Dominating the gulf bearing the same name in the Aegean Coast, Kuşadası is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. Thanks to its clear sea, beautiful nature, harbour and proximity to the ancient cities, Kuşadası has been one of the earliest tourism destinations and it still continues to be popular with its lovely beaches, sun, cool breezes, restaurants serving delicious Aegean food and top quality hotels. Besides many outdoor activities such as trekking and scuba-diving, Kuşadası with its entertainment facilities is a lovely holiday resort to suit all expectations.
Through thousands of years, Kuşadası has been an important harbour city. Due to its strategical importance, the city fell under domination of different civilisations; even for a while it was home to the most famous pirates of the Mediterranean. Hosted merchants from different nations, soldiers in military campaigns and adventurous travellers for hundreds of years, the caravanserai today serves as a hotel for visitors who want to stay for the night in a historical atmosphere.
Numerous powdery sandy beaches with warm and clear waters, providing a peaceful atmosphere, allow a great variety of water and beach facilities. After sunbathing restfully during the day, the city awaits the superb sunset. It is a great delight to watch the comings and goings of the yachts and ships with accompanience of the panoramic view of the sunset, on a pre-drink before the dinner. The restaurants, serving a variety of fresh seafood and fish and Aegean specialties, offer a delicious meal in Kusadasi. Dancing and entertaining at a lively places until dawn, may end an ideal day in Kuşadası.
- Priene:
Priene is an ancient Greek city which lies between the popular holiday resorts of Kusadasi and Bodrum. It is one of many important ancient sites in the area and is close to both Miletus and Ephesus. Even though it is a very small city, the real charm of Priene lies in its quiet appeal and off-the-beaten-track atmosphere.
The origins of Priene are unknown, though legend dates the city’s founding to Athenian settlers in the 11th or 10th centuries BC. Although Priene itself may have never been a major power, its location in the heart of a region that constantly witnessed the clashes of empires ensured it saw an almost continual flow of conquerors, occupiers and ‘liberators’.
Visitors to Priene can view the Temple of Athena, the ancient theatre and the well preserved council chamber (Bouleuterion). Also found at the site are the remains of Roman baths and gymnasiums, the ruins of an ancient Synagogue and the ‘House of Alexander the Great’ – where it is reported that the young conqueror stayed during his siege of Miletus in 334 BC.
As well as these historic sites, visitors to Priene can simply wander the side streets and houses of this Hellenistic city to explore the ruins in peace and quiet.
- Miletus:
Judging by the modest number of tourists reaching the ruins of Miletus, it is hard to believe that in the antiquity it was one of the most important cities of the region, in its heyday challenging the power of Ephesus. Founded by the Greeks on the coast of Asia Minor, Miletus will be remembered in the annals of history as the birthplace of mathematician Thales and two famous philosophers, Anaxagoras and Anaximander. Miletus was also one of the oldest and most important Greek cities of Ionia, boasting not one, but four harbors. Today, the crowds of sightseers from all over the world rub shoulders in Ephesus, leaving the pleasure of discovering the secrets of Miletus to small groups of curious visitors who manage to reach this site.
Miletus is famous in the ancient world for its intellectual, artistic, economic and political life.
Strategically located on the southwest coast of Anatolia, on a promontory near the mouth of the river Meandro, it housed an important caravan route connecting Mesopotamia to the shores of the Aegean Sea and its many thriving islands. In fact, Milet traded with dozens of colonies located on the shores of the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea.
- Didyma:
The ancient Didyma, called Didim today, situated in Aydın Province in the southwest of Turkey, was the most renowned sanctuary of the Hellenic world. It was connected to the great classical city of Miletus by a 17 kilometer-long Sacred Road. The area was settled in the Neolithic period, established as a colony of Crete followed by Mycenae in the 16th century BC, and subsequently possessed by Lycians, Persians, Seleucids, Attalids, Ancient Romans, and Byzantines as part of the province of Caria.
