Perge, Aspendos and Side Tour from Antalya

East of Antalya, between the Taurus Mountains and the sea, lies the plain of ancient Pamphylia. Three of its great cities can be seen in a single day: Perge with its stadium and colonnaded streets, Aspendos with one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, and Side, whose temples stand right on the shore.

Pamphylia: the Land of All Tribes

The name Pamphylia is usually explained as "land of all tribes". In antiquity the fertile plain was watered by three rivers that still flow today: the Kestros (Aksu), the Eurymedon (Köprüçay) and the Melas (Manavgat). The rivers made the land rich and allowed ships to sail inland, so cities grew wealthy on trade, olive oil and grain. Greek settlers, Persians, Alexander the Great, the Romans, the Byzantines and finally the Seljuks all left their mark here.

Perge: Stadium, Gates and a Generous Woman

Perge lies about 18 km from the centre of Antalya, near Aksu. You enter through the Hellenistic gate with its two round towers and walk down a long colonnaded street with a water channel running along its middle. The city has one of the best-preserved stadiums of the ancient world, along with a theatre, Roman baths and a large agora. In the 2nd century AD a wealthy citizen named Plancia Magna paid for many of its monuments, and her statue is among the treasures of the Antalya Museum. The Apostle Paul also preached in Perge on his first missionary journey.

Aspendos: a Theatre Still in Use

The theatre of Aspendos, near Serik, was built in the 2nd century AD by the architect Zenon. Its stage building stands almost to its full height, and the acoustics are so good that, as guides like to say, a coin dropped on the stage can be heard from the top rows. In the Seljuk period it served as a caravanserai, which helped to preserve it. Today it hosts the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival. Nearby you can see the arches of the Roman aqueduct and the old bridge over the Köprüçay.

Side: Ruins by the Sea

Side sits on a small peninsula near Manavgat. Its name is thought to mean "pomegranate" in an old Anatolian language. The columns of the Temple of Apollo rise right above the water and look most beautiful at sunset. Inside the town walls you will find a large Roman theatre, the monumental gate and a museum housed in an ancient bathhouse. Modern Side has grown around the ruins, so cafés, shops and the harbour are only a few steps from the antiquities.

Tour Program and Booking

The full itinerary of our Perge, Aspendos and Side tour will be published here soon. For dates, prices and pickup from your hotel, message us on WhatsApp or call +90 538 708 8050.

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