Kusadasi
Kuşadası @ Travel Turkey
Kusadasi is a resort town in the province of Aydin on the Aegean coast of Turkey, 90 km south of İzmir. Kuşadası is near the ancient city of Ephesus and to other places of interest including Miletos, Didim and Pamukkale, and a short distance across from Kuşadası lies the island of Samos.
About Kusadasi
The name comes from ‘kuş’ (bird) and ‘ada’ (island) as the peninsula has the shape of a bird’s head (as seen from the sea). Throughout the ages it has been known as Ephesus Neopolis, Scala Nuova, becoming Kush-Adasi at the beginning of the 20th century. People from the Aegean region generally shorten the name to Ada.
Kuşadası has a residential population of 50,000 rising to over half a million during the summer when the large resort fills with tourists (from Turkey itself, northern Europe and the Balkans), plus the hotel staff, bar staff, construction workers, drivers etc. required to work in the Burger Kings and Starbucks, the holiday villages, aquaparks, rock bars beach clubs and big hotels servicing all these visitors. As well as visitors from overseas there is a substantial community of foreigners resident in the area and there many estate agents selling holiday flats and villas to foreigners. Among all the ice-cream, carpets, leather, and pirated software, there are bookshops selling holiday reading in English, German, Russian and other languages.
Places of interest
In the town
Kaleiçi The city walls – There were once three gates. One remains today.
Kaleiçi Camii – the mosque built in 1618 for Grand Vizier Öküz Kara Mehmed Pasha.
The Öküz Mehmet Pasha caravanserai is near the docks. It was built in 1618 as a strong-room for the goods of seamen.
Guvercin Ada – the peninsula at the end of the bay, has a castle and swimming beaches, including a private beach and cafe with a view back across the bay to the harbour of Kuşadası. There are public beaches at the back of the peninsula, towards the open sea.
Kirazli Village – traditional Turkish koy 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Kusadasi.
Yılancı Burnu – a second peninsula beyond Güvercin Ada. Possibly the location of the original settlement of Neopolis. Some walls are visible. There are beaches and beach clubs here.
Pygale – 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north, the small point behind Hotel Pigale. Once refuge of Agamemnon. Still to be excavated.
Also several aqua-parks with wave-pools, white-water slides are located near the town: the largest are NBGS International’s Aqua Fantasy, along with Adaland and Aqua Land.
Ladies Beach – near town. Named because it was once segregated for female bathers. Now open to all.
Kadıkalesi – Venetian/Byzantine castle, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)along the Kuşadası-Davutlar road,
Panionium – 25 km (16 mi) south of Kuşadası, on the Davutlar-Güzelçamlı road. Once the central meeting place of the Ionian League. The ruins are in poor condition and their authenticity is disputed.
Dilek Peninsula National Park. South of Kuşadası, begins at the town of Güzelçamlı. Bays and beaches, including the bay of Kalamaki.