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Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsKumköy: Side's sandy West Beach
Kumköy is the resort area just west of Side old town, about 63 km and 65 minutes from Antalya Airport. It mixes mid-size hotels, apartments and resorts along a wide sandy beach that slopes gently, with a busy main street of shops, restaurants and bars. For many families it is a good mid-budget base: the beach is easy, and the old town is a walk or a short dolmuş ride away.
Where to stay in and around Kumköy
Bookings often say only Side. Kumköy is the stretch between Çolaklı to the west and the old town to the east; where exactly you stay decides whether you walk or ride.
| Area | Character | Beach | Best for | From AYT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumköy beach | Hotels and resorts directly on the West Beach, many with their own beach area | Wide sand, gently sloping, water sports | Families, beach-first holidays | 1 h 5 min |
| Kumköy centre & main street | Apartments and smaller hotels a few minutes from the sea, shops, restaurants and bars | A short walk to the same sandy beach | Mid budgets, apartments, couples who like to eat out | 1 h 5 min |
| Side old town | Narrow streets inside the ancient walls, guesthouses and small hotels, busy in the evenings | East and West Beach just outside the walls | Couples, sightseeing, evenings among the ruins | 1 h 10 min |
Times are daytime drives from Antalya Airport.
Things to do
Kumköy beach
Side's West Beach runs past Kumköy for kilometres: wide, sandy and shallow for the first metres, so small children can paddle safely. Hotels and beach bars rent sunbeds; parasailing, jet skis and banana boats are on offer in summer. The sea can get wavy in the afternoon when the wind picks up.
The main street
The main street through Kumköy is lined with supermarkets, pharmacies, clothes and souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. It is lively on summer evenings without being a party strip, and prices are usually lower than in the old town harbour.
Side old town
From the eastern end of Kumköy you can walk along the beach into Side old town; from further west, take a dolmuş. Inside the walls are the Roman theatre, the Temple of Apollo on the shore, the museum and the harbour restaurants. See our Side guide for the details.
Boat trips, Manavgat and Aspendos
Boat trips leave from Side harbour for swim stops along the coast. On Monday and Thursday the large market in Manavgat is a short dolmuş ride away, and river boats run down the Manavgat river to the sea; see the Manavgat guide and market days. The Roman theatre of Aspendos, still used for concerts, is about 45 minutes west. More ideas under day trips.
Getting there and around
Antalya Airport is about 63 km and 65 minutes away along the D400; see the Antalya Airport to Kumköy transfer guide and all routes under airport transfers.
Dolmuş minibuses run along the main road between Çolaklı, Kumköy, Side and Manavgat every few minutes in summer. Taxis wait in the centre. A car is only useful for trips inland or to Aspendos on your own.
When to go
The beach season runs from May to October. July and August are hot and busy; June and September have warm sea and calmer streets, and spring suits sightseeing in Side and Aspendos. See the weather by month and estimate costs with the holiday budget calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kumköy part of Side?
Yes, it is the resort area directly west of Side old town, and hotels there are usually sold as Side.
Can I walk from Kumköy to Side old town?
From the eastern end, yes, along the beach. From the western hotels a dolmuş or taxi is easier.
Is Kumköy good for families?
Yes. The beach is wide, sandy and gently sloping, and the main street has everything you need within walking distance.
How far is Kumköy from Antalya Airport?
About 63 km, around 65 minutes by car in normal traffic.
Is Kumköy quieter than Side old town?
In the evenings, generally yes. Compare the region with its neighbours in Belek or Side and Side or Alanya.