very majestic.

Not far from the mountain there is an amphitheater, very similar to the amphitheater in Side. Interestingly, the amphitheater was not built here by chance. All important city meetings were held here, and previously it was believed that citizens, even after death, should be aware of everything that was happening. Therefore, it was decided to build the most important place for general gathering not far from the burials.

Amphitheater of the city of Mira

Of course, everyone decides for themselves which excursions are worth visiting while vacationing in Side. But it is worth considering that the road to them can be very long. For example, on an excursion to Pamukkale from Side you need to travel about 8 hours one way, including along a mountain serpentine road. An excursion to Cappadocia from Side takes even longer. The child definitely cannot withstand such torment.

In conclusion, I will post prices for excursions in the Turkish town of Side. I think they may be useful to those who are planning to visit this wonderful town with or without a child.

Türkiye is an amazing land that pampers tourists with luxurious resorts and cities. In the southern part of the country there is a respectable resort called Side, where you will spend an unforgettable family vacation. You will be greeted by beautiful bays with golden beaches and warm seas, beautiful and varied nature, excellent hotels with first-class service. The city will appeal to connoisseurs of ancient culture; it resembles an open-air museum with ancient monuments of architecture and sculpture. in Side is an opportunity to spend an eventful and wonderful vacation with your children!

What to see in Side

Amphitheater

This is an ancient architectural monument, which is already 2000 years old. Once its stands were filled with spectators - the amphitheater could accommodate up to 18 thousand people. From the top row there is a beautiful panoramic view of the sea, the Hellenic Gate and the city baths. The temples of Apollo and Artemis are also visible.

Side Museum

The city museum houses a unique collection of antiquities. The peculiarity of the museum is that the exhibits are stored in restored ancient Roman baths. You will see monuments from the Hellenistic and Roman eras: statues of Greek gods, columns, tombs, artifacts and household items. Children will appreciate the garden around the museum, where exotic birds roam among the statues and plants.

Agora shopping area

A popular place among tourists. Of particular interest are the ruins of the ancient temple of the goddess of fate and a public restroom with a vault - the latrium. The walls of this original structure are decorated with white marble, and the floor is tiled. The entrance to the Agora is framed by a gate made of columns, which is called the propylion.

Temple of Apollo

Legendary landmark of Side. Fragments of the foundation and columns remain from the temple, but they also convey the former grandeur of this structure. The Temple of Apollo is located on the top, the view from which is simply stunning.

Temple of Artemis

By the sea, near the Temple of Apollo, you will find the ruins of the Temple of Artemis. It was built of marble in the Corinthian style. Only a few columns and parts of the foundation have survived to this day.

Green Lake

A place for nature lovers where the whole family can go. The excursion is a pleasant boat ride. The program includes fishing, swimming in the lake and a buffet. Children can ride on a banana boat, swing or canoe. The excursion ends with a delicious dinner of wild boar, fish caught by fishing, side dishes, salads and drinks.

Koprulu Canyon

Koprulu Canyon National Reserve is a kingdom of wild nature. You can explore the area by hiking or horseback riding. The turbulent Kepruchay River flows through the canyon, where all conditions are created for excellent rafting.

Manavgat Waterfall

When deciding where to go on an excursion in Side, pay attention to the picturesque Manavgat waterfall. Its height does not exceed 2 meters, but the length of the violent stream is 40 meters. Manavgat is a unique symbol of Turkey.

Troy Waterpark

A water theme park is located 40 minutes' drive from the resort. It is designed in the style of ancient Troy with a huge Trojan horse in the center of the park. There are various water attractions, slides and pools here. Near the water park there is a dolphinarium with dolphins, a white whale and a walrus. You can take pictures of animals and even swim together.

Sealanya Water Park

A great place to relax for children and adults. Dolphins, sharks, stingrays, exotic fish and other creatures live in 15 azure pools. You can go snorkeling or just watch the marine life. Twice a day there is a fun and colorful dolphin show.

Keif Hammam

Take the whole family to the hammam. The famous oriental baths with swimming pools, steam rooms, saunas, massage rooms, a salt cave and a bar will provide unforgettable relaxation and relaxation for adults and children. The hammam is located on Belek Square.

Beaches of Side

They are so clean that they are awarded the Blue Flag by the European Commission for the Environment. When choosing any beach at the resort, you can count on cleanliness and safety. It is comfortable to relax with children on the sandy coast of Turkey.

Active entertainment in Side

If you like to relax actively and have fun, go rafting. Rafting on a mountain river is safe and will bring a lot of fun to the whole family. During the trip you will see ancient architectural sites, visit a protected area and fish for trout.

