Hotels near Vespasian Gate and Monumental Fountain

The Vespasian Gate is the original Roman entry to the Side headland, built in 71 AD and dedicated to the emperor Vespasian. The triple arch frames a small plaza where the colonnaded street begins, and once formed the only opening in the city's defensive wall. Just inside the gate stands the Monumental Fountain (Nymphaeum), an elaborate three-storey water display fed by the same 19 km aqueduct that supplied Aspendos, with marble basins and niches that originally held nine bronze statues of nymphs. The combined entry ticket costs TRY 100 in 2026 and grants access to both monuments. Allow 30 minutes for a careful walk around. The site is wheelchair accessible from the parking layby on the main road, and ramps lead to the fountain platform. The structures look most impressive at dusk when the modern lighting kicks on.

Pro Tip: Photograph the gate looking back from inside the colonnaded street rather than from the road. The framing through the arches is far more dramatic and you avoid passing tourist coaches.