A Roman theatre and cool waterfalls in one day sounds like a win—and that’s exactly the mix here. You’ll start with the Ancient City of Side and the Temple of Apollo, then move to Aspendos for one of Turkey’s best-preserved Roman venues, before finishing at Kursunlu Waterfalls.

I love that the tour includes lunch and makes it easy logistically with free hotel pickup and drop-off. I also like that the first stops in Side (including the Side ruins area and the Temple of Apollo) are covered with free admissions, so your day starts without extra ticket math.

One real consideration: the schedule packs a lot into a 9-hour day, and the day can get very hot, with limited sitting and shade around the ruins. If you’re sensitive to heat—or traveling with very young kids—you’ll want to go in prepared and expect a brisk pace.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Free Side and Apollo admissions keep costs down early in the day
• Aspendos Theatre and Kursunlu Waterfalls tickets are extra (budget for them)
• Lunch is included, but drinks aren’t
• Group size stays smallish (maximum 27), which helps with flow
• Shopping stops can feel sales-heavy if you want zero-pressure browsing
• Heat is the main challenge, especially at Side ruins

A 9-Hour Alanya Loop Through Side, Aspendos, and Kursunlu

This is a full-day run designed for people who want a lot of “wow” in one outing: Roman scale at Aspendos, ancient streets at Side, and a nature reset at Kursunlu. The route is classic for this region because these sites sit close enough to each other to fit into one long day without feeling like you’re always stuck on the road.

You’ll get a guided walkthrough at each main stop, and you’ll also get some time on your own—enough to look, take photos, and buy a few souvenirs if that’s your thing. The big theme is balance: history plus a break in the middle, rather than doing only museum-style stops.

That said, it’s still a tour day. Expect walking, occasional waits, and transitions where you’re moving as a group rather than lingering wherever you’d like.

Pickup Timing, Bus Comfort, and How the Day Gets Rolling

The tour starts at 8:30 am, with pickup from your hotel security gate. That detail matters: if you wait until the last minute or wander off after breakfast, you can miss the window and create delays for everyone—including you.

Transportation is by bus, and the overall setup is meant to be comfortable. One downside that shows up in feedback: some buses don’t have air-conditioning, and on hot days that turns the ride into a slow-boil situation. If you’re heat sensitive, plan accordingly—water, hat, and light clothing make a difference.

Also note that the pace can feel tight. In a few experiences, people reported schedule confusion or extra time lost around pickup or switching vehicles. You can’t control that, but you can reduce stress by staying ready at pickup time and keeping your confirmation details handy.

Side Ancient City: Easy First Steps and Great Souvenir Energy

Side is your first stop, with about 1 hour to explore the ancient city area. Since the admission here is marked as free, you’re not starting your day paying for tickets. This first stretch works well for people who like to get oriented fast: you can see the scale of the historic town and spot the spots you’ll want to return to later on your own.

What I like about doing Side early is momentum. By the time Aspendos arrives, you already understand the setting: carved stone, Roman-era building habits, and the feeling of a town that once served as a hub.

A practical tip: Side has plenty of shops, and there’s strong “souvenir browsing” energy built in. If you want to pick up small gifts, I’d focus your shopping here rather than later when you’re tired.

Temple of Apollo in Side: When the Guide Turns Stone Into Stories

Next is the Temple of Apollo, about 2 hours on the ground. Admission here is also listed as free, and this stop is often treated as the highlight because it hits that sweet spot: big visual impact plus enough time to actually look around.

This is where the guide’s style matters. Some guides bring the history in a theatrical, orator-like way—one description even mentioned a roman-orator vibe. Even if you don’t catch every word, the structure of the talk helps you understand what you’re seeing: why this temple mattered, how the site fits into the ancient city, and what details to look for.

If you’re short on energy, don’t skip the Apollo area. It’s a strong stop to anchor your day, and it’s the kind of place where a good guide makes you slow down for a moment instead of rushing through.

Aspendos Theatre: The Roman Masterpiece That’s Worth Planning Around

Aspendos Theatre is the big Roman draw. You’ll spend about 1 hour at the theatre and another 1 hour at the nearby Aspendos ruins area. The theatre ticket is not included, listed as €15.00 per person, so you’ll want that extra cost in mind from the start.

I love that this stop is timed so you can experience the theatre, then continue into the ruins without losing the day’s rhythm. Aspendos is famous for how well it’s been preserved, and the hour can feel like both enough and not enough—enough to see the main features, not enough to totally soak in every angle.

Two practical notes:

• Wear comfortable shoes. Stone and uneven ground don’t care that it’s a sightseeing day.
• If you’re planning photos, show up with a little patience. Everyone wants the same angles.

There’s also an Aspendos Bridge stop along the way. Expect it more like a photo/time break than a full activity, but it can help break up the walk from site to site.

Aspendos Ruins: Walkable Atmosphere, Limited Shade, and Quick Stops

After the theatre, you’ll get 1 hour at the Aspendos ruins area. Admission here is also not included, but the value comes from what the guide points out while you walk. This is the part of the day where you trade “big iconic view” for “wandering and reading the stone,” which some people love more than the theatre itself.

The catch is heat and comfort. Around the ruins, there can be limited shade and few long sit-down breaks. If you’re traveling in high temperatures, this is where you’ll feel it most. I’d treat this as your reminder to hydrate and take short pauses rather than pushing through out of stubbornness.

If you’re traveling with kids, the ruins are still workable because the walking is relatively light compared to some archaeological sites. But the pace can feel fast if you’re trying to keep little legs moving between brief stops.

