Kusadasi
61 km from Aydin city center. It is located on the coastline where the Aegean Region meets the sea. The district center is bordered by Selçuk and Pamucak in the north and the Dilek Peninsula in the south; It is located at the center of important tourist centers such as Izmir, Ephesus, Virgin Mary, Miletus, Didim, Pamukkale, Marmaris and Bodrum. Kuşadası Port is Turkey's second important sea gate for tourists coming here, as it is close to the Greek island of Samos.

KUŞADASI, THE PEARL OF THE AEGEAN

Famous historian Herodotus used the expression "The most beautiful earth under the sky" for Aydın province. It is located in the province of Aydın, where the blue of the sky meets the Aegean Sea, where you can watch magnificent sunsets and do all kinds of activities; Kuşadası, the first place where tourism started in Turkey, is the pearl of the Aegean.

Kuşadası includes all kinds of tourism types and activities with its sea, sun, sand, blue flag beaches, history, culture, national park, cruise port, marina, Congress Center, thermal facilities, local food, shopping opportunities and entertainment life.

Kuşadası, one of Turkey's most important tourism centers, takes its name from Güvercin Island located in the district. Selçuk, Pamucak in the north; In the south, Kuşadası is surrounded by Dilek Peninsula National Park; It is also preferred due to its close location to popular holiday destinations such as Ephesus, Virgin Mary, Didim, Miletus, Pamukkale, Marmaris and Bodrum.

Kuşadası, which becomes very lively especially in the summer months, turns into a center where travel lovers flock for 12 months with its harbour, marina with stylish places, beautiful beaches, aquaparks, bazaars appealing to all tastes, lively nightlife, warming sun and friendly people.

Kuşadası, which is also home to the world's largest plane wreck, has become the apple of the eye of diving enthusiasts.

WHERE TO VISIT, WHAT TO EAT?

Beaches: Kuşadası's world-famous blue flag beaches, with their unique sand, welcome not only those who love Kuşadası, but also Caretta Caretta sea turtles, which are in danger of extinction, and prefer these beaches to lay their eggs. The bays within the National Park, Ladies' Sea, Yılancı Burnu, Sevgi Beach, Pigale and Sahil Sitesi beaches are the main beaches where you can enjoy the sea, sun and sand.

Güvercinada: Described as the most important symbol of Kuşadası today, Güvercin Island is the apple of the eye of local tourists as well as foreign tourists with its magnificent sunset views and historical atmosphere. 

Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai: It was built by Grand Vizier Öküz Mehmet Pasha in 1618. There is a two-storey, porticoed indoor space around the rectangular courtyard surrounded by thick and high walls. It was built using rubble stone and spolia materials. The caravanserai, which looks like a small inner castle, has rooms lined up around a large courtyard. It has been restored in various periods.

Kaleiçi: It is one of the largest open-air shopping centers in our country. It is a unique place within the historical texture where you can buy products such as carpets, jewellery, leather, textiles, shoes and souvenirs, eat at its restaurants and have fun with all kinds of live music on Bar Street in the evening. 

Gazibegendi:

You can watch the panoramic view of Kuşadası from Gazibeğendi Hill, which is the place that Atatürk watched and liked when he first visited Kuşadası, and witness the unique sunset views while sipping your coffee.

Dilek Peninsula National Park

Dilek Peninsula National Park, 28 km away from Kuşadası, is one of the places you must see if you are a nature lover. As you continue along the main road after the entrance, if you turn right after the 1st km, you will reach İçmeler Bay. Icmeler, a beautiful bay in the shade of trees, has a sea completely covered with sand and is lower in depth than the other bays of the National Park. Aydınlık Bay, which is 4 km further from İçmeler beach, after a while after leaving the main road, you will first encounter a gravel road and then a dirt road. The road leading down to the beach approaches the sea until it is 4-5 meters away, and then proceeds along the entire beach parallel to the sea. If you are not one of those who lie down and sunbathe by the sea, you can enjoy walking inland, towards the hills, through the paths among the dense trees in the National Park. The Canyon and Steep Rock Valley at the 6th km is a good trekking route with its small streams, dense vegetation and paths.

It has been determined that approximately 250 bird species live in the delta and 70 of them breed. With this feature, the delta is on the "Important Bird Area" list and has been included in the bird research and observation program.

Fish Restaurants, Local Dishes and Aegean Herbs

Kuşadası, the pearl of the Aegean, is also very rich in terms of gastronomy. You can eat fresh fish daily at the fish restaurants along the coastline or taste local delicacies such as keskek, marjoram, bolama, kapama, black-eyed peas with olive oil, stuffed zucchini flowers, and roasted cats. Cibes grass, shevketi bostan, sea cowpea, tangle and radish are just a few of the Aegean herbs you can find in Kuşadası neighborhood markets and restaurants. You can taste the unique flavors of Aegean cuisine to your heart's content in Kuşadası.

KUŞADASI AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

Ephesus Ruins: Ephesus Ruins, which is 18 km away from Kuşadası, has always played an important role in the fields of civilization, science, culture and art throughout its history dating back to the 5th millennium BC and is one of the most important centers of the ancient world. Ephesus was an important port city that was the main gateway between the East and the West (Asia and Europe), and with this location, it developed as the most important political and commercial center of its age.

The fact that the Temple of Artemis, based on the ancient mother goddess (Cybele) tradition of Anatolia and considered one of the seven wonders of the world, is located in Ephesus further increases the importance of the city.

At Ephesus Ruins, you can see unique architectural works such as the Celsius Library, Slope Houses, and Theater and breathe the air of Antiquity. 

House of Virgin Mary: 19 km from Kuşadası. The House of Virgin Mary, located in the distance, is located on Bülbül Mountain. 4 or 6 years after Jesus' death, St. It is known that John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus. In 1891, upon the dream of the German nun A. Katherina Emerich, Lazarist priests discovered that the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last days was this place. This event was a brand new discovery in the Christian world and shed light on the world of religion. This cross-planned and domed building was later restored. In the house, which is also considered sacred by Muslims, Pope VI. After Paul's visit in 1967, ceremonies are held every year on the 15th of August and these ceremonies attract great attention.

Şirince Village: The history of Şirince village, which is only 29 km away from Kuşadası, dates back to BC. It dates back to 500 BC. Şirince offers unforgettable tastes to visitors with its history, architectural texture, vineyards, homemade table wines, delicious garbage kebab, flatbread and village products. 

HOW TO GO?

By the highway;

Kuşadası; It is 660 km from Istanbul, 635 km from Ankara and 95 km from Izmir. To reach Kuşadası from Istanbul; The Istanbul–Bursa–Balıkesir–Manisa–İzmir–Selçuk–Kuşadası route can be followed. To reach Kuşadası from Ankara, one of the routes Ankara–Uşak–Manisa–İzmir–Selçuk–Kuşadası or Ankara–Afyon–Denizli–Aydın–Kuşadası can be preferred.

By bus;

You can reach Kuşadası from all over Turkey with bus companies.

By air;

The nearest airport is Izmir Airport. Apart from this, local and/or foreign tourists also use Bodrum and Dalaman Airports to reach Kuşadası. The distance from Kuşadası to Izmir Airport is 95 km. The distance to Bodrum Airport is 185 km. The distance to Dalaman Airport is 260 km.