The Turkish Riviera has the most stable climate in Turkey. In Alanya, Side, Belek and Kemer, the main seaside resorts on the Turkish Riviera, the weather is lovely from April onwards. From spring, the temperature of approximately 20 degrees rises to over 30 degrees Celsius in July and August. Also in autumn it still is very pleasant in this coastal area with temperatures of 31 degrees in September and approximately 23 degrees in October and November. Even the seawater has a pleasant temperature of over 20 degrees from May to late November.

Wintering
As of 2009/2010, some beach bars, including Beach Club on the East Beach, will be open all year. For the “winterer”, Side is becoming an increasingly popular place where it also is lovely to be at Christmas and New Year. With an outdoor temperature of just under 20 degrees, which is virtually equal to the water temperature, it is wonderful “to catch a breath of fresh air” on the sandy beaches. The mayor of Side intends to make a tourist town of Side where visitors can recreate all year round.

The long, sandy beaches are some of the best of the Turkish coast and also a top tourist attraction. Paragliding, diving, jet skis, almost every water sport is available, while of course many like to laze under the hot Mediterranean sun.

The Side Beach consists of three parts: the Side beach, the centre beach and the Sorgun Beach. The beaches all run gradually into the sea. The Side Beach is located on the northwest side of the city centre and is sandy. The central beach, situated on the southern edge of the centre, also is a sandy beach. With rocks on the beach and rock plateaus in the water at both ends of the beach. The Sorgun Beach is located in the district of Sorgun and this consists of fine sand. This last beach is called the Eastern Beach. Hotel guests of the West Beach (also called Hotel Beach) often come to the Eastern Beach, because this beach is nicer (finer sand) and quieter! And that is a fact!

At sunset, the beach is a popular place to take the most romantic pictures of your beloved, of together, your little family or just the “dying” sun, slowly sinking into the Mediterranean. Naturally, you can also enjoy a drink at one of the beautiful beach bars, which will be open all year as of 2009/2010. You are most welcome and enjoyment is assured.

There’s lots to do in Side. This various from activities around the beach and water, the beautiful nature in the direct vicinity and the rich culture of Side. Below, we offer you a selection, but it is well worth the effort to look further and to certainly visit the tourist office on arrival.

• Aspendos Amphitheatre
• The Roman Ruins
• Top golf courses
• Rafting on the Manavgat river in Koprulu Canion National Park
• Horse riding in the nearby Sorgun forest, 5 minutes from Side.
• Take a public Hamam, that is something different altogether; to be scrubbed all over, rubbed with soapy water and finish with a blissful oil massage. You come out rejuvenated.
• Take a nature trip; this is a journey through the hinterland of your seaside resort, where time often seems to have stood still. You visit a mosque where you get information about Islam and the practices surrounding it, you also visit a Turkish farmer family at home and a school. At the end of the day you will have learned a lot about Turkey, past and present.
• Jeep Safari through the rough and magnificent hinterland of the impressive Taurus Mountains.
• Participate in a Turkish night. An evening full of show and surprises, including belly dancers, folk dancers, fakirs and a traditional Turkish wedding.
• Pamukkale. Admire the famous limestone terraces of Pamukkale, one of the world wonders.
• For culture lovers: visit the ancient city of Perge.
• Multi-day excursions to the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia, which includes visits to an underground city, the open-air museum of Goreme with rock churches and frescoes, Uchisar castle, vineyards of Pasha and the historic towns of Avanos, Urgup, Uchisar, Goreme.
• From the harbour various boat trips/ excursions can be made with, for example, a nice BBQ on the beach, scuba diving, visiting Manavgat, etc.

Hospitality is natural to the Turk. True to the rules of the Koran and congenital friendliness make the Turks fantastic hosts. A stranger in Turkey never is a tourist, he is a “Konuk”, a guest. Even the poorest villagers feel obliged to receive a foreigner in the best possible way. Because of all this hospitality you might feel uncomfortable, because you simply cannot refuse anything. But drinking a lovely coffee or tea is the best possible reward for your host.