Kursunlu Waterfalls: A One-Hour Nature Reset You Should Budget Energy For

Your final major sight is Kursunlu Waterfalls, with about 1 hour there. The waterfall ticket is listed as €2.00 per person, not included in the tour price.

This is the “cool down” chapter of the story, but don’t expect it to erase the heat from earlier. The day is still packed, and you’ll likely move straight from ruins into nature without the chance to fully reset. If you’re sensitive to hot weather, bring water and consider a hat that actually shades your face.

Also, waterfalls tours depend on conditions. If it’s blazing hot, the area can feel less refreshing than the name suggests. Still, it’s a nice contrast to Roman stone—your eyes get a different kind of texture and your legs get a different kind of walk.

Lunch Included: Tasty Break, Drinks Not Included

Lunch is included, and the food is described as delicious and fresh in feedback. You’ll have a real chance to sit and refuel in the middle of the day, which is a big deal on a 9-hour itinerary.

Drinks are not included, so plan for buying water or soft drinks on top of the tour price. If you tend to get thirsty fast, grab water early rather than waiting until you feel behind.

The lunch stop also often acts like a timing buffer. You’ll come back from the meal ready to handle the final stretch without the “everyone is melting” feeling.

Shopping Stops: Jewellery and Turkish Delight Timing (and How to Handle It)

One of the most discussed parts of the experience is shopping. In some versions of the day, the group is taken into a jewellery store, and there’s also a Turkish delight factory shop stop.

To be blunt: if you hate being pressured to look at expensive items, this can feel frustrating. A common complaint is that sales staff won’t give space and that the shopping eats time you’d rather spend at sites.

On the other hand, there’s a less intense option within this setup: if you treat the Turkish delight stop as a quick tasting-and-buy moment, it can be fun and low-stress. The key is to decide your mindset ahead of time. If you’re happy to browse for gifts, you’ll probably enjoy it more. If you’re not, keep your browsing short and then refocus on the next sight.

Language in Real Life: English Is Listed, But Expect Variations

The tour is listed as offered in English, and pickup includes a professional guide. Still, reviews mention that some departures run mainly in other languages (like Russian or Polish), even when English is requested, and there can be extra switching or explanation through multiple guides.

So here’s my practical advice: treat the English offering as the goal, not a guarantee on every single departure. If language matters a lot for you, ask ahead what language the guide will actually use for your date, and be ready to follow along even if the narration isn’t purely English.

The good news is that even when language shifts, the sites still communicate visually, and the guide’s pointing and timing help you stay oriented.

Family-Friendly, But Heat Makes or Breaks It

This tour is described as family friendly, and it can work well even with a young child. The key is that Side and Aspendos involve walking in open areas, and Kursunlu adds another stretch before you’re fully cooled down.

If you’re bringing kids, I’d plan around rhythm:

• Short pauses every so often, not just at official breaks
• Hats and light layers
• Snacks if your child needs them (lunch is included, but kids can get hungry between stops)

One positive detail from feedback: guides can be interactive and supportive with children. If you notice the guide engaging, lean into it—kids often enjoy it more when the history is explained in a human way.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Prefer a Different Plan)

You’ll likely enjoy this tour if you:

• Want major Roman sights (Aspendos) plus a classic ancient-city walk (Side) in one day
• Like guided explanations more than self-guided wandering
• Appreciate a structure that includes pickup, lunch, and planned time at each stop

You might want a different plan if you:

• Hate shopping stops or want a no-pressure itinerary
• Get overwhelmed by long days with limited shade
• Need a very slow pace at archaeological sites

Also, the tour asks for moderate physical fitness. It’s not extreme hiking, but it is still a day of walking and transitions.

Value for $54.06: What You Pay For, and What’s Extra

At $54.06 per person, the value is strongest when you look at what’s included:

• Free hotel pickup and drop-off
• Professional guide
• Lunch included
• Free admissions for Side and Temple of Apollo

Then factor in what’s extra:

• Aspendos Theatre: €15.00 per person (not included)
• Kursunlu Waterfalls: €2.00 per person (not included)
• Drinks (not included)

So your real “all-in” spend is going to be tour price plus about €17 worth of site tickets, then whatever you choose for drinks. In practical terms, that still makes sense for most people because Aspendos Theatre is a major ticketed highlight, and the tour handles transportation and guidance.

If you don’t mind paying a couple site fees and you want a smooth one-day route, this is good value.

Should You Book This Alanya to Aspendos, Kursunlu, and Side Tour?

I’d book it if you want one day to cover the region’s greatest hits with a guide, lunch, and hotel pickup. The Temple of Apollo stop and Aspendos Theatre are the kind of experiences that justify an extra ticket fee, and the lunch break helps you survive the heat.

I’d think twice if your priority is lots of quiet time at ruins, zero shopping pressure, or guaranteed language matching. The tour can also run hot and fast, so it rewards people who travel prepared.

If you do book, go with a clear plan: bring water, wear good shoes, and decide in advance whether you’ll enjoy the shopping stops or prefer to move through them quickly.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 8:30 am.

Where do hotel pickups happen?

Pickup is from your hotel security gate.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 9 hours.

Is lunch included, and are drinks included?

Lunch is included, but drinks are not included.

Are the Aspendos Theatre and Kursunlu Waterfalls tickets included?

No. Aspendos Theatre costs €15.00 per person and Kursunlu Waterfalls costs €2.00 per person, and both are not included.

Which site admissions are free?

The tour lists admission as free for Side Ancient City and Apollon Temple (Temple of Apollo).

Is this tour suitable for families and kids?

Yes, it’s described as family friendly, and the overall walking is manageable for many families, though it does include time outdoors.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is listed as offered in English, but some departures may involve other languages based on past experiences.

How many people are in a group?

The maximum group size is 27 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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