Which resort is better - Side or Kemer? We are talking about vacation in 2021. We compare beaches, weather and attractions, prices for tours, hotels, food, excursions and transport rental.
Tours
Most of the holidaymakers come to Turkey on a tour. We have analyzed the prices for tours to Side and Kemer for two people for 7 nights with a flight from Moscow.
Kemer. In the low season - from November to April - you can have an inexpensive vacation in Kemer. A ticket to a 3 * hotel costs from 33 thousand rubles. In summer, prices are slightly higher.
Prices of tours to Kemer in high season in 2021:
Side. In the off-season, a tour to a 5 * hotel costs the same, in the summer they pay for a trip to a 3 * hotel.
Prices of tours in Side in the high season in 2021:
Where is better. Both resort towns are located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and are in great demand among tourists. What to choose - Kemer or Side? If you want to save money, take a ticket to Kemer. For those who dream of combining a beach holiday with sightseeing tourism, we advise you to go to Side.
Beaches and sea
Where is the best place to relax by the sea - in Kemer or in Side?
Kemer. The resort has excellent pebble beaches. The hotels have sections of the coast, which are covered with clean imported sand. Choose Kemer if you like well-rounded pebbles.
Side famous for its wonderful sandy beaches, so the resort is perfect for families with children. In addition to sand, the coastline in Side has pebble beaches, wooden piers and rocky coves.
What's better. Both resorts are not very far from Antalya. Side is 66 km away from the airport, and Kemer is 46 km away.
Where is the sea cleaner - in Side or in Kemer? There isn't much difference. Thanks to the pebbles, the water in Kemer is more transparent - even at depth, the seabed is clearly visible.
Public beaches are free everywhere. The beach areas that are owned by the hotels are open to guests only. However, getting access to a private beach is not at all difficult. It is enough to buy a drink at the hotel bar.
Both resorts have excellent beach infrastructure. The coast is carefully looked after, therefore almost all the beaches of Kemer and Side are marked with the Blue Flag. Renting a set of two sun loungers and parasols for a day costs TRY 10-15, and towels - TRY 5.
Weather and climate
The weather on the southern coast of Turkey is determined by the mild Mediterranean climate. The warmest resorts in the country are located here. From June to October, when the water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea is +21 ... + 26 ° С, many tourists come to Kemer and Side.
Kemer is located south of Side, so the air and sea water are slightly warmer there. The resort is less humid than neighboring Antalya. Monsoons are not pronounced. The coast is sunny and dry almost all year round. There are cool currents near Kemer, and sometimes there are storms.
Side. Stormy weather in Side is rare. Summers are long and hot, and precipitation is infrequent.
Where is better. In both resorts, the beach season kicks off in April, but the Mediterranean waters are still cold for swimming in mid-spring. Mass swims start in early summer. What to choose for a vacation in June - Kemer or Side? Do not hesitate, it will be good everywhere! Also excellent weather in September: in Side +26 ... + 28 ° С, and in Kemer +23 ... + 27 ° С. The holiday season ends in early November.
Vacation prices
Let's compare where it is cheaper to stay in Turkey - in Side or Kemer.
Accommodation prices. Side has many luxury 5 * hotel complexes with a high level of service, water parks and swimming pools. There are old hotels that used to have five stars, but now they are classified as 3-4 * hotels. There are few cheap apartments and guesthouses.
Kemer has more new hotels, so the most comfortable hotels in this resort are more expensive. Many hotels have spacious grounds, are on the first line and receive tourists all year round.
Prices for a double room in Side and Kemer at the peak of the tourist season 2021:
| Side | Kemer | |
| Hotel 1-2 * | 25€ | 30€ |
| Hotel 3 * | 35€ | 30€ |
| Hotel 4 * | 83€ | 62€ |
| Hotel 5 * | 113€ | 140€ |
| Guesthouse | 25€ | 32€ |
Food prices. Food in Side and Kemer costs the same. A serving of fast food is TRY 10-15, and a spaghetti lunch with sauce and salad is TRY 40. Tourists love Turkish kebabs and markets that sell inexpensive vegetables and fruits. Look for budget establishments away from the beaches. In cafes and restaurants where locals eat, food is 30% cheaper. Food prices in Turkey →
- 8 best restaurants in Side
- 7 best restaurants in Kemer
Excursion prices... Both resorts offer interesting excursions in Russian. A sightseeing tour in Antalya costs 30 €, a trip to Cappadocia - 70 € from Side and 110 € from Kemer, a quad bike safari - 32-50 €.
Transport rental prices... A weekly rental of an economy class car will cost 1900-2200 TRY. There is no difference between the two resorts.
Sights
Look for excursions on the Tripster website - there are collected unique author's tours that will show the resorts from a new perspective.
People go to Turkey not only for a beach holiday. Where are the more attractions - in Side or in Kemer?
Kemer. The seaside resort has grown from small villages. The ancient city of Phaselis is 10 km away. Drive to ancient Olympos, Beldibi cave complex and take the cable car up to Mount Tahtali. What to see in Kemer >>
Side. Thanks to its picturesque ruins, the seaside town is called an open-air museum. Explore the stone ruins and city walls of the Old Side, visit the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the aqueduct and the magnificent Roman amphitheater.
What's better. There are many interesting things in both Turkish resorts, but Side wins in the number of ancient monuments. From Kemer, tourists are happy to travel to Pamukkale, Demre, Mira and Kekova.
Where is better - in Side or Kemer
Turkish resorts differ little in terms of conditions and cost of rest. Tours in Side are slightly more expensive.
The price of housing in Side depends on the chosen location. If you are looking for budget options, stay in hotels and apartments on the headland, in the historic center and away from the beaches.
Young people settle in some hotels of Kemer, while in others - connoisseurs of quiet rest. Youth hotels are usually located near entertainment, and family hotels are located outside the city. To make the right choice, read the reviews of tourists!
Where is it better to go with children - to Kemer or Side? Not far from the park "Yoruk" in Kemer is the beach and park complex "Moonlight". Relax on the excellent sandy beach and visit the dolphinarium. For a family trip, the "Ecopark" in Tekirova and the Park of Dinosaurs in the Goynuk village are good. From Side, drive to the picturesque Green Canyon and entertainment centers of Antalya and Alanya.
Nature lovers love both resorts. There are many dense pine forests in Kemer. The shade from the trees and the fresh sea breezes make the heat easier to bear. The beautiful Manavgat waterfall is located 3 km from Side.
Turkish resorts attract everyone who likes to combine swimming in the sea with active recreation. Boat trips, fishing, diving, rafting, jeep safari, yachting and parasailing are popular in Side and Kemer.