Apollo is considered to be one of the Twelve Olympians in Greek Mythology. He is the son of Zeus and Leto, and has a twin-sister Artemis, the Moon-Goddess. According to the legend, their mother Leto gave birth to the twins in Ortyga Woods. Didymaion means “twins” and this is the reason why the place where the Temple of Apollo stands was called “Didyma.”
The Temple, 109 meters long and 51 meters wide, used to be the third biggest temple of the ancient world after the largest one, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the Temple of Hera in Samos Island. All these historical monuments were located in a place of damaging earthquakes, even though the Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Hera were completely destroyed, the Temple of Apollo remained standing.
- Historical Areas:
Aside from the glorious beaches, months of sunny weather and wealth of bars and restaurants to relax in, Kusadasi is a hotbed of culture with a rich historical background. As a result, there is much more to do on your visit than you might think.
- Shopping:
Like the town itself, Kusadasi shopping life is so colorful. There are local products as well as world famous brands. On one side a precious handmade diamond ring designed by a local artist serves to a high end buyer where at the same time a stall with fresh local figs and grapes are a feast to another traveler. The bazaar area around the main port hosts thousands of cruise customers almost every day. Going a bit deeper to the city center, local Turkish department stores, bookstores, everyday shops range along the streets.
- Entertainment & Nightlife:
Kuşadası’s colorful, lively nightlife and if you want to relax and have fun in that nightlife you have many options. Kusadasi is very active in the night life. Discos, folk bars, rum taverns, live music playing venues, bars street, old town entertainment venues are located in a large number. Although it is very busy during the summer months, it peaks with the holidaymakers coming from the surrounding provinces especially on weekends.
During the summer months, you can relax and enjoy the nightlife, which also includes popular Turkish artists.
- Food & Drink:
Although the dining scene in Kuşadası is unavoidably tourist oriented, there are still a number of traditional Turkish cafes that can provide an authentic meal. Every kind of international cuisine can be found in Kusadasi as well; even American fast food chains. You should also check out the restaurants along the harbour for incredibly fresh seafood.
- Water Sports:
Kuşadası is a port city where you can easily benefit from the facilities of the Aegean Sea. This is why you can find almost all kinds of water sports in the city. There are many sunken ships and planes in the coastal area of Kuşadası, which is known for diving tourism. Enjoy this majestic underwater with underwater observation houses and diving academies.
Sunken ships, sunken cities, rich underwater world famous for scuba diving on the Aegean coast, do not finish your holiday.
- Safari:
There are many options for a fun day in Kusadasi. Some of them are Jeep Safari, Horse Safari and Quad Safari. Tours between Kusadasi and villages offers tourists the chance to see the scenery of exciting and natural beauties. You will witness the nature of Kuşadası by seeing the villages and daily life of Kuşadası.
- Nature Walks:
You can enjoy mountain and nature walks on different tracks in and around Kuşadası with panoramic views throughout the history.
- Boat Trip:
Through the Kusadasi boat trip, you can move to places using a boat or enjoying your time while on a vacation. Boating trips give you all the time to rest and recuperate well away from work. The trip leaves you relaxed and rejuvenated to handle your work later with more strength. Actually, spending your time on the cool water is soothing and relaxing for many people as well. This acts as a mind therapy making you very cool.
- Sheeted Sandwich (Çarşaflı):
A type of sandwich that includes sausage, tomatoes, pickles, french fries, ketchup, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese. The name comes from cheese spread like a sheet on a sandwich.
- Turkish Pancake:
It is a pastry but low calorie due to its very thin paste. The pancake is cooked with various internal ingredients. These ingredients can be mashed potatoes, spinach, cheese and other vegetables
- Mashed Broad Beans (Fava):
Beans or peas made with olive oil paste. It is also served as an appetizer.
- Artichokes in Oil:
Artichoke is a plant that has been among the useful plants since ancient times. It is filled with boiled vegetables and cooked and then served with olive oil. You can also see it as an appetizer.
