Antalya is the gateway to one of the world's most spectacular stretches of coastline, and the destinations that lie along its eastern shore are among Turkey's most rewarding to visit. Side — an ancient harbour town embedded in the present day — and Alanya, with its dramatic clifftop fortress and legendary beaches, are the two destinations that appear most consistently on travellers' wish lists when they are staying in Belek or Antalya. Both are eminently accessible as day trips, yet each offers enough to fill a full day comfortably and leave you wanting to return.

Whether you are based in Belek or in central Antalya, this guide provides everything you need to plan your transfer to Side and Alanya in 2026: exact distances, road conditions, transport comparisons, suggested itineraries and the best photography spots along the way.

Distances and Journey Times

Starting Point Side (Manavgat) Alanya Route
Antalya City Centre 75 km / 60–80 min 125 km / 110–130 min D400 Highway
Belek 35 km / 30–40 min 85 km / 75–90 min D400 Highway
Manavgat Town Centre 3 km / 5 min 55 km / 55–70 min D400 Highway
Antalya Airport 70 km / 65–80 min 120 km / 105–125 min D400 Highway

The D400 Highway: Your Main Route

The D400 is the primary coastal road linking Antalya, Serik, Belek, Side/Manavgat and Alanya in a continuous east-to-west ribbon. It is well-maintained, clearly signposted and dual-carriageway for much of its length, allowing traffic to move at a good pace outside of peak hours. Petrol stations, roadside restaurants and rest areas are spaced at regular intervals throughout the journey.

During peak summer season, the D400 can become congested on weekend mornings and holiday afternoons. Traffic between roughly 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–19:00 is noticeably heavier, and journey times can stretch by 20–30 minutes at these periods. Setting off early in the morning — before 08:00 if possible — is the single most effective way to avoid delays and also to enjoy the cooler hours of the day at outdoor archaeological sites.

Travelling by Rental Car: The Most Flexible Choice

Driving your own hire car along this route is unquestionably the most flexible and, for groups of three or more, the most economical option. You control the departure time, the pace and every stop along the way. You can pause at Aspendos for a spontaneous visit to one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, swing by Manavgat Waterfall before reaching Side or take a detour into Köprülü Canyon National Park for a short walk in the shade. None of this is possible — or at least not affordable — when you are paying for a guided excursion or waiting on a shuttle schedule.

Navigation is straightforward using Google Maps or Waze. Note that the ancient walled streets of Side are pedestrianised, so you will park in one of the designated car parks on the edge of the historic centre and continue on foot. In Alanya, the narrow roads around the castle headland also call for careful navigation; the town's lower car parks are the most convenient base for exploring both the seafront and the upper castle. Browse the Azra Rent a Car fleet to find a vehicle suited to this kind of road-trip day out.

Alternative Transport Options

If driving is not your preference, there are a number of alternatives. Long-distance buses from Antalya's main bus terminal (otogar) run regularly to both Side and Alanya. They are inexpensive but operate on fixed timetables and make multiple stops along the way, significantly extending the journey compared with a direct drive.

Shared minibuses (dolmuş) run frequently between Antalya and Manavgat; from Manavgat a connecting minibus takes you the final few kilometres into Side itself. This is a practical solution for independent budget travellers but requires patience and some familiarity with the local transport network. Organised full-day guided tours sold through hotels and travel agencies are another option — convenient, but they lock you into a fixed schedule and a group pace that may not match your own.

Side: The Ancient Harbour Town

Side is unlike almost any other beach resort in the Mediterranean. Its ancient Roman and Hellenistic ruins are not confined to a separate archaeological park — they are woven into the fabric of the living town. The Temple of Apollo stands on the shoreline with its columns silhouetted against the sea, the ancient theatre sits at the edge of the modern streets and the old harbour wall forms part of the town's current waterfront.

Key sites to visit include the Temple of Apollo and Athena, the well-preserved Roman theatre (one of the largest in Asia Minor), the ancient agora and the Side Museum housed in the town's restored Roman baths. Side's two beaches — one on each side of the peninsula — are busy in summer but exceptionally beautiful. Arriving before 09:00 or after 17:00 gives you the crowds at their thinnest and the light at its best for photography.

Alanya: Castle, Cleopatra and Coast

Alanya occupies one of the most dramatic settings of any Turkish resort town: a great rocky promontory jutting into the sea, topped by a medieval Seljuk fortress and surrounded on both sides by some of the finest beaches in the country. Cleopatra Beach on the western flank is arguably the most famous, and Keykubat Beach to the east is marginally less crowded.

