REVIEW · SIDE
City of Side: Fire of Anatolia Dance Show Ticket & Transfer
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Aspendos Arena is the kind of place that makes a dance show feel like an event. You get a smooth Side-to-Aspendos transfer plus an entrance ticket to see Fire of Anatolia by an expert, award-winning team.
What I really liked was the professional, high-energy choreography and the way the night flows with a short break built in. One thing to plan for: there are no assigned seats, so if you want the best sightlines, you’ll need to get settled promptly before the lights go down.
In This Review
- Key Highlights at a Glance
- Side to Aspendos: The Easy Night Drive You’ll Appreciate
- Getting In Fast: Security, Tickets, and Choosing Your Seats
- Fire of Anatolia at 9pm: Turkish Folklore Dance on a Big-Stage Scale
- The 10-Minute Break: Use It Smart, Not Long
- Price and What You Actually Get for $70
- Practical Tips: Jacket, No Cameras, and Travel Light
- Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Skip It)
- Booking Decision: Should You Go to Fire of Anatolia in Aspendos?
- FAQ
- What time does the Fire of Anatolia show start?
- How long does the show and total experience take?
- Where are you picked up in Side?
- Does the price include the entrance ticket and transfer?
- Are food and drinks included?
- Is there a break during the program?
- Are seats assigned?
- Can I bring a camera or take video?
- What should I bring for the evening?
Key Highlights at a Glance
- Aspendos Arena stage magic: ancient venue energy with a modern show feel
- Punctual, hotel-based transfer: pick-up from Side, air-conditioned bus, return until midnight
- Skip the ticket line at arrival: quick entry process after security
- Two hours of Turkish folklore dance: full program by an expert team
- A short 10-minute break: time to stretch and grab food or drinks near the arena
- Clear camera and bag rules: you’ll want to travel light for a smoother check-in
Side to Aspendos: The Easy Night Drive You’ll Appreciate
This is one of those evenings where the logistics matter, because you’re going to a big show in an ancient setting and you don’t want your night chopped up by delays. You’ll be picked up from in front of the hotel security gate in the Side area, then transferred by air-conditioned bus toward Aspendos Arena.
The timing is built for an easy arrival. You’ll reach the show area at 8:30 pm, park the bus in the park area, and get told where to meet and pick up your entrance ticket. After that, you’ll pass through express security control and then choose your seating once you’re inside.
What this means for you: you spend less time coordinating and more time actually enjoying the show. Also, because the drop-off runs until midnight, you’re not stuck figuring out late-night transportation after the performance.
Why it feels good value at this price point: the transfer, the ticket, and a host/driver are included. For a night out, that bundled convenience is hard to beat.
A few more Side tours and experiences worth a look
Getting In Fast: Security, Tickets, and Choosing Your Seats
At arrival you’ll do three main things: park, meet up, and get your entrance ticket. Then comes the part that can slow people down if you’re doing it on your own: security. Here, the process is set up so you can go through express control after receiving your ticket.
Two details matter for your comfort:
- There are no seat numbers, so you’ll pick where you sit inside the seating area.
- Everyone chooses separately, so early arrival after security is your best friend if you care about sightlines.
Once you’re seated, the atmosphere in Aspendos Arena tends to build quickly. That’s partly because it’s such a visually striking venue and partly because you know the show is due to start soon. The performance begins at 9:00 pm, and it lasts about two hours.
One small practical note from how the experience runs: don’t plan to wander far after you pass security. You’ll want to be able to settle down and focus, especially since you can’t rely on finding an ideal seat after the crowd has already settled.
Fire of Anatolia at 9pm: Turkish Folklore Dance on a Big-Stage Scale
The show is the main reason to go, and this one delivers. Fire of Anatolia brings Turkish folklore dance to the stage with an expert team known as award-winning in the way it’s presented. You’re not just watching casual performances—you’re seeing a structured program of multiple folklore segments across the two-hour runtime.
The vibe is energetic and very performance-focused. One review comparison you may find useful: the footwork and precision can feel like Riverdance-style intensity, even though the content is distinctly Turkish folklore. If you like dance that mixes rhythm, bold movement, and clear staging, you’ll probably enjoy this.
The show timing is straightforward:
- Starts at 9:00 pm
- Runs for about two hours
- Includes a 10-minute break in the middle
During the program you’re seeing a full set of Turkish folklore dance shows rather than a short sampler. That’s important for value. Many “evening experiences” give you a quick taste and then hurry you out. Here, you get a complete program, so your money goes toward actual show time.
And because the venue is Aspendos Arena, the setting helps you feel the scale. Even if you don’t know all the dance styles beforehand, the staging, lighting, and the performers’ control do a lot of the work for you.
