Kusadasi
is a lively resort that has something to offer
everyone. Whether you like exploring, relaxing
on one of the many beautiful beaches or snapping
up a bargain, Kusadasi has it all. Here are 41
must-dos when on holiday in Kusadasi
1 Visit the ancient city of Ephesus and the
Virgin Marys House
A holiday to Kusadasi is not complete without
going on a tour to the ruins of the spectacular
ancient city of Ephesus and the peaceful Virgin
Mary house.
2 Sit at the Port and watch the Cruise ships
come and go
Sip a frappuccino in Starbucks located in the
shopping center of Scala Nuova and watch the
cruiseships come and go.
3 Eat in a Turkish restaurant to get a true
idea of the delicious Turkish cuisine
Visit Bul Bul, Avlu, Alo24 or one of the many
other Turkish restaurants and eat like a local,
great food & great prices.
4 Spend the day at one of Kusadasis many
beaches
Ladies Beach, Long Beach, Silver Sands Beach or
Love Beach, each one offers different activities
for a perfect day of relaxation.
5 Have a drink in the rooftop bar at Dejazar
Wine Bar
Chill out with an ice cold Efes or a glass of
wine on Dejazars fabulous roof terrace and
watch a beautiful sunset over Kusadasi Marina.
6 Explore Pigeon Island and visit the museum
Pigeon Island, also known as Bird Island, is the
symbol of Kusadasi and where the name Kusadasi
(meaning Bird Island) originated from. Visit the
Museum inside the old Byzantine Castle or simply
sit down and enjoy the panoramic view of
Kusadasi.
7 Go on a Jeep safari and explore the
surrounding areas of Kusadasi
Spend the day exploring the mountains of the
National Park or the hills behind Sirince in an
off road jeep. Its a fun, dirty day out with
constant water fights between the jeeps going
on, lunch is included.
8 Spend the day whizzing down the slides at
Adaland or Aqua Fantasy
Adaland and Aqua Fantasy are the two main
waterparks in Kusadasi. Spend the racing down
slides with names such as Black Thunder and
Kamikaze, join in with the rain dance or simply
take the relaxing option and float around the
Lazy River on a rubber ring.
9 Visit the town of Selcuk
Selcuk, a small town 20 minutes away from
Kusadasi, is is one of the most visited
touristic destinations within Turkey because of
its closeness to Ephesus. There are also other
places of interest in Selcuk including The
Castle, The Basilica of St John and the Isa Bey
mosque. You should also try the famous (and very
delicious) p ?i? (small chunks of grilled
lamb and fat) in one of the many restaurants.
10 Spend Saturday morning at Selcuk Market
Selcuk Market is held every Saturday from early
in the morning until late at night. Browse
around the many stalls where you can pick up
bargains. The Dolmus (minibus) departs from
Kusadasi to Selcuk regularly and costs 4 lira
per person each way.
11 Pay a visit to the old Greek Village of
Sirince
Located 30kms from Kusadasi, this picturesque
village with small cafes and wine houses with a
magnificent view over fields, orchards,
vineyards and olive groves is worth a visit. Eat
traditional Turkish pancakes known as gozleme
in one of the many cafes and try the fruit wines
which Sirince has become famous for producing.
Take the dolmus to Selcuk and then another to
Sirince from the Selcuk bus station.
12 Go on a horse safari and swim with the
horses
If youre into horses this is an excursion for
you. Trek through forests and over mountains
until you reach the rural beach of Pamucak where
you have the chance to swim with the horses and
gallop along the sandy beach.
13 Take a day trip to Izmir
Izmir is Turkeys third largest city and 85kms
away from Kusadasi. With palm-lined promenades
full of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. Old
fashioned ferries, the best way to travel around
the city, take you over the beautiful bay and
are a great way to experience one of Turkeys
most cosmopolitan and lively cities. In
June/July Izmir is host to an International Arts
Festival and in August/September the
International Fair is held in the Alsancak
district.