The Alanya Castle itself rewards the climb with panoramic views that stretch for miles in both directions. The Red Tower (Kızıl Kule), built in 1226 at the entrance to the old harbour, is a beautifully preserved example of Seljuk military architecture. Damlataş Cave, a short walk from the western beach, contains striking stalactite and stalagmite formations. For families, Alanya also has several well-regarded water parks and a busy boat tour industry operating from the harbour.

A day trip from Belek to Alanya is definitely feasible, but given the 85 km distance, an early start is important if you want more than a few rushed hours. Leaving at 08:00 gives you roughly five to six hours in Alanya before heading back in comfortable time for dinner.

Stops Worth Making Along the Way

The drive from Belek to Side and beyond to Alanya passes through some of the most historically significant landscape in southern Turkey. A little advance planning allows you to turn the transfer route itself into part of the day's experience.

Aspendos Roman Theatre, approximately 15 kilometres from Belek, is among the finest preserved ancient theatres in the entire Mediterranean world. Its two-storey stage building and raked seating for 15,000 spectators survive in remarkable condition. Köprülü Canyon National Park, a short detour inland from the D400 near Serik, is the top destination in the region for white-water rafting and riverside walking. Manavgat Waterfall, just a few kilometres before Side, offers a cool, green contrast to the coastal heat and is a pleasant 20-minute stop.

Best Photography Spots on the Route

This coastal route is also one of the most photogenic drives in Turkey. Here are the standout photography locations between Belek and Alanya:

  • Aspendos Ancient Theatre: Visit at 08:00–09:00 when the site opens and the morning light falls at a low angle across the stone seating. The crowds that arrive later have not yet gathered.
  • Manavgat Waterfall: The mist and greenery create an unexpectedly lush atmosphere given the surrounding semi-arid landscape. Morning light penetrates the canopy well.
  • Side Temple of Apollo at Sunset: The temple's surviving columns against a Mediterranean sunset are one of the most reproduced images in Turkish tourism for good reason — they are genuinely extraordinary.
  • Alanya Castle Panorama: From the summit of the castle headland, a 180-degree sweep of coastline opens up in both directions. Allow 30–45 minutes for the ascent and the views.
  • The Red Tower, Alanya Harbour: The warm honey-coloured stone of the Kızıl Kule glows beautifully in the golden hour before sunset. The harbour-side cafés opposite provide a comfortable vantage point.

Suggested Day-Trip Itinerary from Belek

The following schedule is designed for travellers who want to visit both Side and Alanya in a single day, departing from Belek. It is an ambitious but very manageable plan with a rental car.

Time Stop Duration Activity
08:00 Depart Belek — Early start, minimal traffic
08:20 Aspendos 45–60 min Ancient theatre, photography, short walk
09:30 Manavgat Waterfall 30–40 min Waterfall walk, nature photography
10:30 Side Ancient Town 2–3 hours Apollo Temple, theatre, harbour walk, swim
14:00 Drive to Alanya 55–70 min Coastal highway, Mahmutlar, Kestel
15:30 Alanya 3 hours Castle, Red Tower, Cleopatra Beach
19:00 Return to Belek 75–90 min Evening drive, dinner on arrival

If this itinerary feels too packed, consider splitting the two destinations across two separate days. Spending a full unhurried morning in Side and a full afternoon in Alanya on different days is a richer experience than racing through both in a single long day. In either case, a rental car is the most sensible way to follow your own rhythm.

Practical Travel Tips

A few straightforward preparations will make a day trip to Side or Alanya noticeably more comfortable. In summer, temperatures at both sites regularly exceed 35°C by midday. Carry more water than you think you will need, apply high-factor sunscreen before you leave the hotel and wear comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking on uneven ancient stone surfaces.

At both destinations, official fee-paying car parks are available close to the main attractions and are far more secure than leaving your car on an informal roadside. Check that your rental insurance covers travel outside the immediate Belek area; most standard policies do, but it is always worth confirming. Contact Azra Rent a Car if you want advice on the best vehicle for a longer coastal drive or have any questions about coverage before you set off.

Combining Side and Alanya: The Full Eastern Riviera Experience

Together, Side and Alanya represent the best of Turkey's Eastern Antalya Riviera — ancient civilisation layered over a modern beach resort, Mediterranean light over extraordinary historical monuments, and a coastal road that is genuinely beautiful to drive. Whether you take them one at a time or tackle both in a single ambitious day, they will be among the strongest memories you carry home from your Turkish holiday.

The freedom to explore this route entirely on your own terms is the strongest argument for booking a rental car for your stay. Choose a model from our fleet and make the eastern coastline your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alanya center is about 130 km, 2 hours from Antalya Airport.

Yes, we offer 24/7 transfer to Side and Alanya.

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