KUSADASI TRAVEL GUIDE

Kusadasi Travel Guide

The lively town of Kusadasi on Turkey’s west coast is dominated by tourists from all across Europe and offers plenty to do for all ages. There are however lots of interesting things to see and do hidden behind the scenes so you just have to go out there and explore. Furthermore, Kusadasi is located close to important historical sites such as Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Hierapolis, Pamukkale, Priene, Miletus and Didyma. The attractive small towns of Selcuk, Sirince, also make great day trips from Kusadasi. Izmir and Cesme are not that far away either. So, there are plenty to see and surroundings so you will surely keep busy if exploring is your thing.

Explore Pigeon Island and Caravanserai

Right off Kusadasi harbour, a 350 meterslong cause way leads out to the attractive Pigeon Island, which is the symbol of Kusadasi and where the name Kusadasi (Bird Island) originates from. Theremnants of a 13th century Byzantine fortress sit on a cliff with a panoramic view of Kusadasi. Caravanserai has an appearance of a small inner castle. After its renovation, the building is used as a hotel today with capacity of 50 beds in 25 rooms. The structure also used for the Traditional Turkish nights which are organized by local agengies to show the Turkish culture and cuisine to the foreign visitors. There is also a lot of store for shopping in the caravanserai.        

Enjoy Sunny Days at Beaches

In Kusadasi there are several beaches to choose from. They do get quite crowded during the hot summer months. You can find empty stretches of sand only early in the morning or after sundown. The most popular beach in Kusadasi is Ladies Beach (Kadinlar Denizi), which is located 2 kms from the town centre, but is easily reachableby dolmus (minibus) number 5. The longest strip of sand in the area is Long Beach further south along the coast (dolmus number 6 and 7). In Kusadasi town centre thereare also a few small beaches along the sea front promenade.

Go on a Stroll Along Kusadasi’s Seaside

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from by the seaside whether you fancy a western dinner or a traditional Turkish feast or just a refreshing cocktail or a cup of traditional Turkish tea.

Shop in Kusadasi Bazaar

Kusadasi Bazaar in the heart of town rightin front of the harbour offers affordable shopping, fake designer goods such asbags, jeans, watches and sunglasses as well as cheap jewellery, souvenirs, leather goods etc. There are no fixed prices in the bazaar, so bargaining is always needed otherwise you will end up over paying.

Take a Boat Trip Around the Bays Near Kusadasi

A boat trip in Kusadasi is a must. This gives you a chance to see Kusadasi from a completely new perspective and discover the nearby areas and bays of Kusadasi only accessible by boat. It stopps several times to swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters and to explore caves. Some boats even have a water slide which is a lot of fun.

Watch Sunset at Kusadasi Setur Marina or Scala Nuova

There are lovely views over Kusadasi Setur Marina from the outdoor cafes and restaurants at Scala Nuova Shopping Centre and Setur Marina. These are wonderful places to chill out, enjoy a drink and witness the sun go down painting the sky in beautiful pastel colours.