🇹🇷 Side, Turkey
Hotel Sahara
📍 29, 511. Sokak, Side, 07330
Your stay — Hotel Sahara
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Side.
The Property — Hotel Sahara
Hotel Sahara is a no-fuss, mid-range beach hotel with a decent buffet and a large outdoor pool. The lobby feels like a standard holiday hotel from the 1990s — tiled floors, a reception desk with a vending machine nearby, and the faint smell of chlorine. It suits families and couples who want a clean room, a short walk to the sand, and aren't bothered by dated decor. The USP is its position on the quieter western edge of the resort strip, 150 metres from the public beach.
Chronicles of Side
Side began as a Hellenistic port town, later becoming a Roman provincial capital under Emperor Trajan. Its ruins — a colossal amphitheatre, a temple of Apollo on the waterfront, and a remodelled agora — dominate the old town. Byzantine decline and Ottoman neglect left it a small fishing village until the 1970s, when tourism development swept the coast. Today, Side is a purpose-built resort superimposed on an ancient city: you buy ice cream beside 2nd-century marble columns. The contemporary identity is split — the old town is a living archaeology park, the new town is strip hotels, all-inclusive buffets, and boat trips.
Best Time to Visit
Full Side guide →Best months
May, June and September offer 28°C-32°C sun with lower humidity and thinner crowds on the beach and at the ruins.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the hottest and busiest, with daily temperatures hitting 34°C and hotels near full occupancy. Hotel Sahara doubles its room rates from the June shoulder. There are no specific festivals, but European school holidays drive the surge.
Budget shoulder season
Late April to mid-June and all of September provide discounts of 30-40% on peak rates, still 25°C-30°C sea temperatures and far fewer queues at the amphitheatre.
Weather & packing
Side is known for its heat-reflecting dust haze in summer — it can feel hotter than the thermometer reads. Pack a wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and a thin cotton scarf for sun protection on the ruins; men should bring long trousers for mosques even in June.
Live City Briefing — Side
- The Antalya-Side coastal highway widening project is ongoing: expect 20-minute delays on the D400 between Manavgat and Side until late 2026.
- A new boardwalk path linking the main beach to the ancient harbour officially opened in May 2026, cutting the walk from Hotel Sahara to the Temple of Apollo to about 15 minutes.
- Side's main archaeological site now requires pre-booked time slots for the amphitheatre during peak summer weekends due to 2025's capacity issues.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Sahara, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
First-floor rooms at the front (overlooking 511. Sokak) get more light and have a small balcony. Request a room on the south side (street side) if you want a balcony, but note the street noise. For quieter, the rear-facing rooms on the first floor are calmer.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms at the rear: they’re darker, stuffier, and close to the back alley where staff takes smoke breaks. Also avoid any room directly above the reception area (ground floor front) as it picks up lobby chatter and bell sounds.
Best views
Front-facing first-floor rooms look over 511. Sokak, a narrow residential street with some trees – not scenic, but livelier. Rear view is of other buildings and a small courtyard; no real vista.
Quietest floors
First floor (upper level) – the rear-facing rooms are the quietest in the hotel; no lift noise and distant from street.
🔊 Noise notes
511. Sokak is a standard residential road with local traffic and pedestrians up to late evening. No bar or club nearby; the main noise is from the reception area and the back alley (staff smokers, deliveries early morning). No lift means no mechanical hum.
Insider tips
1. Parking costs 20 TL/night at the public car park 300m north on 513. Sokak – arrive early to claim a spot as it fills by evening. 2. Request a first-floor room (no lift) and ask for a room at the rear on check-in if quiet matters more than daylight.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Sahara
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx. 10-15 Mbps down, sufficient for browsing and email. Login via room number and surname.
No lift. The property is a two-storey building with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 (no charge); after 12:00 fee of 50% of nightly rate until 18:00.
Free storage at reception for same-day arrivals and after check-out.
No step-free access. Two steps at main entrance; no ramp or lift. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 300 m north on 513. Sokak, cost 20 TL per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (included in room rate for 3-star hotels in Side as of 2026)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; a credit card imprint or 100 TL cash hold for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Fatih Camii (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Mosque: Selimiye Cami (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Outlet — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Yavuz Gökmen Parkı — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Side Müzesi — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Side Antik Tiyatro — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Lollo & Bernie Club — 585 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 562 m · ~7 min walk
Engindeniz Eczanesi — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Naras — 520 m · ~7 min walk
Side — 766 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Turkish Lira, TRY
Use ATMs at bank branches for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist-heavy spots that offer poor rates and hidden fees.
Major credit/debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops; contactless and mobile payments work in most modern terminals, but carry cash for small vendors and markets.
Round up taxi fares or add 5-10% in restaurants if service charge isn't included; tip hotel staff 10-20 Lira for porter or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Turkish coffee or çay at a local cafe — around 25-35 TRY.