The 10-Minute Break: Use It Smart, Not Long
Halfway through, there’s a ten-minute break. It’s long enough to reset—grab water, find a snack, and stand up without feeling rushed. It’s also short enough that you don’t miss your place or lose the flow.
Food and drinks aren’t included, but you can buy them near the arena during this break (and you’ll likely spot the usual show-area options). My advice: if you plan to buy something, do it during the break, not before the show. You’ll spend less time walking and more time watching.
Also, you’ll want to be mindful of what you bring back to your seat. Since there are restrictions on luggage and large bags, you’ll be happier if you keep your essentials minimal so you can move easily.
A small heads-up from the way the program feels: the light and laser elements are part of the show. In one case, the only complaint was that the lighting effects could have been even stronger or more frequent. That’s a taste thing, not a dealbreaker—but it’s good to know if you’re coming mainly for the tech and special effects.
Price and What You Actually Get for $70
At $70 per person, the big question is whether you’re paying for a show alone or for a full night out. The value here is in the package:
- Entrance ticket included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off included in the Side area
- Host and driver included
- Travel insurance included
What’s not included:
- Food and drinks
- Any private expenses
So yes, you are mostly paying for a ticket and the convenience of getting there and back without stress. And in practice, that convenience is the part that often costs more than expected if you start stacking taxis, timed entries, and ticket queues on your own.
The best-fit “value buyer” is someone who wants:
- A planned, reliable evening
- One clear activity (not a half-day of hopping around)
- The convenience of leaving Side and returning the same night
If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys hunting for your own transport and arriving whenever you feel like it, you might feel the package is less necessary. But if you prefer show first, planning later, this is a strong deal.
You can also read our reviews of more city tours in Side
Practical Tips: Jacket, No Cameras, and Travel Light
This is where I save you from the small annoyances that can turn a fun night slightly annoying.
Bring:
- A jacket
- Rain gear
Even if you’re traveling in warm months, Aspendos Arena can feel cooler during the evening. One helpful review note called out a cold wind coming through in September, even when they didn’t expect to need a jacket. Take that seriously—plan for the kind of evening weather that sneaks up on you while you wait for showtime.
Not allowed:
- Cameras
- Video recording
- Pets
- Luggage or large bags
That camera rule is the big one. If you were hoping to film the performance or take lots of video, you’ll be disappointed. If you want photos, you’ll need to follow whatever is allowed during the event (the data clearly bans cameras, and video recording, so assume you should leave them out to avoid issues).
Travel light for two reasons:
- Security and movement inside the arena go smoother.
- You’ll have less to carry during that short break.
Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Skip It)
This is a great fit if you:
- Want a single, high-impact evening activity with no complicated touring
- Prefer a structured program over a self-guided evening
- Like Turkish folklore dance, or at least like dance performances with strong rhythm and stage energy
It also makes sense for:
- Couples on a date-night vibe
- Solo travelers who want an easy plan and a host on hand
- Families with children who are happy to sit through a full show (with the note below on child tickets)
About children: children under 11 have free entry tickets, but for transport they must take seats. If security asks about a child’s age, you should be ready to show an ID card.
If you’re only interested in special effects and don’t care about the dance performance itself, you may want to set expectations. The light and laser elements are present, but the core of the experience is still the dance and choreography.
Booking Decision: Should You Go to Fire of Anatolia in Aspendos?
I’d book this if you want a well-run, low-stress night that delivers a full dance program in one of Turkey’s most impressive ancient venues. The most praised aspects are exactly what matter: the show quality, the professional team, and the smooth transport that gets you there on time.
I’d think twice if:
- You really need to take photos or record video
- You’re the type who hates “no seat numbers” situations (because you’ll want to arrive and settle efficiently)
- You’re not interested in a full two-hour cultural performance and would rather do something shorter
If you check those boxes, Fire of Anatolia at Aspendos Arena is one of the more reliable ways to spend an evening around Side.
FAQ
What time does the Fire of Anatolia show start?
The show starts at 9:00 pm.
How long does the show and total experience take?
The show takes about 2 hours, and the overall experience includes pickup, travel, arrival, and the evening return, with drop-off back to hotels until midnight.
Where are you picked up in Side?
Pickup is included from hotels in the Side area, in front of the hotel security gate.
Does the price include the entrance ticket and transfer?
Yes. The package includes the entrance ticket, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and a host/driver (plus travel insurance).
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them near the arena.
Is there a break during the program?
Yes, there is a 10-minute break in the middle of the program.
Are seats assigned?
No. There are no seat numbers, and you choose your seat once you’re inside.
Can I bring a camera or take video?
Cameras and video recording are not allowed.
What should I bring for the evening?
Bring a jacket and rain gear, since the arena area can feel cooler (and weather can change).
