A coastal journey led me to the ancient town of Side, where history seems to spill out in every direction. Founded by Greek settlers in the 7th century BCE and later thriving under Roman rule, this once-bustling port is now a fascinating open-air museum.
Wandering past the grand theatre, Roman baths, and the temples of Apollo and Athena—especially with the sea glittering nearby—was nothing short of spectacular.
The statues did leave me scratching my head at first… quite literally. So many statues were missing theirs, until I finally discovered the famous “wall of heads,” mystery solved!
After a long stroll along the waterfront, I headed back to Manavgat in search of lunch and struck gold with a Turkish buffet. The lamb shanks were slow-cooked to perfection, melting off the bone with rich, marrow-infused flavour—hands down the best I’ve ever had. History, sunshine, and unforgettable food… an excellent day out all round.
The theatre was closed off for reconstruction. You could view through small areas but photo was poor.