Kemer or Side: where to stay by the sea and what to see

A practical comparison

Either destination can suit a holiday spent mainly at the hotel. If you do not expect to go out much, focus your comparison on the room, beach and facilities.

Phaselis and Side’s ancient centre

GoTürkiye’s Antalya guide covers accommodation around Kemer and describes Phaselis. If you want to visit Phaselis, check the journey from your hotel in advance. Hotels across the resort area are at different distances from the sights.

GoTürkiye’s Side guide focuses on the ancient coastal town, including the Temple of Apollo and the theatre. If you want to visit regularly, choose your accommodation accordingly. A hotel in another part of Side does not necessarily put the old town within a few minutes’ walk.

Choose the places you most want to see and decide how often you will visit. For frequent walks, staying nearby makes sense; a single excursion need not rule out an otherwise suitable beach hotel.

Central areas and hotels further out

In Kemer, compare the centre with specific coastal areas rather than relying on the destination name alone. If you want to go out independently, check routes to shops and places to spend the evening.

In Side, compare the ancient centre and nearby beaches with hotels in Kumköy or Evrenseki. A more distant resort hotel may suit a week spent mostly on site, while frequent town visits will mean extra journeys.

Read our Kemer guide and Side guide, then check the route from each hotel to the places you need on a map.

Beaches and family facilities

Ask each hotel about the seabed where you enter the sea, steps or a platform, shade on the beach and ease of access from your room. A general description of a sandy or pebbly coastline may not match the particular beach section.

Families should compare room layouts, the pool they want to use, club age limits and meals. Couples may place more weight on the room’s location and options for evenings out. Our family holiday checklist helps you compare specific facilities and arrangements.

Weather and facilities outside summer

This article does not contain comparable data for a precise comparison of temperature and humidity at the two resorts. Check a local forecast before travelling. Tourist descriptions are also not a basis for choosing a climate to treat a medical condition.

At the start or end of the season, confirm that the hotel services you need will be operating, including pool heating if relevant. A hotel may be open even when some summer services are unavailable.

Getting there and holiday costs

For both resorts, consider Antalya Airport (AYT) and request a transfer quote to each hotel’s address. Compare private and shared transfers, and public transport if the timetable suits you. Our airport guide helps you account for waiting, stops and connections.

Add meals, excursions and local transport to the room price. For frequent walks around the ancient centre, look for accommodation in Side; for Phaselis and outings around Kemer, look in the Kemer area. If you will spend most of your time at the hotel, its beach, room and confirmed facilities will be the deciding factors.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and editorial notes

Destination facts and climate figures are linked to the sources below. Booking checklists and comparisons are editorial guidance, not hotel inspections. Confirm changing services directly before booking.

• Antalya Airport: transport

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