Kusadasi is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast, and the center of the seaside district of the same name within Aydın Province. Kusadasi is located 95 km south of Izmir, the area's metropolitan center, and 71 km from the provincial seat of Aydin. The city is situated along a gulf of the same name in the Aegean, with the island of Güvercin Ada connected to the mainland by a narrow passage.
Kusadasi caters to tourists arriving by land, or from the port for cruise ship passengers heading to Ephesus.
The city is a port of call for major cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean.
The port is linked by a six-lane highway to Izmir's Adnan Menderes Airport.
There are daily ferry services to the nearby Greek island of Samos. Kusadasi's bus station is a transport hub. Coach buses connect the city to various parts of the country.
Places of Interest in and near Kusadasi:
- Ancient city of Ephesus,
- House of Mother Mary,
- Ephesus Archeology Museum,
- St. John’s Basilica,
- Temple of Artemis,
- Isa Bey Mosque from 14th century
- Sirince Village,
- Beautifull countryside with vineyards, olives, figs, cherries and peaches,
- Kaleici Camii – The mosque built in 1618 for Grand Vizier Okuz Kara Mehmed Pasha.
- The Okuz Mehmed Pasha Caravanserai is near the docks. It was built in 1618 as a strong-room for the goods of seamen.
- Guvercin Adasi ("Pigeon Island" in English) – The peninsula/island at the end of the bay, which has a castle with a view back across the bay to the harbour of Kusadasi.
- Kirazli – Traditional Turkish village 12 kilometres from Kusadasi.
- Several aqua-parks with wave-pools and white-water slides are located near the town.
- Ladies Beach – Very close to the town center, one of the primary tourist attractions.
- Dilek Peninsula-Buyuk Menderes Delta National Park - About 30 kilometres south of the city center. It has several coves, beaches, canyons, and a sink cave. It is one of the most diverse and protected national parks in Turkey.
Itinerary
When you arrive in the port of Kusadasi, your private guide will be waiting to lead you to your own luxury vehicle, in which you can relax as your private shore excursion to Priene. Priene, Set dramatically at the foot of a sheer mountain wall, Priene overlooks the aptly named Meander River. This 2500 years old Ionian city was among the first to be planned with a grid system of streets.
Miletos, is an ancient city located near Akkoy at the mouth of the Buyuk Menderes (meander) River. Miletus owed its importance to its position on the trade routes. It was one of the largest cities in Anatolia with a population of between 80.000 and 100.000. Didyma was ruled by Persians, Romans and Seljuk Turks.
The next visit will be Didyma. Didyma means "twins" and it was associated by some as being the meeting place of Zeus and Leto to have their twins Apollo and Artemis. Didyma was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo, which served a similar purpose as the Delphi of Anatolia. It was not a city but a sanctuary linked to Miletos by Milesians with a 19 km/12 mi sacred road.
Drive back to Kusadasi port, where your tour concludes.
This is a private tour and includes a driver and a separate English-speaking guide who will accompany you into all attractions to provide commentary.
Contact Us : info@ephesuskusadasitours.com
