Side, the most crucial port city of Pamphylia in ancient times, is located 80 kilometers east of Antalya and seven kilometers southwest of Manavgat, on a peninsula 350-400 meters wide.

The side became a settlement center in the seventh century BC. In the sixth century BC, it came under the sovereignty of Pamphylia and the Kingdom of Lydia. The city, which existed under the authority of Alexander the Great for a while, constantly changed hands between the Hellenistic Period kingdoms after Alexander's death. In later periods, the city was ruled under the Pergamon Kingdom, Rome, and the Eastern Roman Empire.