14 Visit The National Park for clean crystal
clear beaches
Located 30 km (19 miles) south of Kusadasi
towards Guzelcamli, youll find the beautifully
preserved National Park, known in Turkish as the
Millipark. Whether you like hiking in the
mountain trails or lying on a beach relaxing,
the national park is a little piece of paradise.
Its a great place to snorkel or enjoy a picnic
on one of the four main beaches.
15 Take a dip in the Cave of Zeus
Hidden away by trees and flowers before the
entrance to the National Park youll find the
secret and mystical Cave of Zeus. Its often one
of the last stops on a jeep safari as the
sparkling clear and deep mineral water inside
the cave makes it a perfect place to swim. Its
very very cold during the summer and is a real
welcome relief from the searing heat.
16 Enjoy a delicious meal on Ladies Beach
whilst watching the beautiful sunset
The Ladies Beach promenade full of shops, bars
and restaurants is a perfect place to end the
day. One of the most popular restaurants
Somewhere Else offers great meals and a lovely
seating area outside where you can eat a
delicious meal and watch the Sunset over Samos.
17 Take a boat trip around the bays near
Kusadasi
A trip to Kusadasi isnt complete without going
on a boat trip. Discovering the nearby areas
only accessible by boat makes for a wonderful
day out. Stop off to swim in the crystal clear
water followed by a lunch at sea which usually
consists of fish, hamburgers, rice, pasta, salad
and bread.
18 Visit a Hamam and have a Turkish bath
A Turkish Bath, known as a Hamam, is an
experience that should not be missed when
visiting Turkey. Relax in the steam room on a
heated stone table called a goebektasas while
the tellak (member of staff) massages and
exfoliates your skin with a coarse mitt. You
should visit the hamam during the first few days
of your holiday, as it prepares your skin for
the sun and makes your tan last longer.
19 Go on a day trip to Pamukkale
Pamukkale is one of the most extraordinary
natural wonders in Turkey. The big attraction is
a vast white cliff side with scallop-shaped
basins of water and frozen waterfalls. It looks
as if its made out of snow or cloud or balls of
cotton, it really is an amazing sight. Its a
weird and wonderful experience to walk along the
top of the cliff, where centuries of
mineral-filled water spilling over the edge has
left snowy white cascades. Take a dip in the
enchanting thermal spring known as Cleopatras
pool. With collapsed Roman columns at the bottom
and surrounded by beautiful blossoming flowers,
its a very relaxing experience.
20 Discover the ancient Greek city of
Aphrodisias
The ancient city of Aphrodisias was once a small
city in Caria, Asia Minor. It is located near
the modern village of Geyre which is roughly 170
km from Izmir. Wander around the archaeological
zone, and have a look at the theatre and the
ruins of the Baths of Hadrian. A visit to the
Museum which has a collection of sculptural
treasures, Graeco-Roman statues and ceramics
dating from Bronze Age is a must.
21 Climb to the top of Ataturk Hill for a
truly spectacular view over Kusadasi
High on the hill overlooking Pigeon Island you
will notice a statue of the famous Ataturk, who
was the founder of the Republic of Turkey. The
views from the top are arguably the best in
Kusadasi with a panoramic view over the entire
bay. The road leading to the top is fairly
steep, so getting a taxi is the best way to
travel there.
22 Spend the day and/or night at one of
Kusadasis Beach Clubs
Kusadasi has four main beach clubs Elevens,
Jade, Miracle and Elias. By day you can lounge
around on the big cushions and hammocks soaking
up the sun and by night as the music gets louder
and the drinks start to flow you can dance until
the early hours of the morning. A small entrance
fee is charged, the price is usually higher at
the weekends.
23 Go on a quad safari a guaranteed fun,
dirty day out
Much like the jeep safari, the quad safari is
for those that like an action packed day out.
Take the quads along the dirt tracks before
quadding to the beach for more exciting driving
over the sand dunes and a dip in the sea.
24 Goto the Degirmen Restaurant
Located on the road between Kusadasi and
Davutlar youll find the Degirmen Restaurant.
