GENERAL INFORMATIONS ABOUT KUSADASI

Kusadasi, one of Turkey's best holiday resorts in Turkey where offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. It is situated on the west coast of Turkey, just 80 km far from Izmir airport. Kusadasi is famous for one of the most attractive city of Aegean, as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Didyma, Priene, Miletos the principals of ancient times, and ideal for sightseers.

Kusadasi means “ Bird Island” in English. Kuş is “Bird” and Ada is “Island” in English. There are two different reason that city is called as Kusadasi. The first is, as the peninsula close to Pigeon Island has the shape of a bird's head (as seen from the sea).The other reason, estimated that city took this name from Pigeon Island located in city centrum. During the Ottoman Empire, the island was used as control castle agains to enemies. Some people from the Aegean region shorten the name to Ada.

Kusadasi offers you an enormous potential of tourism with outstanding natural beauty, rich historical remains of past civilizations, 300 days a year of blue sky,sunbathing at the sandy beaches, colourful folklore and a different way of life. It is usually said to be one of the most beautiful cities facing the Aegean Sea since the scenery and landscape of the area is just as fascinatingly beautiful as its history. It has been a center of art and culture not only of Turkey but also of many civilizations since it was found in 3000 B.C.

The city has an open sea side at the back of the peninsula, where public beaches are located. Among the most popular swimming spots in Kusadasi is the Ladies Beach, known as such because before, only women can exclusively bathe in that area, which is now open to men as well. What makes the city more alluring to vacationers are its conveniences and luxurious establishments.

It offers top class restaurants, a number of aqua parks, high-starred hotels and beach bars. Along with such amenities is Turkey’s natural scenery of open beaches lined with palm trees, blue waters and clear skies, and historical sites that are Turkey’s memoirs of the past. Kusadasi indeed is a perfect getaway for tourists, truly a wonderful escapade to paradise. Numerous powdery sandy beaches with warm&clear waters, providing a peaceful atmosphere, allow a great variety of water and beach facilities. Windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and beach volley are only a few choice for the lovers of active life. After sunbathing restfully during the day, the city awaits the superb sunset. As the sun sets, the attractive cafes and restaurants through the palm-lined boulevard, get busier. 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 &fish and Aegean specialties, offer a delicious meal in Kusadasi. Dancing and entertaining at a lively bar or a disco until dawn, may end an ideal day in Kusadasi.

There are regular voyages to Greece ( Samos Island ) from the port of Kusadasi, that enables the arrival of huge cruise liners of the world. Furher more, being one of the most significant marinas on Aegean seashore with its capacity of 700 yachts and other broad facilities, Kusadasi Marina makes it very convenient for those who want to travel to Kusadasi by sea.

Demographics of Kusadasi
According to last census, population of Kusadasi about 60.000 inhabitants in off-season. The population increases 10 times more in the summer with the Turkish people who come for vacation, plus the hotel staff, bar staff, construction workers, and drivers who are needed to work in the restaurants, holiday villages, aquaparks, rock bars, beach clubs and hotels servicing all these visitors. In addition to the visitors from overseas there is a substantial community of foreigners resident in the area.

Economy of Kusadasi
Kuşadası caters to tourists, arriving by land, and as the port for cruise ship passengers heading to Ephesus. In a controversial deal in 2003 the previously public-owned port was leased to a private company and renovated to attract luxury cruise liners.

Real estate agents sell holiday flats and villas. Among all the ice-cream, carpets, leather, and software, there are bookshops selling books in English, German, Russian and other languages.

Old houses near the seafront, some of them converted to bars and cafes, are the remnants of old Kuşadası, which has become a modern-European looking town. The hills behind are built up with big hotels and blocks of holiday flats. The building boom in the late 80s and onwards has been continued into the hinterland of Kuşadası.

Beside the tourism, the local people makes agriculture, mainly produce olives.

Transportation in Kusadasi
Transport around the town is by dolmuş (minibus). The price for dolmuş is about 1 USD from the hotels to centrum. Plus, every hotel in Kusadasi has Taxi services to centrum. But what costs? It changes depents to distance of your hotel to centrum.

There are bus and taxi services to the nearest airports, in İzmir and Bodrum.

Day trips are available by boat from Kuşadası and Güzelçamlı.

The city is a port of call for cruise ships. Most of the travel agencies in Kusadası provide Private Tours around Kusadasi, especially to Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John, etc. Additionally, you can find taxi service from pier as well to the everyside of Kusadasi.

There are daily ferry services to the nearby Greek island of Samos

Places of interest in Kusadasi

In the town

• 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 village 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Kuşadası.

• 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. Once the refuge of Agamemnon. Not yet excavated.

• Several aqua-parks with wave-pools, white-water slides are located near the town.

• 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.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES IN KUSADASI