Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Side
A resort on the Turkish Riviera east of Antalya, where hotels and beaches sit around an ancient harbour town.
Best time to visit: May–June and September–October; July and August often pass 35°C.
Local tip: Visit the ruins in the late afternoon; they're next to the sea and cooler then.
Getting around: Minibuses (dolmuş) run between the old town and hotels; Antalya airport is about an hour away.
Good to know: The sea is warm enough for swimming from May to early November.
What to plan your trip around
- Temple of Apollo
Seaside columns that are lit up at sunset.
- Side Ancient Theatre
A large Roman theatre in the old town.
- Manavgat Waterfall
A wide, low waterfall a short drive inland.
- Aspendos
One of the best-preserved Roman theatres, about 40 minutes away.
Side weather by month
Side weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Side gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°C | 4°C | 183 mm | 76% |
| February | 13°C | 5°C | 95 mm | 73% |
| March | 16°C | 7°C | 75 mm | 69% |
| April | 20°C | 10°C | 46 mm | 66% |
| May | 24°C | 14°C | 54 mm | 65% |
| June | 29°C | 18°C | 21 mm | 59% |
| July | 34°C | 22°C | 5 mm | 49% |
| August | 34°C | 22°C | 6 mm | 47% |
| September | 31°C | 19°C | 33 mm | 51% |
| October | 24°C | 14°C | 74 mm | 59% |
| November | 19°C | 9°C | 65 mm | 64% |
| December | 13°C | 6°C | 150 mm | 72% |
Side through the year
January · 11° / 4°C · 183 mm
- It's wetter than a typical month in Side — roughly 172% more rain than average.
- It's one of the greyest months, with cloud cover near 63%.
April · 20° / 10°C · 46 mm
- Comfortable temperatures make it easy to walk between Manavgat Waterfall and Temple of Apollo.
- It warms up quickly from here: by May highs are about 4°C higher.
July · 34° / 22°C · 5 mm
- It's one of the drier months, with about 93% less rain than Side's average.
- July is Side's second warmest month.
October · 24° / 14°C · 74 mm
- Comfortable temperatures make it easy to walk between Temple of Apollo and Side Ancient Theatre.
- It cools down fast from here: November is about 6°C cooler.
The best time to visit Side is April, May and June, when average highs are 20–29°C and rainfall is around 40 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Side, season by season
December – February
Rainy12° / 5°C · 143 mm
The wettest part of the year. Showers are likely, so pack a rain jacket and keep plans flexible.
March – May
Best time20° / 10°C · 58 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
June – August
Hot32° / 21°C · 11 mm
Very hot days. Plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings and keep the afternoon for shade or the beach.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Side?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Side in April, May and June. Average highs are then 20–29°C.
- Why is April a good time to visit Side?
- In April, Side averages 20°C by day and 10°C at night, with about 46 mm of rain and 46% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Side?
- August is the warmest month in Side, with average highs of 34°C and lows of 22°C.
- What is the coldest month in Side?
- January is the coldest month in Side: average highs of 11°C, dropping to 4°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Side?
- January is the wettest month in Side with about 183 mm of rain. The driest is July, with around 5 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Side?
- January is the least pleasant month in Side, with average highs of just 11°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Side?
- Yes. March sits just outside the best months for Side, with average highs of 16°C and about 75 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, it is a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Side before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Side from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
Cite or embed this data
Writing about this destination? Copy a ready-made citation or embed a live widget — free, just keep the link.
Best time to visit Side. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/turkey/side
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/turkey/side">Best time to visit Side</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/turkey/side" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Best time to visit Side"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/turkey/side">Best time to visit Side</a> – WeatherCompare</p>