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This Aegean resort town,
once a sleepy farming village, has grown immensely
since the boom in Turkish tourism in the 1980's. From a population of 6000 in the 1970s,
it is now closer to 50,000, although a high proportion of these
belong to the tourist industry and here only for the summer. Many cruise ships travelling around the Aegean
Islands stop here, because of its close proximity (20km) to
Ephesus.
Kusadasi is a good base for visiting this
and other ancient sites
in the area, such as Priene,
Miletus and Didyma, as well as the
spectacular white travertines of Pamukkale.
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 very crowded in summer. There
are several small beaches further south, and closer to town is Yilanci Burnu, the peninsula.
 How to
Get There
By Road
For most long-distance bus journeys, it is necessary to
take a bus to Izmir
Coach Terminal, 90 minutes away, where
coaches leave for all parts of Turkey. Smaller buses
make regular trips to Bodrum (2 hours), Pamukkale (3 hours) and
Selcuk (30 mins), and dolmus minibuses run a shuttle service to the beaches
to the south of Kusadasi. There is also a bus service that stops near
Izmir Adnan Menderes 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.
From the new yacht harbour – the largest
(with a capacity of 650) and best-equipped west
of Marmaris – the Blue Voyage (Mavi
Yolculuk) tours organise
regular boat excursions.
Marina, Kusadasi Setur Tel: (90 256) 614 17 52,
Fax: 614 1758
 By Air
The nearest airport is Izmir’s Adnan Menderes
Airport, 90 minutes away by road.
There are many domestic flights to Istanbul and Ankara, as well as
European charter flights in season.
Airport Tel: (90 232) 274 2187
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
a walkway. It holds 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 dock
and also a 650 yacht capacity harbour, in Kuşadası.
Ships dock at Kuşadası
throughout the year. Passenger
voyages are regularly organized from Kuşadasi port to
the Greek island
of Samos (Sisam
in Turkish) every day between
1st April and 20th October. There are
also daily and hourly boat trips
and Blue Voyage
cruises.
MOSQUE and CARAVANSERAIS
Kale İçi Mosque
This was constructed
in 1618 by Grand Vizier Öküz Paşa.
Öküz Mehmet Paşa Kervansaray
Built in 1618 by Grand Vizier Okuz Pasa, there are artillery holes
still visible on the external walls, evidence of
attacks by pirates. It is now a luxury hotel.
BEACHES
The most famous beach in the area is Kadinlar Denizi (Ladies’
Beach), 3km south of town, well
served by dolmus, and
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. This is wide, long and
uncrowded, but doesn't have as many facilities for tourists.
THERMAL SPRINGS
Turkey has many natural hot springs, due to
volcanic activity. The most important thermal springs in the area are Ciban (Yavansu),
Venus and Guzelcamli, where you can bathe in 35°C
mineral-laden water, reputedly good for a large variety of
ailments.
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