KUŞADASI

This seaside resort town has grown immensely in the last 30 years, and is especially popular with package holiday-makers from Europe. From a population of 6000 in the 1970s, it is now closer to 50,000, although a high proportion of this are part of the tourist industry and here only for the summer. Many cruising ships travelling around the Aegean Islands stop here, especially because of its close proximity (20km) to Selcuk. Kusadasi is a good base to explore this and other ancient cities like Priene and Didyma.

Although there is little of historical interest in Kusadasi itself, the town is popular predominantly because of its many hotels, restaurants, souvenir and carpet shops, and lively nightlife. The Kale district has some old traditional houses and narrow streets, and gives some indication of what the town used to be like. The most famous beach is Kadinlar Plaji, 2.5km south of the town, dominated by huge hotels and can get very crowded in summer. There are several small beaches further south, and
closer to town is Yilanci Burnu, the peninsular.

How to Get

By Road

For most long-distance bus journeys, it is necessary to change at Izmir, 90 minutes away, which has many more choices. Smaller buses make regular trips to Bodrum (2 hours), Pamukkale (3 hours) and Selcuk (30 mins), and dolmuses run a shuttle service to the beaches to the south of Kusadasi. There is a bus service that stops near Izmir’s airport. Buses either depart from the bus station, or from the town centre.

Bus Station Tel: (90 256) 614 3981.

By Boat

There are two main harbours in the town. Cruise ships arrive throughout the year, and there are sailings to the Greek island of Sisam (Samos) with daily departures between April 1 and October 20. In the new yacht harbour – the largest and best-equipped northwest of Marmaris with a capacity of 650 – the Blue Voyage boats organise regular excursions.

 

By Air

The nearest airport is Ismir’s Adnan Menderes, 90 minutes by road. There are many domestic flights to Istanbul and Ankara, as well as European charter flights.

 

Where to Visit

Güvercin Adası (Pigeon Island)

This tiny island off the west coast of the town is just a few hundred metres from the mainland, and connected by walkway. It contains a fortress, which was constructed by the Ottomans and restored and strengthened in 1834. Kusadasi was an important defensive port along the Ottoman Aegean coast, and the fortress helped prevent attacks coming from the islands. It is now a relaxing place with landscaped terraces and several teahouses and snack bars.


CRUISER and YACHT PORTS

There are two wharfs, where tourist ships are approaching and also a yacht port with 650 yacht capacity in Kuşadası. Ships are approaching to Kuşadası Port during all seasons. Passenger motor voyages are regularly organized from Kuşadasi port to Greek Island, Sisam (Samos) during spring and summer months (Every day between 1st April and 20th October), and during winter months these voyages are turned as charters. There are daily and hourly picnic touring passenger motors in the port, and
Blue Tour organizing yachts are also in the yacht port.

MOSQUE and CARAVANSERAIS

Kale İçi Mosque

It is constructed on 1618 by Grand Vizier Öküz Paşa.

 

Öküz Mehmet Paşa Caravansary

Built in 1618 by Grand Vizier Okuz Pasa, there are artillery holes still visible on the external walls, in an effort to protect the city against pirates. It is now a luxury hotel.

 

BEACHES

The most famous beach in the area is Kadinlar Denizi (Ladies’ Beach), 3km south of town and well connected by dolmus, which is very crowded in high season. Guvercin Adasi has rocky shores but it is possible to swim, and there is a small beach 500m north of Yilanci Burnu peninsula. A better beach is Pamucak,15km north on the road to Selcuk.

THERMAL SPRING

The most important thermal springs in the area are Ciban (Yavansu), Venus and Guzelcamli.

SPELUNKING

CAVES OF AYDIN

Karaca Cave

Location: Aydın, Kuşadası District

Properties: It is a passive cave. As the cave is passive, there is no rivers or creeks present inside the cave. But the waters dripping from the cracks helped the formation of various damlataş (drop - shaped precious stone) forms. There are also some travertine pools and a few small lakes present inside the cave. There is no significant air flow inside the cave. The moisture level of the cave atmosphere tends to increase relatively as proceeded t-inside the cave.

NATIONAL PARKS

Aydin - Büyük Menderes National Park

Location: This park is in the region of Kusadasi and Soke, in the province of Aydin.

Transport: The park can be reached via the Kusadasi – Soke highway, and lies roughly in the middle of the two towns.

Highlights: The northern side of the park has plants rarely seen in the Mediterranean region. There are many bay and chestnut trees, and it is the only area where the Finike juniper and pirnal oaks are found together. Mediterranean seals and sea turtles are breeding on the shores of the lake,.

Guzelcamli village, at the northeast edge of the national park and at the foot of Dilek mountain, was used as the assembly place for the political and scientific centre of Ionia in the 9th and 8th centuries BC.

Facilities: It is possible to stay in the park in tents or caravans, and there is food available.