City of Side: Electric Catamaran Cruise & Lunch & Waterfall

The best part of this Side day trip is the change of scene: one morning takes you from a mosque and a waterfall to Roman ruins, then up to Green Lake, where an electric catamaran carries you across calm water. It is a lot of variety for $25, and hotel pickup saves you the trouble of arranging a car or taxi.

I like the low price with lunch and transport included, and I like the mix of nature and ancient sites. The catch is that the day moves quickly, and the route does not always match the description perfectly. One departure missed the advertised Manavgat mosque, while another stopped at a small mosque near lunch instead.

Key points before you book

• Green Lake is the star: You get about one hour on a catamaran, with time around the lake and a meal overlooking the water.
• The route covers four types of sights: a mosque, waterfall, Roman ruins, and a dam viewpoint.
• Lunch is included: Choose fish or chicken with rice, salad, and fresh fruit. Drinks cost extra.
• The guides can make the day: Achmed is praised for his broad knowledge and humor, while Levent is noted for friendly, helpful service.
• Pack swimwear if you want options: Some people knew to bring swimming gear, but the tour details do not clearly promise a swim stop.
• Expect a large group: The maximum is 49 people, although some departures may use smaller vans or even 4×4 Land Rovers.

A full day from Side to Green Lake

This is an 8 to 9 hour outing, starting around 8:30 a.m. Pickup is offered from hotels in Side, covering the coastal stretch between Gundogdu and Kızılot. You ride in air-conditioned vehicles with a professional guide, then spend the day moving between short sightseeing stops and the longer Green Canyon visit.

The schedule works best for you if you enjoy variety more than long, slow visits. Most stops last 15 to 30 minutes, so you will see several places without having to plan the route yourself. The tradeoff is simple: you will not have much time to explore any one site at your own pace.

The group limit of 49 is worth noting. A large group can mean waiting while people get on and off the vehicle, though the actual feel of the day may vary. One departure used 4×4 Land Rovers, which added an off-road element. That is not guaranteed, so treat it as a possible vehicle choice rather than a promised feature.

Kulliye Camii, a brief cultural stop

The first listed stop is Kulliye Camii, with about 20 minutes at the mosque. Admission is free. This is a short introduction to local religious architecture rather than a major guided mosque visit, so keep your expectations in check.

The mosque stop also comes with a practical warning. The route has not always matched the wording used to describe it. One departure did not visit the Manavgat mosque as expected and instead stopped at a small old mosque near the restaurant later in the day.

That does not ruin the outing, but it matters if a specific mosque is your main reason for booking. Dress and behave respectfully at any mosque, and follow your guide’s instructions about entry and photography.

Manavgat Waterfall and the small entrance fee

Manavgat Waterfall gets about 30 minutes. The entrance fee is not included and is listed as 6 Turkish liras per person. Bring a little local currency or confirm the accepted payment method before setting out.

The waterfall is a short sightseeing stop, not a long walk or a full nature outing. You will have time to see the falling water and take photographs, but you should not expect a relaxed afternoon beside the river.

I see this stop as a useful add-on rather than the main event. It breaks up the driving and gives you a quick look at one of the area’s familiar natural sights. If you want a long visit with plenty of time for cafés or extended riverside wandering, this schedule will feel too tight.

Seleukia, Roman ruins with room to look around

Seleukia, also known as Lybre, is the strongest historical stop on the route. You get about 30 minutes at the ancient Roman city, and admission is free.

The site is especially appealing because it is not just a quick roadside photo stop. You can see ruins and enjoy broad views from the hilltop setting. Thirty minutes is still brief, but it gives you enough time to walk around, take pictures, and listen to the guide’s explanation.

I would give Seleukia more attention than the waterfall if ancient sites interest you. The visit is short, so comfortable shoes are sensible. You may also want to stay close to the guide, since the value of this stop comes from understanding what you are seeing rather than simply photographing broken stone.

The guide can shape this part of the day. Achmed is specifically praised for explaining what the group saw and for keeping the mood light. English may be imperfect at times, and the tour is offered in English, with multilingual guiding available, so expect useful commentary rather than a polished academic lecture.

Manavgat Dam and the Green Lake view

The dam stop lasts about 15 minutes and works mainly as a photo break. From here, you get views toward Green Canyon and Green Lake, which helps you see the setting before reaching the restaurant and boat.

This is another quick stop, but it gives the day a useful pause. After the ruins and waterfall, you can look out over the water and get a sense of how the lake fits into the surrounding hills.

Do not plan on a long walk at the dam. The stop is designed for views and photos, not a detailed tour of the dam itself. If you prefer a packed sightseeing day, this short pause keeps things moving. If you want quiet time in nature, it may feel rushed.

The Green Lake catamaran ride

The main attraction is the Green Lake section. The program includes a one-hour catamaran trip, described as an electric catamaran cruise, followed by lunch at Gölbaşı Restaurant beside the lake. The full Green Canyon visit lasts about two hours.

This is where the tour earns its price. You get on the water without arranging a separate boat ticket, and the lake setting gives the day a calm finish after several short stops. The cruise is suited to sitting back, taking photographs, and enjoying the views rather than looking for a highly active boat excursion.