Diving is another popular activity in Side. You will discover all the charm of the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea. The resort has a diving center that offers single dives or a full diving course.

You can explore the surrounding area of Side by bicycle. This bike ride will bring positive impressions to you and your child. A trip on a jeep safari will help you get to know the nature of the resort better. Side also organizes exciting excursions on boats and yachts.

Hotels

4* and 5* hotels in Side have excellent infrastructure, which is completely aimed at children. In each of them you will be provided with a crib, a stroller, a microwave oven for heating baby food, babysitting services and children's animation. Many hotels have water slides and their own water parks. The resort hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis.

Family vacation can be made as eventful as possible. To do this, you need to choose a hotel with the innovative concept of Coral Family. It is aimed at ensuring that your child spends his holiday not only fun, but also educationally. An interesting program awaits him, filled with educational games, creative master classes, competitions, events, sports competitions and entertainment. The concept is designed for children of different ages - from 6 months to 16 years. Read reviews about the program from happy families who have already vacationed with Coral Family.

One of the best options for spending a holiday with children is a holiday in the Turkish city of Side. Here little travelers have everything they need: excellent water parks, entertainment complexes, theme parks. In addition, the city preserves ruins inherited from the era of Ancient Rome and Greece: for example, it is definitely worth visiting the columns of the Temple of Apollo, the ruins of a Roman theater dating back to the 2nd century AD. And, of course, visit the museums of Side, learning a lot of new information about the city’s past.

The first entertainment complex that is worth visiting with the kids when arriving in Side is Prima Hane Garden Waterpark, located on the territory of PrimaSol Hane Garden. The water park has all the conditions for making the time spent here memorable for a long time: several swimming pools, water attractions, recreation areas with magnificent palm trees under which you can hide from the summer heat, as well as animators dressed as your favorite characters that entertain the kids throughout the day.

Another interesting water park is simply called Aquapark; it is located on the territory of Club Golden Beach. There are not many slides here, but they are all interesting (although none are particularly extreme, so you don’t have to worry about the kids), there are several swimming pools. The water park is clean and well-maintained; little tourists can splash around in the water, play with inflatable toys and try all the slides. A local cafe with an excellent selection of dishes is always available to visitors if they get hungry. Copyright www.site

Discovery Park, next to Prima Hane Garden Waterpark, is another great place to visit. If a child loves dinosaurs just like George from Peppa Pig, then it’s definitely worth taking him here (however, if he doesn’t like dinosaurs that much, it’s really worth a look here for the sake of pleasant memories for the child). There are sculptures of dinosaurs everywhere (full-length), which seem to be about to come to life; there are also figurines depicting characters from the cartoon “Ice Age”. A train runs through the entire park, which is very interesting for children to ride.

In addition, on the territory of the theme park there is a small zoo, whose inhabitants include goats, lions, crocodiles, parrots, bears, wolves, and deer. You can take pictures with many animals, and some you can feed. In the aquarium, children will be amazed by the huge python. The climax of the excursion around the park is considered to be the magnificent show of fur seals and crocodiles. Needless to say, the experience of visiting a theme park will be the most pleasant? You can complete your exploration of the park in a local cafe, where all visitors praise the perfectly prepared dishes. It is worth noting that it is best to come to the park in the morning, so that little citizens have more time for a pleasant pastime.

Aktur Lunapark is another place worth visiting in Side. Here, little travelers will be able to ride on a variety of interesting attractions, and adults will be able to remember their childhood and also have a great time. There are several extreme rides (for example, “Rocket”), carousels, but children are usually especially delighted by traditional car rides. Children will also enjoy the ship moored near the shore, on which they can climb, jump and run. Nearby is Dede Korkut Parkı, where little tourists can play on the playground.

The Turkish resort of Side is often chosen by parents with children because the children's entertainment infrastructure in hotels is well developed here. Almost without leaving the hotel complex, you can swim in the pool, have fun in the water park, and ride on all kinds of carousels. The only alternative to this view is a tour of the ruins. It is very interesting to explore the remains of the ancient fortress wall, amphitheater, and temples, but in search of new experiences you can visit neighboring resorts. We offer an overview of 5 interesting places that are easy to reach with a child from Side.

Sealanya Sea Park

Surprisingly: next to a busy highway there is a truly paradise. The creators of the park settled the inhabitants of the seas in 15 pools with azure water. You can get acquainted with the strange creatures that inhabit the depths of the water by simply observing them from the shore. But those who wish can swim with dolphins or go on an underwater trip with a mask and snorkel. Here you can see bright tropical fish, stingrays, and sharks. Good-natured dolphins stage a bright and cheerful performance twice a day, charming all spectators, young and old.

