Side Paragliding: Tandem Flights from Yassıtepe Explained

Where Side paragliding actually flies: Yassıtepe above Alanya

Every flight in this area launches from Yassıtepe, the hill above Alanya, not from the beaches or ruins around Side. Operators put the take-off at about 700 metres above sea level with Cleopatra Beach directly below, and the landing is on the sand at Cleopatra Beach itself. That geography matters when you plan the day: you are committing to a road transfer of about an hour each way, not a quick morning out on the edge of Side.

Because you drive east into the Alanya district, several operators offer add-ons in Alanya for an extra charge, such as a city tour, an ATV ride or a buggy safari. If you would rather keep the flight as a half-day and spend the afternoon on the water, a side boat trip from the old harbour is the easier pairing. The flight itself is short; the transfer is what shapes your timetable.

How the day runs, from hotel pick-up to drop-off

The usual pattern is a hotel pick-up around 10.30 in an air-conditioned minibus, the drive to Alanya, a briefing at the flight centre where you collect your helmet and harness, then a short shuttle up to the launch point. You take a few running steps off the hillside with the pilot, fly, and land on Cleopatra Beach, after which the vehicle returns you to your hotel. The whole excursion is sold as a half day of roughly three hours, though the clock only starts when the pick-up arrives.

Not every seller frames it the same way. Minister Tours schedules the tour across a window from 08:30 to 16:00 and describes a seven-hour day, reflecting the drive to and from Alanya rather than more time in the air. The flight is the same 15 to 20 minutes with the pilot. Ask which version you are booking before you pay, because the difference is time out of your holiday, not flight minutes.

Flight time and height: what the operators state

The flight is the shortest part of the day and its length depends on wind and thermals rather than a fixed schedule. Operator figures range from roughly 15 to 20 minutes up to 20 to 30 minutes aloft, and Bookfromlocals lists a flight of about 15 minutes with an altitude up to 700 metres. GetYourGuide's own listing for the activity states 15 or 25 minutes of flight depending on the wind. Treat any quoted duration as typical rather than guaranteed.

Height figures are similarly rounded: 700 metres is the common take-off altitude, while another operator advertises an 800-metre launch. You are not choosing between these numbers in any practical sense, because you fly with whichever pilot and site your operator uses on the day. What you will notice is the view: the long golden arc of Cleopatra Beach below you, the Taurus Mountains behind, and the sea stretching to the horizon.

What the price covers and what costs extra

Tandem flights sold from Side typically bundle hotel transfers both ways, all equipment including helmet and harness, the pilot's fee, a pre-flight briefing and insurance. Some operators add water, tea and coffee at the flight centre. Extras are consistent across the listings: photos and video of your flight are paid separately, and there is a small entrance fee for the hill itself. One listing puts that hill fee at €20, separate from the flight price.

The hill ticket is where you will see the biggest discrepancy between sellers. Another operator quotes the mountain entrance at 350 TL and excludes it from the tour price, so the cash you need on the day depends on who you book with. Carry lire as well as euros and confirm at booking whether the entrance fee is collected by the guide or at the gate.

Photos and video are optional but worth deciding on in advance, since the pilot films the flight and you view and buy the footage after landing. Bring the means to pay there if you want the recording; there is no second chance once you are back in Side. If you would rather spend the money on the water, save it for a Side Boat Trips day out instead.

Age, weight and health restrictions

Paragliding needs no experience, but it does have limits. One operator sets the minimum age at six, a minimum weight of 25 kg and a maximum of 120 kg. Pregnant guests and people with chronic illness or physical difficulties are advised not to fly. Check these against your group before booking, because the restrictions apply to the passenger, not the pilot.

Because the landing is on sand and the launch involves a short run, sturdy footwear and a general level of mobility matter more than fitness. If anyone in your party falls outside the weight range or is unsure, plan that day around the ruins at Side and Aspendos rather than the hill. Check weight and health restrictions with the seller before you pay a deposit.

What to wear and what to bring

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that stay firmly on your feet, since you run a few steps at take-off and land on sand. Shorts or trousers both work; a light layer helps at 700 metres even when Side is hot. Sunglasses with a strap and a secure pocket for your phone are sensible, though the pilot handles the camera.

Bring water, sun cream and the cash for the hill entrance and any photos you want. Leave valuables at the hotel where you can, because you will be strapped in for the flight and shuttled between vehicles. If you are prone to motion sickness on winding roads, the transfer up to the launch point is the part to prepare for.

Pilot choice, photos and booking

Some operators offer both male and female pilots and ask you to state a preference when reserving, so say so at the booking stage rather than at the hill. Certification and licensing sit with the company, not with you: one seller identifies itself as a TÜRSAB-licensed travel agency. Ask for the licence details if you want reassurance before paying.

Booking is normally online or through your hotel, with many sellers offering free cancellation up to the tour day and payment on the day or later. Several let you reserve now and pay the pilot or guide in person, which suits travellers who want to see the weather first. Read the cancellation wording before you commit, because a windy morning is the most likely reason your flight moves.

If your dates are fixed and the flight is the centrepiece of the day, keep it early in the trip so a weather cancellation can be rebooked. Fill the spare hours with side excursions such as a Manavgat River boat or a market morning, which can absorb a change of plan without wasting a day.

How much Side paragliding costs and when you pay

Prices vary by seller and are quoted in different currencies, so compare like with like. For 2026, one operator lists the tandem flight at €50 per adult and €50 per child, and its own FAQ refers to 40 € per person, while another advertises £60 per adult for 2026. A TripAdvisor listing shows a from-price of £65.46 per adult. Treat all of these as listed figures from their sellers, not as a guaranteed rate when you fly.

Many sellers let you pay in cash on the day instead of at checkout, which is convenient because lira rates move and card handling varies. Budget separately for the hill entrance and the photo package, since neither is normally inside the quoted flight price. Confirm the total, including extras, in writing when you book.

Booking and weather cancellation

Wind decides whether you fly, and sellers build that into their terms. One states that if you cannot fly on your reserved day because of adverse weather, you can choose another date or take a full refund. Ask what happens if the wind drops mid-morning after you have already been driven to Alanya, since a wasted transfer is the main risk.

Flights run every day according to the operators, with pick-ups in the morning and a full day blocked out if you add the Alanya city tour. Keep your afternoon free if you want the option of a jeep safari or a lazy afternoon by the harbour instead. Either way, leave a buffer day between the flight and your flight home.

Should you book the flight before you leave the UK?

Book ahead if your dates are tight or you want a specific morning, but choose a seller with clear weather terms and pay on the day where that is offered. The flight is short, the transfer is long, and the extras are your real spending decisions. Line up a wet-weather alternative such as the ruins at Side or a boat trip so a cancellation does not cost you a day.