Antalya
Antalya is Turkey's premier tourism destination on the Mediterranean coast – a vibrant, modern city with a population of approximately 2.5 million people, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Taurus Mountains and the crystal-clear turquoise sea. Known as the "Pearl of the Turkish Riviera," Antalya offers an extraordinary combination of natural beauty, history, and contemporary urban life.
The city's historic old quarter, Kaleiçi, is a UNESCO-protected area of winding cobblestone lanes, Roman-era city walls, Ottoman-era architecture, and the Hadrian's Gate – a magnificent triumphal arch built in 130 AD. The Antalya Museum, one of Turkey's finest archaeological museums, houses treasures spanning thousands of years of Anatolian civilization.
Antalya is served by an international airport with direct connections to dozens of European cities, making it easily accessible for congress participants from across the continent and beyond.
Side — Congress Venue
Located approximately 65 km east of Antalya city, Side is one of Turkey's most remarkable coastal destinations — a unique blend of ancient history and modern resort hospitality. The Sueno Hotel Beach Side, venue of the ESH 2023 Congress, sits directly on the Mediterranean coast, offering congress participants a long private beach, world-class facilities, and an all-inclusive experience.
Side's ancient ruins — including a spectacular Roman theatre, the Temple of Apollo standing dramatically at the sea's edge, and a well-preserved colonnaded main street — are woven into the modern resort town, making it possible to walk from your hotel to 2,000-year-old monuments in minutes.
Side's Mediterranean microclimate makes October an ideal month for a congress: warm sunny days, comfortable evenings, and calm seas — perfect for the congress social programme and evening events.
Ancient Side
Side is one of Turkey's most spectacularly preserved ancient cities, located approximately 75 km east of Antalya on a small peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea. Founded in the 7th century BC, Side developed into one of the most important ports of antiquity, thriving under Greek, Roman, and Byzantine rule before its eventual decline in the medieval period.
Today, ancient Side is a uniquely atmospheric destination where the remarkable ruins of a classical city coexist with a charming modern resort town. The iconic Temple of Apollo – its Corinthian columns silhouetted against the sea – is one of the most photographed monuments in all of Turkey, particularly magical at sunset and by night.
The Roman Theatre of Side, with its capacity of 15,000 spectators, is among the largest and best-preserved in Anatolia. The wide colonnaded main street, the agora, the nymphaeum, and the city walls all speak to the city's former grandeur. The Side Museum, housed in a 5th century Roman bath building, displays exceptional sculptures and artefacts from excavations at the site.
Congress participants will have the opportunity to experience Side on the evening of Saturday, October 28, during the Congress Tour.
Climate in October
October is widely regarded as one of the very best times to visit Antalya. The intense summer heat has passed, leaving warm, sunny Mediterranean days that are ideal for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Light summer clothing is suitable for daytime, with a light jacket or cardigan recommended for evenings. The sea remains warm enough for swimming throughout October.
Getting There
Antalya International Airport (IATA: AYT) is one of Turkey's busiest international airports, with direct flights from dozens of European cities including London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, Warsaw, Budapest, Rome, Madrid, and many more.
The airport is located approximately 13 km from Antalya city center and 45 km from Side (Sueno Hotel Beach Side). Transfer to the hotel takes approximately 45 minutes by road. Shuttle and taxi services are readily available, and airport transfer services can be arranged through the congress secretariat.
Participants travelling via Istanbul can connect to Antalya on frequent domestic flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines, with a flight time of approximately 1 hour from Istanbul.