Side, where is 65 km from Antalya and 7 km from Manavgat, is located on a peninsula with a length around 1 km and a width of 400 m. The name ‘Side' means ‘pomegranate' in an ancient Anatolian language. This feature, accompanying with the information obtained from some inscriptions found in the district shows us that history of Side is extended as far as Hittites.But Side, which is one of the oldest habitations in Anatolia, also has been told to be established before 7th century BC. Side passed through the same phases as the other Pamphylian towns throughout the Anatolian history. During the migrations in the 7th century BC, Greeks came to Side. According to the inscriptions, they spoke a local language characteristic to the city until 3rd century BC. This was an Indo-European language not completely deciphered until today.

Side, which was under the reign of Lydians in the first half of the 6th century BC, was invaded by Persians in 547-546 BC. Developing under Persian rule, city was surrendered to Alexander the Great in 334 BC.After the death of Alexander, Side was ruled by Antigonos, one of his generals (323-304 BC), and two hellenistic dynasties ; Ptolemies (301-215 BC) and Seleucids after 215 BC. In 2nd century BC, supported by the strong military and merchant fleet of the Ptolemies, Side experienced the most splendid era in its history, developed and reconstructed in a short time and became a center of culture and science. After the Peace Treaty of Apemeia in 188 BC, Side became a part of the Kingdom of Pergamum, keeping independence together with East Pamphylian region, reached prosperity and wealth with its enormous merchant fleet. After 78 BC, the city became part of the Roman Empire and was a center of commerce in 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. Especially based on slave trade, the city experienced a wealthy and prosperous period. During the 2nd century BC, Side was a cultural and scientific center. Antiochos VII, one of the Seleucid kings, was educated here before his enthronement. During his reign,(138 BC) he named as ‘Sidetes'.
The people of Side, who were believing and worshipping gods leading with Athena and Apollo; Aphrodite, Ares, Asclepius, Hygieia, Charites, Demeter, Dionysos, Hermes etc. were started to christianise in 4th century AD. After becaming the Metropolis of Eastern Pamphlia (Bishopric) in 5th century AD, Side passed through a flourishing period on 5th and 6th centuries. This development era was ended with Arabian incursions through 7th and 9th centuries. During the excavations, traces of an enormous fire and many earthquakes were found. Arabian attacks and natural disasters caused the city to be abandoned . In 12th century, Arabian geographer Idrisi described Side like a ghost town and defined as ‘Burnt Antalya'. According to Idrisi, people of Side migrated around 1150 and town was completely evacuated in 12th century.
Side was part of Seljuki land on 13th century, and taken by Hamitoğulları and Tekelioğulları, (Turkoman tribes) on 14th century, no settlement was observed on this era. Finally in 15th century, the city was a Turkish territory. But neither Seljuks nor Ottomans lived in Side, there are no remains from their periods in the whole area.

In 1895, a village is established on a part of peninsula and migrants from Crete were settled here. The village growed throughout the years passed and expanded the whole peninsula. With antique edifices accompanying village houses with characteristic architecture in the same place was the main reason of Side, named as ‘Selimiye' later, known as a touristic site. Side is a town keeping many remains from many different ages of history.

Monuments in Side:
City Walls, Great Town Gate, East Gate, Aqueducts, Monumental Fountain, Colonnaded Street, Houses, Agora, Monumental Library and State Agora, Bishops Palace and Basilica, Vespasian Fountain, Three-Pond Fountain (nymphaeum), Theater, Temple of Men (moon god), Temple of Dionysos, Great Harbour Bath, Harbour Bath, Temple of Apollo, Temple of Athena, Side Harbour, Side Museum.

Side Museum was established in a Roman bath complex with some restorations in recent time. Entrance of the museum is from a gate in the east side. Then, passing thru a stone floored courtyard, appears to be the second tepiderium of the bath, reached to a big garden. Around and inside this courtyard, there are sarchophagi, columns, busts, torsos, inscriptions, sculptures, statue bases, capitals, friezes, reliefs and steles. Museum garden was actually the courtyard of the gymnasium and palaestra of the Roman bath. The most important work in these marble floored courtyards is a series of friezes about the mythological stories of Poseidon, god of the sea, found on the northern wall. Here described the relations of gods and goddesses with nature.