Discover best things to do in Side Adventure Tours with us

The side is an adventure paradise. If you love the outdoors, this coastal town has surprises for you. Imagine riding through pine forests on horseback, feeling the wind on your face as you explore the quiet beaches. Or picture yourself on an ATV quad safari, racing through dirt trails surrounded by mountains. Side Tours has something for you, no matter what kind of traveler you are. Whether you are traveling with family, partner, or solo, these activities help you get out of your routine and make unforgettable memories. 

Side Adventure Tours

Top Things to Do in Side Adventure Tours

Looking for the best tours in the Side? These top-rated experiences offer the perfect combination of action, scenery, and excitement. Whether you want to ride through forests, explore canyons, or take on powerful rapids, these tours are designed to create unforgettable memories.

Side Horseback Riding – Ride Through Forests & Beach

There’s something special about riding a horse along the coastline, listening to the waves while the sun sets in the distance. This peaceful yet exciting horseback riding tour takes you through pine forests and golden beaches to connect with nature in a way few other activities can.

  • For beginners and experienced riders
  • Guided tour with an expert instructor
  • Breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere
  • Roundtrip transfers included

Book your Side Horse Riding Tour here.

ATV Quad Safari – Off-Road Adventure in Side Countryside

The ATV Quad Safari is a must for those who like speed and adventure. Imagine riding through dusty trails, splashing through muddy paths and tackling rough off-road tracks—this tour is all about action.

  • Drive your own quad bike through rugged landscapes
  • No prior experience needed—easy to learn
  • Stops at scenic spots for photos
  • A fun way to explore Side’s countryside

Sapadere Canyon & Waterfall Tour – Off-Road Adventure

If you like stunning views and fresh mountain air, this Sapadere Canyon tour is for you. A 4x4 Jeep Safari will take you through hidden mountain roads, local villages, and breathtaking waterfalls where you can dip your feet in crystal-clear water.

  • Scenic drive through the Taurus Mountains
  • Explore hidden waterfalls and swim in natural pools
  • Turkish BBQ lunch included
  • Family and nature-friendly

Alanya Tazi Canyon & River Rafting Combo Tour

Tazi Canyon & River Rafting – The Combo Tour

If you want a mix of adrenaline and scenery, this Tazi Canyon & River Rafting Tour is the way to go. You’ll hike to one of Turkey’s most beautiful viewpoints before heading to the Köprülü River for a thrilling rafting experience.

  • Hike to the Tazi Canyon cliffs
  • Raft through rapids with expert guides
  • BBQ lunch by the river
  • For thrill-seekers and nature lovers

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Local secrets to save you time and money.

1

Book Rafting for Early May

Spring snowmelt from the Taurus peaks raises the Köprüçay River to its most exciting levels in late April through May. Class IV rapids are at full power, the canyon walls echo with rushing water, and the crowds are a fraction of July's numbers. You'll get the wildest ride of the season and the best photos without competing for raft space.
2

Combo Two Activities in One Day

Most operators offer discounted combo packages. The most popular pairing is morning rafting followed by an afternoon quad-bike tour, with BBQ lunch in between. You save 15 to 25% versus booking separately, and the day flows naturally from water to land without any wasted transfer time.
3

Wear Clothes You Don't Mind Losing

Rafting, canyoning, and buggy safaris will drench, muddy, or dust-coat everything you wear. Skip the new activewear and bring old shorts, a faded t-shirt, and secure water shoes or strapped sandals. Operators provide wetsuits for canyoning but everything else is on you. Stains are souvenirs.
4

Pre Order Your GoPro Footage

Guides on rafting and canyoning trips carry GoPro cameras and offer professional edited footage for around 200 to 300 TRY. Tell your guide at the start that you want footage. They'll make sure to capture your best moments, biggest splashes, and highest cliff jumps rather than just the scenery.
5

Carry Only a Waterproof Pouch

Leave valuables in your hotel safe. Bring only your phone in the provided waterproof pouch, about 100 to 200 TRY in cash for tips and village drinks, and sunscreen. Towels, lockers, and water bottles are all available at the base camp. The less you carry, the easier the river crossings.

About Side Adventure Tours

Side Adventure Tours transport you from the ancient Mediterranean coastline into the raw wilderness of the Taurus Mountains and Manavgat River valley. The collection covers whitewater rafting through Class III to IV rapids, quad-biking across dusty highland trails, canyoning through hidden gorges, paragliding over turquoise waters, and off-road buggy safaris through pine-scented forests. Most adventure operators depart from Side's central meeting points and supply all safety equipment, professional guides, and round-trip hotel transfers. You can switch from beach lounger to full-throttle explorer in under an hour.
Address Various departure points across Side, Manavgat, Antalya Province, Turkey
Also Known As Side Outdoor Adventures, Manavgat Valley Extreme Sports, Taurus Mountain Adventures
Year Opened Adventure tourism in this region began developing in the early 2000s, with professional operators establishing certified courses around 2005–2008
Founded By Multiple licensed adventure tourism operators regulated by Turkey's TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)
Annual Visitors Over 350,000 participants across all Side-based adventure activities annually
Expected Wait Time Pre-booking recommended during July–August peak season; same-day availability common in spring and autumn shoulder seasons (Peak)

Interesting Facts (Fun Facts)

Discover hidden secrets and stories.