Set in luscious green grounds with a large pond
with lots of ducks and an Indiana Jones rope
bridge, a petting zoo, a cafe, a bakery and lots
of animals including horses, peacocks, donkeys,
chickens, goats and even camels The Degirmen
Restaurant is a favourite for families with
children. Open all year round the restaurant,
with its old Turkish decor and log fire offers,
a fine menu. There is also a small cafe which
serves gozleme and other Turkish snacks.
25 Step back in time in Kirazli Village
Kirazli Village, known in English as Cherry
Village, is worth a visit if only to see the
real, peaceful Turkey that still exists. This
picturesque village which can be reached by
dolmus or car, makes you feel like youre in a
different world after the hustle and bustle of
Kusadasi. Kirazli is a nice place to wander
around, there are some lovely restaurants
serving meals from organic local produce
Kirazli is big on organic farming where you
can enjoy a slow meal and the peace. There is a
weekend cherry festival in June and its then
that the village is at its busiest. There are
displays of traditional dancing and handicrafts
and stalls everywhere selling fruit.
26 Visit a mosque
Visiting a mosque is a profound experience and
one that will leave you feeling very calm and
serene. Be sure to follow the rules such as do
not aim your camera at anyone who may be
praying, dress appropriately as to not
disrespect worshipers and take off your shoes
before entering the mosque.
27 Mingle with the Turkish people as much as
you can
Turkish people welcome you to their country with
open arms and warm smiles. Learn a few simple
phrases in Turkish, they will not go
unappreciated. The Turkish people truly go out
of their way to make your holiday the best that
it can be and the Turkish hospitality is often
something that brings tourists back year after
year.
28 Visit one of the Kusadasi Markets
There are 3 markets held in Kusadasi;
*The Tuesday market is the fruit and veg market.
*The Wednesday Market is the clothes and
textiles market. Its very busy with lots of
hustling and bustling going on. Bargains aplenty
with all the latest genuine fake designer goods.
*The Friday Market is held in the same place as
the Wednesday market and sells fruit and
vegetables.
The Wednesday Market is the most popular, with
stalls full of spices, souvenirs, bags, jeans
and other clothes. Haggling there is a must and
if you feel like you are getting ripped off,
walk away.
29 The old Village of Doganbey
On the edge of the National Park, youll find
the Old Village of Doganbey, which dates back
from ancient times. The village is like an open
air museum, demonstrating the most beautiful
examples of Turkish and Greek architecture
carrying the traces of pass civilizations. The
visitor and information centre is housed in a
historical building, along side a chapel and a
church. The village, previously know as Domatia
was populated by Greeks until the population
exchange in 1923 when it became a Turkish
village. Some of the buildings where restored in
2001.
The site is open 8.30 18.00, 7 days a week and
is close to Priene.
30 Shop til you drop
Kusadasi is a shoppers paradise. There are lots
of tourist shops that sell souvenirs, jewelery,
carpets and leather as well as markets, and
shopping centers. You can find many fake brands
such as Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and
Calvin Klein to name but a few. Jeans, handbags,
sunglasses, belts and watches seem to be the
most popular purchases and you have to haggle
over the price. A tip would be to start with a
ridiculously high number and gradually work your
way down until you feel like youre getting a
good deal. Some shops have price tags on their
goods, you dont need to haggle in them.
31 Indulge in a traditional Turkish breakfast
A typical Turkish breakfast consists of slices
of beyaz peynir (white cheese), honey or jam,
black olives, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, clotted
water buffalo cream (kaymak), boiled eggs and
piles of delicious fresh Turkish bread all
accompanied by hot black tea in small
tulip-shaped glasses. Its a great way to set
you up for the day. The most popular places to
eat a Turkish breakfast is in the village of
Sirince or the Hanimaga restaurant on the way to
Kirazli Village.
32 Try the Orient bar in the old town always a
top night out
Tucked away in the heart of Kaleici, the old
part of Kusadasi, youll find The Orient Bar.