The tour information also mentions fishing and canoeing among the highlights, but the included details specifically guarantee the catamaran ride. I would not assume that fishing or canoe use is a fixed part of every departure unless the operator confirms it for your date.

Bring a camera, but do not count on professional photographs being included. Photos are an extra cost. Also note the confusion around swimming gear. Some people arrived prepared to swim, while others had not been told to bring it. If you would like the option, pack a swimsuit and towel, but understand that the confirmed inclusion is the catamaran cruise, not a swimming session.

Lunch at Gölbaşı Restaurant

Lunch is served at Gölbaşı Restaurant, with a view of Green Lake. The included meal is fish or chicken, rice, salad, and fresh fruit. Drinks are not included, so budget a little extra if you want tea, soft drinks, water, or another beverage.

I like the location of this meal more than I would like a standard roadside lunch. Eating beside the lake gives you time to enjoy the setting instead of spending the entire day jumping from one vehicle stop to another. The food is straightforward Turkish tour fare, not a culinary event, but it covers the basics after a morning of sightseeing.

The stop near the restaurant can bring a pleasant surprise. A small old mosque was visited on one departure, and the walk between the mosque and restaurant included fresh figs and pomegranates growing on the trees. That detail is not guaranteed, but it shows how the best moments may come from the unplanned parts of the route.

What the $25 price really covers

At $25 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for an 8 to 9 hour outing that includes hotel transfers, a guide, lunch, and a boat ride. You are paying for convenience and a broad sample of the area, not private touring or long visits at every stop.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to hire transport to reach the waterfall, Seleukia, the dam, and Green Lake. Direct pickup from your Side hotel removes the need to coordinate several separate trips. Air-conditioned transport also matters during a full summer day.

You should allow for a few extra costs. The waterfall entrance fee is separate, drinks are separate, and photographs are separate. The listed waterfall fee is only 6 Turkish liras, but prices can change, so check locally. The group size can reach 49, which helps keep the price low but may reduce flexibility.

This is a good budget choice for couples, families, and solo visitors who want a full day without a complicated plan. It is less suitable if you want a private guide, a slow archaeological visit, or complete control over the schedule.

Guides, language, and the pace of the day

The strongest personal service comes from the guide and driver team. Levent and his crew are noted for friendly, supportive service and good interaction. Achmed is praised for humor and for explaining a wide range of subjects during the route. Another departure had a guide nicknamed Spidey Boy, whose energy helped make the day memorable.

That said, English can sometimes sound unusual or unclear. You should be ready for simple explanations, a lively manner, and a little flexibility in how information is presented. The tour is offered in English, and multilingual guides are available, but the exact guide depends on the departure.

The pace is active without being a strenuous hike. You will spend much of the day getting between stops, with short walks at the waterfall, ruins, mosque, and dam. Most people can participate, but the schedule does not give you much spare time if you walk slowly or want long photo sessions.

Booking details worth knowing

Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m. from hotels in the Side area between Gundogdu and Kızılot. Confirm that your hotel falls within that zone when booking, since the pickup promise is not stated for every place outside it.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, the included hotel transfer is the easiest choice if your hotel is covered. The experience can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Because the tour is often booked well in advance, reserving early may help during busy periods. The average booking lead time is about 52 days, which suggests that this is not only a last-minute beach-day option.

Who should book this Side day trip?

Book it if you want to see several sides of the region in one day: religious buildings, a waterfall, Roman ruins, a dam viewpoint, and a lake cruise. It is particularly useful if you do not have a rental car and want lunch and transport included at a low price.

You will also like it if you enjoy friendly guides, changing scenery, and a little unpredictability. The off-road Land Rover outing, fresh fruit picked along the route, and extra mosque visit show how the day can gain character beyond the formal schedule.

Think twice if you need exact timing or a perfectly fixed route. The mosque stop may change, English explanations may vary, and the swimming arrangements are not clear. You should also avoid booking it with the expectation of spending most of the day on the boat. The cruise lasts about one hour, while the rest of the day is shared between driving, short visits, lunch, and photo stops.

Should you book it?

For $25, I would book this tour if I wanted an easy, affordable introduction to the countryside around Side. Seleukia and Green Lake are the real reasons to go, while the waterfall, dam, mosque, lunch, and hotel transfer make the day feel full.

Go in with realistic expectations. You are buying a large-group sightseeing day with a quick schedule, not a private cultural tour. Pack water, extra money for drinks and the waterfall, comfortable shoes, and swimwear if you want the option. If that sounds like a fair trade for a catamaran ride, lunch beside the lake, and several varied stops, this is a solid-value day out.

FAQ

How long does the Side Green Lake tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Side, in the area between Gundogdu and Kızılot.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes fish or chicken, rice, salad, and fresh fruit at Gölbaşı Restaurant beside Green Lake.

Are drinks included with lunch?

No. Drinks are not included in the tour price.

Is the Manavgat Waterfall entrance fee included?

No. The listed entrance fee is 6 Turkish liras per person.

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The included catamaran cruise lasts one hour.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.