Side days compared
Pirate Boat or Turkish Bath in Side: A Lively Day or a Slow One?
One is a long, lively day at sea for children; the other is warmth, steam and quiet. They rarely compete for the same day — the real question is how to fit them both around a family.
Short answer
The pirate boat is the children's day: about 6 hours at sea with a costumed crew, a treasure hunt, games, swim stops and lunch. A Turkish bath is a slow, restorative visit for adults or the whole family. If you can only choose one and you have young children, it is the pirates; if the adults are worn out, the hamam may be what the holiday needs.
Not really rivals
The pirate boat trip fills most of a day. You are picked up from the hotel, the crew in pirate costume take over, the children dress up, and the hours pass in games, stories, a treasure hunt, swim stops along the coast and lunch on board, until the drive home in the afternoon.
A Turkish bath is the other end of the scale: steam, warm marble and a traditional wash. It is about slowing down. That makes it a natural day after the big outing rather than a replacement for it.
Where the two days differ most is in what they ask of the children. On the pirate ship they are the centre of attention from the first costume to the last game; a bath asks them to be patient and still. Knowing your own children is the whole of the decision.
Side by side
| Pirate boat trip | Turkish bath | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | High: games, costumes, swimming | Low: heat and calm |
| Built for | Children and their families | Anyone needing a rest |
| Length | About 6 hours, morning to afternoon | See our sister site |
| Fares | €20 per adult, €14 for ages 2 to 10 | See our sister site |
For first-timers and grandparents
A long day on a boat is not for everyone. If a grandparent has never been to sea, or moves slowly, think about the boarding, the deck and the length of the day before you book. The first-time and grandparents guide goes through it, and if you are unsure, message us on WhatsApp — we will ask the crew for you.
Equally, a Turkish bath involves heat. Anyone with a health concern should check with that trip before booking, just as they would with us.
What costs extra on the pirate day
The pirate fare covers the hotel transfer, the cruise, the children's costumes, the games and treasure hunt, and lunch. What it leaves out is short: extra drinks, tips and your own spending. Our guide to extras explains each one, so the day holds no surprises.
Whatever a hamam visit includes, and what it costs, is set by that trip; we would rather send you to the right page than guess.
Putting both into one holiday
A sensible rhythm for a family week: the pirate ship early on, while the children are fresh and excited, then a slower hamam day once everyone needs to unwind. Our sister site has Turkish baths in Side, with current prices and what each visit includes.
For the pirate side of the plan, there is nothing to pay until the morning you travel, in euros. If the week fills up differently, a free cancellation is open to you until 48 hours before.
Side Pirate Boat Trip: prices, what is included, and booking