With live music, grape vines hanging from the
ceilings and old Turkish instruments and
pictures on the walls you get a true feel of a
Turkish tavern.
33 Go white water rafting at Adaland
Adaland is one of the most popular waterparks in
Kusadasi, and was voted by the New York Post as
one of the best waterparks in the world.
White water rafting is a must-do if you visit
Adaland. It can be done daily at 14.45 until
15.45 and costs an extra 10 lira per person.
34 Visit a Turkish hairdressers
With generations of harem ladies preceding them,
Turkish women know all about looking after
themselves. If they can afford to they will
visit their local hairdresser on a weekly basis.
If you forgot to wax before coming away, try the
heated sugar and white linen strip method
perfected in this part of the world and for the
perfect eyebrow shape, all it needs is a twisted
piece of cotton, a good eye and a steady hand.
For the men a trip to the barbers will be an
unforgettable one. After an old fashioned shave
with a sterile disposable blade attached to the
razor. The face is then rinsed, patted dry,
cologne is slapped on and cream massaged in
before a dusting of powder completes the
process. For those with a hairy nostril or ear
lobes there is a treat in store! Brandishing a
small, lit, poker type instrument they deftly
burn the offending hairs away and then for the
stubborn stray hairs remaining on the upper
cheeks a tweezer is produced. An unforgettable
experience and probably the best shave you will
ever have.
35 Enjoy an evening out at the Turkish Night
The Turkish Night, held in the beautiful old
Caravanserai every Thursday, Friday and Saturday
night, is a night out you wont forget. With
traditional Turkish music, folk dancing and
belly dancing it makes for a great evening of
traditional Turkish entertainment. Beers and
wine are included in the ticket price and you
can watch the show whilst dining from a
delicious buffet.
36 Do a tandem sky dive at Seluk and see the
wonders of Ephesus from the air
The Ephesus airport in Selcuk gives holiday
makers the chance to Sky Dive, parachute, go on
airplane tours or take to the air with a
microlight flying session. If youre an
adrenaline junkie then this is for you, with
wonderful birds eye views over Ephesus, the
port, the beaches and the rest of Kusadasi this
will make an unforgettable holiday memory.
Customized routes are available.
37 Visit Adalands new Seapark
The latest addition to the Adaland Empire is the
new Seapark which makes a great day out for all
the family. Start off in the Aquarium room with
the big ship wreck and glass windows that allow
you to discover the underwater worlds of
dolphins, sharks and the tropical reef. Theres
a Dolphin pool, Shark Tank, Tropical Reef,
Stingray Pool and a man made beach. Its very
nicely laid out with gardens and a lazy river
where you can relax. For those of you that would
like to get more hands on, there are
opportunities to cage dive with the sharks, swim
with the dolphins and feed the stingrays.
38 Davutlar Thermal Baths
Enjoy a relaxing day at one of Davutlars thermal
resorts the Natur Med Hotel and Radon Thermal.
The Natur Med has a mineral content of 5 grams
per litre and a temperature of 41C and Radon
Thermal has a mineral content of over 6 grams
per litre and a temperature of 42C. Because
they contain so many natural minerals Turkeys
thermal baths are known to have healing
properties and therapeutic effects.
39 Scuba Diving
Discover the underwater world of Kusadasi on a
scuba diving adventure. There are three main
locations for diving in Kusadasi bay the shore
dive, Barabaros Reef and Adabanko Reef. There
are many Diving centers in Kusadasi, the most
popular being Aqua Venture, where various scuba
diving programmes and certificates are
available. Uncertified divers will always be
with a qualified and experienced diver so if
its something youve always wanted to do, nows
your chance.
40 Soke Shopping Outlets
Soke factory outlet shops are located
approximately 40 minutes from Kusadasi, along
the main road on the way to Bodrum. There are 4
outlets next to each other where you will find a
range of stores including Quiksilver, Adidas,
Nike, Benetton, Billabong, Levis and Toys R Us.
The outlets can be reached by dolmus from
Kusadasi to Soke.
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