Troy Waterpark

This water park is located 40 minutes' drive from Side, on the premises of the Rixos Premium Belek Hotel. It seems to transport visitors back to the time of the Trojan War: helmets and armor are scattered here and there, and a huge wooden horse rises in the center of the park. True, here it is not for military tricks, but for sliding downhill.

The main part of the water attractions is designed for adults and children over 10 years old. But the kids enjoy playing in the small pool where the slide boat is moored. You can also take young children on a swim down the Lazy River. Extreme sports enthusiasts will appreciate the Troy slides, as well as a special pool for windsurfing. Next to the water park there is a dolphinarium, where the artists, in addition to dolphins, are a white whale and a walrus. Having captivated visitors with their performance, the animals are ready to take photographs, and the dolphins also invite them to swim together.

Read more about the Troy water park on the page of our website.

Koprulu Canyon

The Koprulu Canyon National Nature Reserve allows you to organize a vacation to suit every taste. You can go hiking or horseback riding to get more wildlife photos. You can have a picnic in a shady corner. Or you can try to conquer the stormy Kepruchay River: even novice rafters can try their hand here. To do this, you only need courage and a reliable company, which is precisely the family.

Victory in the fight against the water element will be remembered for a long time in the family circle. It should be noted that all conditions have been created for rafting on Kepruchai; specialists will give the necessary instructions and provide equipment.

Manavgat Waterfall

If your child likes noisy entertainment, tempt him with a trip to a waterfall, which can outshine even a crowd of children. The waterfall on the Manavgat River is not high, but it is striking in width - it reaches 40 meters. Rising from the ledge, the dark water turns into white foam, and refreshing splashes reach those who admire this spectacle. The water in the river is cold even in summer, so it’s nice to have a picnic on the shore near the waterfall; there are convenient places for this. By the way, the local restaurant serves very tasty trout caught in Manavgat.

Boat trip on a yacht

A very attractive yacht, on which Vikings and pirates coexist, offers a trip along the Manavgat River with access to the Mediterranean Sea. Animators will easily involve children in fun competitions and costume games: who will refuse to try on a pirate hat or weigh an antique pistol in their hand. And as the journey progresses, everyone can expect to land on Pirate Island, search for treasure, swim in the open sea and prizes for brave sailors. It is important not to forget to bring a hat and sunscreen.

Kidpassage wishes you and your children a varied and exciting holiday at the Side resort!

Very popular for holidays with young tourists. There is everything you need for a comfortable pastime. And then we’ll talk about the features and give some recommendations.

In Side with a child. Advantages

One of the significant advantages is the convenient location of the resort . The relative proximity to the airport will allow the child to endure the journey quite easily. To show your children interesting places, you also don’t have to travel far, since there are a huge number of them in Side.

Another undeniable advantage is the beautiful sandy beaches and a huge selection of hotels.

In Side with a child. Choosing a place

In Side with a child. Hotels

The choice of hotels here is simply huge. Of course, large hotels of well-known chains are best suited for a child, where children's infrastructure is well developed and the service is excellent. However, such complexes are usually not cheap.

Among the economy class hotels in Side there are also very decent options, you just need to carefully choose them. To select the best option, we recommend using the article: how to choose the right hotel...

In Side with a child. Beaches

For a child, the beaches of Side are considered one of the best in Turkey. The beautiful sandy coast and good entry into the water will allow you not to worry about your children. Many beaches have the European Blue Flag.

Holidays in Side with children. Excursions

There are a lot of attractions in Side, both ancient monuments and stunning corners of nature. A significant advantage is the compactness of this Turkish resort, so you don’t have to travel far.

Holidays in Side with children. Food

In good hotels there is almost always a special children's table with dishes even for the youngest, as well as special dietary tables. For a very young child, it makes sense to bring formula and food with you.

With older children, you can safely go to any cafe in the resort of Side. The food here is very high quality. The only thing to keep in mind is that Turkish cuisine often uses quite spicy seasonings, so you should check this when ordering or order dishes from other countries.

Holidays in Side with children. Entertainment

To ensure that little tourists don’t get bored, Side, as well as throughout Turkey, offers a wide variety of entertainment. Children's pools, playgrounds, water parks entertainment events and much more.

Large hotel complexes have all this, as well as children's animation and clubs.

If you have chosen a small hotel for a holiday with a child without special infrastructure for children, then it is better if this hotel is located in a place where there is entertainment for children on the street. For example,