An Aspendos tour is the best history day out on the Antalya coast. In one trip you see the Roman city of Perge, the Aspendos theatre, one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world, and the seaside ruins of Side, often with a waterfall on the way home.
Quick answer: guided Perge, Aspendos and Side tours from Antalya start from about £16 per person online, with hotel pickup and lunch, but on the cheapest options the entrance fees are paid on the day: about €15 for Aspendos and €11 for Perge in 2026, while the streets of Side’s old town are free to walk. Expect a full day of 8–10 hours. If you are staying in Side, choose a tour that starts there and includes the tickets.
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Aspendos tour: quick facts
| What you see | Perge (Roman city), the Aspendos theatre, Side old town and Temple of Apollo; many tours add the Manavgat or Kurşunlu waterfall |
| Length of the day | Usually 8–10 hours with hotel pickup |
| Tour price online | From about £16 per person from Antalya (fees extra), or about £42 from Side with entrance fees included |
| Entrance fees (2026) | Aspendos about €15, Perge about €11; the Side ruins about €7, with the Roman theatre listed as closed on the 2026 Ministry fee list; the old town streets are free to walk |
| Where the sites are | Perge is just east of Antalya, Aspendos is close to Belek and Serik, and Side is further east near Manavgat |
| What to bring | Comfortable shoes, a hat, sun cream, water and some euros or lira for fees not included |
Is an Aspendos, Perge and Side tour worth it?
Yes, if you enjoy history even a little. The Aspendos theatre still stands almost complete after nearly 2,000 years and is still used for performances, Perge has long colonnaded streets you can walk along, and the Temple of Apollo in Side is one of the most photographed sights on the coast, especially at sunset. Compared with Pamukkale, the drives are short, so you spend most of the day at the sites rather than on a coach.
- Best for: couples, families with older children and anyone who wants one cultural day on an all-inclusive holiday.
- Think twice if: you are visiting in July or August and dislike heat. The sites have very little shade, so choose a tour that starts early or go in spring or autumn.
- Staying in Belek? Aspendos is close to the Belek hotels, so you are on the doorstep of the main sight.
Aspendos, Perge and Side entrance fees
This is where the cheapest tours catch people out. Many show a low headline price because the entrance fees are not included and are paid in cash on the day. In 2026, expect about €15 for the Aspendos theatre and €11 for Perge. That is about €26 per person for the two, or €33 if the tour also enters the Side ruins (about €7). The streets of Side’s old town are free to walk, while the Roman theatre is listed as closed on the 2026 Ministry fee list, so check which parts are open before you plan a visit inside. Some tour options include the tickets, which is simpler, so compare the total price rather than the headline price.
The Museum Pass The Mediterranean costs €90 per person for 7 days and covers over 40 museums and sites in Antalya, Mersin, Adana and Denizli, on the Ministry’s turkishmuseums.com page (checked 4 November 2026). That is much more than the €26 for Aspendos and Perge, so the pass only pays off if you visit many more covered sites in the same week.
Choosing an Aspendos tour
These are the well-reviewed options we would look at, depending on where you are staying:
| Tour | Why consider it |
|---|---|
| Perge, Aspendos, Side & Manavgat Waterfall tour | Rated 4.8 from over 1,600 reviews; hotel pickup from Antalya, guide and lunch; entrance fees optional (about €26 on the day for Aspendos and Perge if not included); from about £16 |
| From Side: Perge, Aspendos & Kurşunlu Waterfall | Rated 4.9 from over 170 reviews; pickup from Side hotels; entrance fees, lunch and a licensed guide included; from about £42 |
| Perge, Aspendos & Side guided tour with waterfall | Rated 4.8; similar day from Antalya with a smaller number of reviews; from about £16 |
| Day tour of ancient Roman sites from Antalya | Rated 4.8 from about 350 reviews; a higher-priced option (about US$84) for travellers who want a more in-depth guided day |
Whichever you choose, check three things: whether the entrance fees are included, whether the tour picks up from your resort, and how long you get at Aspendos and in Side. Some cheaper tours also include a shopping stop; you never have to buy anything. Our Antalya scams guide explains the common tour traps.
What you see on the day
- Perge. A large Roman city with a colonnaded main street, baths, a stadium and city gates. It is flat but exposed, so bring a hat.
- The Aspendos theatre. Built in the 2nd century AD and famous for its acoustics and almost complete stage building. Climb to the upper rows for the best view.
- Side. A pretty old town on a small peninsula, with the Roman theatre, the ancient harbour and the Temple of Apollo by the sea.
- A waterfall. Many tours finish at the Manavgat or Kurşunlu waterfall, a cool, shady stop after a hot day.
Visiting Aspendos, Perge and Side on your own
With a hire car you can visit at your own pace and arrive before the coaches. The sites are all on or near the main coast road east of Antalya, the roads are good and there is parking near each site. Our Antalya Airport car hire guide explains what UK drivers need. If you are staying in Side, the old town is walkable or a short taxi ride from most hotels.
Aspendos tour tips
- Go early or late in summer: the middle of the day is very hot and there is little shade at Perge and Aspendos.
- Carry some euros or lira in cash if your tour does not include the entrance fees; read euros or lira in Turkey.
- Wear proper shoes: ancient stones are uneven and slippery when polished by millions of visitors.
- Visit the Temple of Apollo in Side late in the day for the best light.
Planning your Aspendos day
A Perge, Aspendos and Side day is one of the best-value excursions on the Antalya coast. Choose a well-reviewed tour that picks up from your resort, check whether the entrance fees are included, and go early in summer. From Side, a tour with the tickets included is the easiest option. For more ideas, see our guide to the best things to do in Antalya.
FAQ: Aspendos tour
How much is the entrance fee for Aspendos?
In 2026 the Aspendos theatre costs about €15 per adult and Perge about €11. Some tours include the tickets and others collect them in cash on the day, so check before you book.
How long is a Perge, Aspendos and Side tour?
Most guided tours from Antalya, Belek or Side take 8–10 hours including hotel pickup, lunch and often a waterfall stop.
Is Aspendos worth visiting?
Yes. The Aspendos theatre is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world and is still used for performances. Combined with Perge and Side, it makes one of the best history days on the Turkish Riviera.
Can I visit Aspendos from Belek?
Yes. Aspendos is close to the Belek hotels, so it is an easy half-day by taxi or hire car, or part of a full-day tour with pickup.
Is the Temple of Apollo in Side free?
We cannot confirm it is free: the Ministry fee list has no separate entry for the temple. The streets of Side old town are free to walk, the list shows about €7 for the Side ruins and lists the Roman theatre as closed, so ask at the site which parts need a ticket.
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Sources: tour details, ratings and prices from GetYourGuide listings; entrance fees from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism fee list and tour operators’ 2026 listings; Museum Pass price from the Ministry’s turkishmuseums.com page; background on the theatre from Wikipedia’s Aspendos article. Tour prices checked on 29 October 2026; entrance fees checked on 10 November 2026. Fees in Turkey change often, so always check before you go.
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