🧺 Where to Do Laundry in Side (Without Paying Hotel Prices)
If you’re staying in Side for more than a few days, you’ll quickly realize something most travel guides forget to mention: doing your laundry can be surprisingly tricky.
Hotels often charge €3–5 per shirt, which can easily turn into the cost of a nice dinner by the end of your trip. Luckily, there are easy and affordable ways to wash your clothes in Side like a local — and save both money and time.
💧 1. Self-Service Laundry Shops (Coin Laundries)
Although not very common in small Turkish towns, Side and Manavgat now have a few modern self-service laundries.
You’ll find them mostly near the main roads or residential areas where seasonal workers stay.
What to expect:
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Washing + drying takes about 1.5 hours.
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Average cost: €5–7 for a full load.
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Most places provide detergent automatically.
📍 Tip: Try searching on Google Maps for “self laundry Side” or “çamaşırhane Side”. The word çamaşırhane means “laundry” in Turkish.
👚 2. Local Dry Cleaners
If you prefer someone else to take care of it, local dry cleaners are a hidden gem.
Even if they don’t speak perfect English, they’ll understand what you need — just point to your clothes and say “yıkama” (washing) or “kurutma” (drying).
Prices are usually half of what hotels charge, and clothes are often ready the next day.
🕒 Bonus Tip: Ask your hotel reception or apartment owner — they usually know a nearby cleaner that locals trust.
🏖️ 3. Do-It-Yourself (For Apartment Guests)
If you’re staying in an Airbnb or apart hotel, check if there’s a washing machine in the building or a shared laundry area.
Most apartment-style accommodations in Side include at least one machine for guests, especially in Kemer Mahallesi, Kumköy, and Evrenseki.
To dry clothes fast in the summer heat:
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Hang them on your balcony in the late afternoon (not under the midday sun).
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Within 2–3 hours, the Mediterranean breeze will do the job naturally.
🧴 4. What to Pack for Easy Laundry Days
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A small travel detergent (liquid or sheet type)
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A few clothes pegs and a foldable drying rope
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A laundry bag to separate dirty clothes from clean ones
These small items can make your travel days much lighter (and cheaper).
💬 Local Phrase Guide
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“Çamaşırhane nerede?” → Where is the laundry?
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“Yıkama ve kurutma var mı?” → Do you have washing and drying?
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“Ne kadar?” → How much?
Locals appreciate it when you try a few Turkish words — and it might even get you a small discount!
🌿 5. Eco-Friendly Tip
If you want to stay sustainable, choose detergents labeled eco or bitkisel (plant-based).
Some local shops sell refill bottles for tourists staying long-term — just ask at Migros or Şok Market.
✅ Final Thoughts
Finding a place to do laundry in Side doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive.
With a little local knowledge, you can clean your clothes, explore the town, and still have enough euros left for that extra scoop of pistachio ice cream.