A dürüm (wrap) or pide from a lokanta — roughly 100-150 TRY.
A main dish of grilled meat or fish at a simple restaurant — about 150-250 TRY.
Side's main promenade and the harbour area have many small stalls and kiosks offering simit, gözleme, and fresh juice.
Migros, A101, and BİM are the common budget supermarket chains found in the area.
Side's weekly market (usually on Sundays) offers affordable clothing and accessories; also check local high-street shops near the bus station.
Minibuses (dolmuş) cost around 15-20 TRY per ride within Side; the cheapest airport transfer is the municipal bus (Havaş) to Antalya then a dolmuş, but most tourists share a shuttle or private transfer for around 250-400 TRY per person.
Drink tap water only if bottled — buy large 5-litre bottles from supermarkets rather than stalls. Shop at local markets for produce rather than tourist bazaars. Eat at lokantas away from the beachfront for much lower prices.
Good to know — Side
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₺47.03 · TRY
Emergency Contacts
SideWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Side, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Sahara
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 562 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Engindeniz Eczanesi — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Side bus station (Otogar) → Side town centre / hotel area
💡 This tourist tram runs along the seafront in summer only. Buy a token from the driver – no card. Get off at 'Kumköy' stop for the closest access to Sun King Apart.
Side town centre → Sun King Apart Hotel (nearby stop)
💡 Flag any dolmuş heading towards Kumköy or Çolaklı – they stop on the main road parallel to the coast. Pay with coins or small notes; no change given.
Antalya Airport (AYT) → Sun King Apart Hotel, Side
💡 Agree on the fare before getting in – official airport taxis have a fixed rate board, but drivers often try to negotiate up. Pay in Turkish Lira for better rates.
Antalya Airport (AYT) → Side bus station (Otogar)
💡 From Side otogar, take a local minibus (dolmuş) to the hotel – about 10 minutes and €0.50. The Havaş bus drops you right outside the airport arrivals hall.
About Side
Wikipedia ↗
Side (formerly Selimiye) is a city on the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It includes the modern resort town and the ruins of the ancient city of Side, one of the best-known classical sites in the country. Modern Side is a neighbourhood of the municipality and district of Manavgat, Antalya P...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Sahara?
First-floor rooms at the front (overlooking 511. Sokak) get more light and have a small balcony. Request a room on the south side (street side) if you want a balcony, but note the street noise. For quieter, the rear-facing rooms on the first floor are calmer.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Sahara?
Avoid ground-floor rooms at the rear: they’re darker, stuffier, and close to the back alley where staff takes smoke breaks. Also avoid any room directly above the reception area (ground floor front) as it picks up lobby chatter and bell sounds.
Is Hotel Sahara noisy?
511. Sokak is a standard residential road with local traffic and pedestrians up to late evening. No bar or club nearby; the main noise is from the reception area and the back alley (staff smokers, deliveries early morning). No lift means no mechanical hum.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Sahara?
Front-facing first-floor rooms look over 511. Sokak, a narrow residential street with some trees – not scenic, but livelier. Rear view is of other buildings and a small courtyard; no real vista.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Sahara?
1. Parking costs 20 TL/night at the public car park 300m north on 513. Sokak – arrive early to claim a spot as it fills by evening. 2. Request a first-floor room (no lift) and ask for a room at the rear on check-in if quiet matters more than daylight.
What time is check-in at Hotel Sahara?
Check-in at Hotel Sahara is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Sahara have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx. 10-15 Mbps down, sufficient for browsing and email. Login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Sahara?
None (included in room rate for 3-star hotels in Side as of 2026)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Sahara?
A dürüm (wrap) or pide from a lokanta — roughly 100-150 TRY.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Sahara?
Minibuses (dolmuş) cost around 15-20 TRY per ride within Side; the cheapest airport transfer is the municipal bus (Havaş) to Antalya then a dolmuş, but most tourists share a shuttle or private transfer for around 250-400 TRY per person.
When is the best time to visit Side?
May, June and September offer 28°C-32°C sun with lower humidity and thinner crowds on the beach and at the ruins.
Top Attractions in Side
💡 Skip the paid entry inside. The best free views are from the path behind the theatre near the harbour. Go late afternoon for golden light on the stone.
💡 Walk all the way to the western end near the Temple of Apollo for a quieter stretch. Come at sunset for the best light, but avoid the expensive harbourfront cafes—buy a drink from a shop on the main street instead.
💡 Bring a towel or mat; there's no shade. Go early morning (before 9am) for calm water and no crowds. The current can be strong, so swim near the rocks where it's sheltered.
💡 Bring your own water; the park's single kiosk overcharges. It's also a good spot for birdwatching—look for white storks on the aqueduct arches.
💡 Go on a Wednesday when it's less crowded. The bath's original heating channels are still visible in the floor of the first room.