Holidays in Side by Own Transport

Driving to Side by personal car from Sofia takes approximately 13-14 hours (from Plovdiv around 11.5-12.5 hours, and from Burgas about 11-12 hours of pure driving time). After descending from Burdur, the D400 expressway eastbound provides a direct, swift connection to Side's resort areas without city congestion.

The most convenient and preferred route from Bulgaria is: Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint ➔ Istanbul ring motorway bypass ➔ crossing the Sea of Marmara via the Osman Gazi suspension bridge (O-5) ➔ past Bursa ➔ Bozüyük ➔ Kütahya ➔ Afyonkarahisar ➔ Sandıklı ➔ Burdur ➔ Antalya ➔ expressway D400 directly to Kumköy, Evrenseki, Side, Sorgun, and Titreyengöl.

The western coast of Side (Kumköy, Çolaklı, and Evrenseki districts) is celebrated for an exceptionally wide beach strip of fine golden sand and a gentle, very shallow seabed without sharp stones. The water is warm, calm, and holds a Blue Flag, allowing children to play and swim in complete safety.

Required documents are: Vehicle Registration Certificate (Part 2 / small slip), valid Green Card insurance covering Turkey, driving licence, and a valid national ID card or international passport (valid for at least 6 months). If the vehicle is leased, company-owned, or not registered in the driver's name, a notarised power of attorney translated into Turkish or English is required.

Yes, absolutely. All verified 4* and 5* All Inclusive and Ultra All Inclusive resort complexes in Side feature dedicated 24/7 guarded free parking facilities for their guests, guaranteeing total peace of mind throughout your stay.

The ancient town of Side sits on a peninsula, and its interior historical core is a pedestrian zone. Right by the ancient gate and amphitheatre, there is a large organized municipal parking lot (otopark). From there, you can continue on foot past the colonnades to the Temple of Apollo or take convenient electric golf shuttles.

By personal car, you are just 10 minutes away from the shaded natural park and Manavgat Waterfall (8 km away), about 30 minutes from the magnificent Roman amphitheatre in Aspendos, and 45-50 minutes from Köprülü Canyon for rafting and river walks.

Yes, an HGS sticker is required for crossing the O-5 motorway and the Osman Gazi suspension bridge. You can purchase and top it up right after border control at PTT post offices or major service stations. At the bridge, tolls can also be paid directly at the barrier with a bank card. For a return journey, topping up around €45-€55 in Turkish Lira is fully sufficient.

Yes, the mega theme park The Land of Legends in Belek is located about 35 km from Side (around 30-35 minutes of relaxed driving via the D400 highway). The complex features massive dedicated parking and makes for a perfect full-day family excursion.

We recommend alternating drivers and taking short breaks at 24/7 service plazas run by Shell, Opet, and Petrol Ofisi every 3-4 hours. When traveling with young children, a relaxing transit overnight stay or resting pause in cities along the highway like Afyonkarahisar or Bursa makes the journey effortless.