Housed in a beautifully restored 5th-century Roman bath complex in the heart of Side, this museum contains an excellent collection of Hellenistic and Roman statues, sarcophagi, and artifacts excavated from the ancient city of Side. The colonnaded courtyard garden is particularly atmospheric.
The Side Museum is housed in a beautifully restored late Roman bath complex in the heart of the ancient town of Side in Manavgat District, Antalya province. The building dates from the 5th century AD and consists of a series of vaulted halls—the changing room, warm room, and hot room of the original bathing complex—that have been converted into display galleries for the artifacts recovered from excavations at Side and its surrounding territory. The museum collection focuses primarily on Hellenistic and Roman sculpture and decorative stonework, and its holdings include several pieces of outstanding quality. The most celebrated display includes a group of well-preserved marble statues, among them a graceful depiction of the Three Graces, alongside busts of gods and emperors. Numerous architectural fragments, including column capitals, friezes, and carved sarcophagus panels, are displayed in the halls and in the garden courtyard, where column drums and inscriptions are arranged along shaded colonnades. The courtyard garden itself is particularly atmospheric, with ancient stonework visible among plantings and the sound of the surrounding town muffled by the high walls. The museum is small in size compared to major facilities like the Antalya Archaeological Museum, but the quality of individual pieces is high and the bath building itself constitutes a significant monument. A combined visit with the ancient city ruins of Side takes two to three hours overall, and the museum is an excellent way to encounter the sculptural finds that the outdoor ruins no longer contain.
Good to know
- Hours
- 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Tue-Sun)
- Best time
- afternoon
- Best for
- history lovers, art enthusiasts
Location
Side Müzesi, Side, Manavgat, Antalya
36.7685, 31.3860 View on map
Highlights
- Museum housed in a 5th-century Roman bath complex, itself a significant ancient monument
- Three Graces marble group and other high-quality Hellenistic and Roman statues
- Atmospheric colonnaded courtyard garden with architectural fragments and inscriptions
- Small but high-quality collection concentrated on Side's finest sculptural excavations
- Central location within Side ancient town, easily combined with temple and agora visits
Tips for visiting
- Small but high quality collection
- Combine with ancient city exploration
- Museum building itself is a Roman bath
When to visit
Afternoon is the ideal time for the museum, as the building provides cool shade from the midday heat and most visitors concentrate at the Temple of Apollo and harbor area in the morning. The museum is least crowded on weekday afternoons outside the peak July-August season.
Accessibility
The Roman bath building has solid masonry floors and relatively wide doorways between halls, making most of the interior accessible for wheelchair users. Some thresholds between bath sections are raised. The courtyard garden is accessible on a compacted gravel surface.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best pieces in the Side Museum?
The Three Graces marble group and a series of imperial portrait busts are considered highlights. The museum also holds fine sarcophagus panels and decorative architectural fragments from Side's public buildings.
Is the Side Museum suitable as a standalone visit?
The museum works best as part of a combined visit with the Side ancient city ruins, particularly the Temple of Apollo. A museum-only visit takes about one hour and may feel brief to those who have not also explored the surrounding ruins.
What days is the Side Museum closed?
The museum closes on Mondays, in line with most Turkish state museums. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from approximately 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM; hours may extend in peak summer season.