The Köprülü Canyon, where most Side rafting trips take place, stretches 14 kilometres through a gorge that reaches depths of 400 metres. That makes it one of the deepest river canyons in Türkiye.
Quad-bike trails near Side climb to altitudes above 800 metres, where summer temperatures drop by 10 to 15 °C compared to the coast. It's a natural air-conditioning effect riders love.
Tandem paragliding flights from the mountains near Side reach altitudes of 1,200 metres, giving pilots and passengers a panoramic view stretching from the Taurus peaks to the Egyptian shoreline on exceptionally clear days.
Canyoning routes in the Taurus range include natural rock slides polished smooth over millennia and plunge pools averaging 15 to 18 °C even during Turkey's hottest summer months.
Bug safari buggies used on the Manavgat trails are purpose-built 400 cc vehicles with roll cages, passing through forest tracks, riverbed crossings, and citrus orchards on circuits covering 25 to 30 kilometres.

Why visit Side Adventure Tours?

Five Adventures, One Destination

Rafting, quad-biking, canyoning, paragliding, and buggy safaris all launch from Side. No destination-hopping required. You can stack two activities into a single day or spread them across your holiday for daily doses of adrenaline between beach sessions.

Taurus Mountain Playground

The Taurus Mountains rise directly behind Side, creating a natural adventure park of canyons, rivers, and forest trails. In less than 45 minutes from your hotel you transition from flat coastal scenery to rugged alpine terrain with rapids, cliff faces, and panoramic ridgelines.

Professional Safety Standards

All Side adventure operators hold TURSAB licences and carry mandatory liability insurance. Equipment is inspected daily, guides hold international certifications such as IRF for rafting and APPI for paragliding, and participant-to-guide ratios are capped for maximum safety without diluting the thrill.

Year Round Adventure Season

While summer is peak time, Side's mild Mediterranean climate keeps adventure activities running from April through November. Spring offers higher water levels for more intense rafting, autumn brings cooler trail temperatures ideal for quad-biking, and paragliding thermals peak in late summer. Every season has its standout experience.

Highlights

Whitewater Rafting Through Köprülü Canyon

Whitewater Rafting Through Köprülü Canyon

Paddle through 14 km of rapids on the Köprüçay River, flanked by 400-metre-deep canyon walls...
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Quad-Biking Across Taurus Mountain Trails

Quad-Biking Across Taurus Mountain Trails

Twist the throttle on a powerful 250 cc ATV and blast along red-dirt trails that...
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Canyoning in Hidden Taurus Gorges

Canyoning in Hidden Taurus Gorges

Abseil down moss-covered rock faces, slide through natural limestone chutes, and plunge into turquoise pools...
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Tandem Paragliding Over the Mediterranean

Tandem Paragliding Over the Mediterranean

Launch from a mountain plateau at over 700 metres and soar in tandem with a...
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Off-Road Buggy Safari Through Pine Forests

Off-Road Buggy Safari Through Pine Forests

Strap into a roll-cage-protected 400 cc buggy and blast through 25 km of forest tracks,...
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Plan your visit

Centralised check-in for most operators along Side Bulvarı in Manavgat. Safety briefings, equipment fitting, and group assembly happen here before transfer to activity sites.

Located directly at the canyon on the Köprüçay River, approximately 65 km north of Side. Some operators offer direct drop-off here for independent travellers.

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Included Equipment and Amenities
All safety gear including helmets, life jackets, wetsuits, and harnesses is provided. Changing rooms and lockers at base camps. Lunch or BBQ included on rafting and full-day tours. GoPro footage available for purchase. Waterproof phone pouches supplied.

Fitness and Accessibility

Rafting is suitable for ages 10 and up with basic swimming ability. Quad-biking requires a valid driving licence, age 18 and up. Canyoning is recommended for ages 14 and up with reasonable fitness. Paragliding is open to most body types with a tandem maximum of around 110 kg. Buggy safaris are suitable for ages 6 and up as passengers.

Restrictions and Requirements

Participants with heart conditions, epilepsy, or severe back/neck injuries should consult a doctor before booking. Pregnant travellers cannot participate. Alcohol consumption is prohibited before and during activities. Weather-dependent cancellations due to high winds or heavy rain result in a full refund or date change.

Each of these top tours in Side offers something unique, whether it’s off-road driving, canyon exploration, or horseback riding.

Which one do you prefer? Off-road action or nature escape?

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