Essentials
- City
- Side, Manavgat, Antalya, Turkey
- Population
- Approximately 15,000 (permanent), swells to over 100,000 in peak season
- Internet Speed
- Average 35-50 Mbps download; Starlink now available in Turkey; fiber optics in newer complexes
- Currency & Banking
- Turkish Lira (TRY). 1 USD ≈ 32.50 TRY (March 2026 forecast). Euros (EUR) widely accepted in shops.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled water like Erikli (approx. 30 TRY for 5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets (standard European)
- SIM Card
- Turkcell (best coverage), Vodafone, or Türk Telekom. Tourist SIM (20GB) approx. 800-1,200 TRY
- Banking for Expats
- Ziraat Bankası, Garanti BBVA, or Wise/Revolut for local spending
- Accommodation
- Modern apartments in Manavgat or boutique hotels in Side Old Town; Sahibinden.com for locals
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards (Visa/MC) accepted in 90% of establishments; cash needed for local markets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Blue Flag Real Estate, and booking.com (Note: VPN often needed for booking.com inside Turkey)
- Budget Accommodation
- Side Miami Beach Hotel or hostels in nearby Manavgat; approx. 900-1,500 TRY per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Side Old Town (Ancient City) for history and harbor views
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Kemer District or Sorgun for quieter residential complexes with better Wi-Fi
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Workation Side (Pop-up spaces in hotels like Sunprime Dogan) - No dedicated commercial hubs yet
- Best Cafe for Work
- Starbucks Side (on İnönü Blv) - Reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Antalya Digital Nomads Facebook Group; meetups usually happen in nearby Antalya city (1 hour drive)
- Social Events for Expats
- Side Expat Community Group on Facebook; weekly English/German meetups at local bars
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- BiTaksi (limited availability) or localized yellow taxi stands (fixed prices to major spots)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Side Bicycle Rental (Liman region); approx. 300 TRY per day for a city bike
- Best Beach Nearby
- East Beach (Sorgun side) - less crowded and pristine sand
- Top Regional Airline
- Pegasus Airlines (flying from Antalya Airport - AYT)
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines / SunExpress (direct flights to Europe and CIS)
- Highway Access
- D400 Highway connects Side to Antalya (West) and Alanya (East)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Manavgat Bus Station (Otogar) for intercity travel; no train service in the region
- Public Transport Passes
- Antalyakart (used for buses to Antalya city) and cash for local Dolmuş (mini-buses)
- Regional Travel
- Dolmuş (Side-Manavgat line) costs approx. 30 TRY; fixed route every 10 mins
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Private Anadolu Hospital Side (Anadolu Hastanesi) - multi-lingual staff
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Side (at various resort studios in Sorgun); Drop-in approx. 450 TRY
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Suleyman's Gym Manavgat - Professional bodybuilding and cardio equipment
- Laundry Services
- Side Dry Cleaning (near Kemer Blv); approx. 150-250 TRY per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Yemeksepeti or Getir (very active in the region)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Manavgat Piyazı (tahini-based bean salad) and Sea Bass (Levrek)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Karma Restaurant (offers high-end plant-based options overlooking the sea)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Petek Pastanesi (Manavgat) for authentic Baklava and Turkish Delight
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Manavgat Monday/Thursday Market (Bazaar) for fresh produce and spices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Trendyol (the Turkish Amazon/Ebay hybrid) or Hepsiburada
- Grocery Delivery
- Getir or Migros Sanal Market
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Side Harbour area and 'Liman Street' for bars and clubs
- Local Brewery
- Efes and Bomonti are the local standards; craft beer found at The Red Lion Pub
- Wine Bars
- Side House Cafe & Bar - extensive local wine list from the Elmalı region
- Street Food Stalls
- Simit (Turkish bagels) from street carts (approx. 15-20 TRY)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Azumare (Italian/Mediterranean) with sunset views of the Apollo Temple
Business
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable if Turkish residents own >50% of the foreign entity
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $64,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $84,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $144,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $104,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate for 2026)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% (Reduced from 15% in recent years)
- Tax System
- Residency-based; worldwide income for residents (>183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40% (for income over 3.0M TRY)
- VAT
- 20% (Standard rate)
- Property Tax
- Annual tax of 0.1% to 0.2% of the property value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% (Usually split 2% buyer / 2% seller)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Recently introduced 'Digital Nomad Visa' offers potential incentives for high-earning tech workers
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Temple of Apollo (iconic at sunset) and the Side Antique Theatre
- Museums & Art Venues
- Side Museum (housed in renovated Roman Baths)
- Historical Sites
- Ancient City Ruins, Roman Nymphaeum, and Vespasian Gate
- Religious Sites
- Fatih Mosque (Manavgat) and the ruins of the Byzantine Basilica
- Annual Events
- Side International Culture and Art Festival (September)
- Cultural Districts
- Side Old Town (Antique Quarter)
- Theater Venues
- Aspendos Amphitheatre (30 mins away) for world-class opera and ballet
- Local Markets
- Manavgat Grand Bazaar (Open every Monday and Thursday)
- Music Scene
- Live jazz and pop at Apollonik overlooking the harbor
- Street Art
- Murals found primarily in the Newer Manavgat district center
- Cooking Classes
- Local garden cooking classes at nearby villages via 'Organic Side' tours
- Art Galleries
- Local artisan shops in the Old Town selling handmade glass and ceramics
- Historic Buildings
- The Roman Agora and State Agora ruins
- Local Heritage
- Traditional sponge diving and fishing heritage of the Side peninsula
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Manavgat Waterfall and the Green Canyon (Oymapınar Dam)
- National Parks Nearby
- Köprülü Canyon National Park (ideal for rafting and hiking)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal promenade stretching from Side to Evrenseki (approx. 8km)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffside seating at the harbor overlooking the Mediterranean
- Birdwatching Locations
- Titreyengöl Lake (Home to numerous bird species and river turtles)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Quiet stretches of beach near Sorgun Forest (permits may be required)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- PTT (Post Office), Aras Kargo, or Yurtiçi Kargo
- Tech Repair Services
- Manavgat Bilgisayar (Manavgat center) for laptop and phone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Found in most 5-star hotels and the local Side Sports Complex
- Language Classes
- TÖMER (Antalya branch) or private tutors via Craigslist/Facebook groups
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Atatürk Cultural Center (Manavgat) - quiet areas for reading
- Community Centers
- Manavgat Municipality Community Center (Gençlik Merkezi)
- Gaming Lounges
- Netpoint Internet Cafe (Manavgat) for high-end PCs
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Turkey; tourists usually travel to Northern Cyprus for casinos