About Kuşadası
Kuşadası , one of the most important and popular tourism centers in Turkey, is famous for its increasing number of local and foreign tourists every year. As the third largest port of our country, it also has an important place in international cruise tourism. It is a favorite among tourists with its blue flag beaches, unique nature, underwater riches and Dilek Peninsula National Park. At the same time, as a district that has hosted many civilizations, it is the first holiday center that comes to mind when history, tourism and sports activities are mentioned.
Where is Kuşadası?
Kuşadası, a district of Aydın province, is located in the northwest of Aydın. It is 71 km from the city center, 95 km from Izmir, and 65 km from Izmir Aydın Menderes Airport. Although there is no definitive information, it is assumed that it was founded by the Ions under the name Neopolis in a place called Yılancı Burnu. It was first established at the foothills of Pilavtepe, at a place called Andız Kulesi, and was later removed due to transportation difficulties and established at its current location under the name of Yeni İskele (Scala Nuova).
Its population
Its population is around 110 thousand and its surface area is 264 km². Kuşadası, whose number of tourists approaches 2 million in the summer months, has played an important role as a cultural and commercial center in every period with its 9 thousand years of history. With its history, nature, clean beaches and sports activities, it offers a unique holiday opportunity to its increasing number of visitors every summer.
Geographical Structure
In Kuşadası, the mountains are parallel to the coast. The tourism season is also quite long in the district, where the average temperature does not fall below 16 degrees. There is a coastal plain in the east and southeast, and low plateaus in other parts. It has a 50 km coastline to the Aegean Sea in the west. The mountains located in the east and southeast attract attention with their natural beauty and villages that attract tourists.
Touristic Places to Visit
Although it is not a very large district, there are many places to visit and see in Kuşadası. Easily visiting these historical and touristic places close to the town center gives tourists a special pleasure. Kilometers of blue flag beaches, Kuşadası National Park, Güvercinada, Ephesus Ancient City, Didim, Miletus, House of Virgin Mary, Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai and many other points are historical and touristic places in Kuşadası and its surroundings.
Ephesus Ancient City
Founded in B.C. Dating back to 6,000 years ago and hosting many civilizations, the Ancient City of Ephesus is the most important political and commercial center of its age. It is considered one of the most important history, culture and art centers in the world. Around 1.5 million people visit the Ancient City every year. The largest temple of the Artemis cult is in Ephesus. The Temple of Artemis is one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Excavations in Ephesus have been continuing for more than 100 years. Celcus Library, King's Road, Ancient Theatre, Hillside Houses and many other archaeological works make Ephesus world famous. Polished Stone Age ruins were also found during the excavations. The Ancient City of Ephesus was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 1994 and on the main list in 2015. With the start of the UNESCO process, it started to attract more and more visitors.
You need to spare at least 3 hours to visit the Ancient City of Ephesus. Exploring the dazzling historical heritage of the ancient city after entering through the upper gate gives tourists great pleasure.
Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai
It is an Ottoman work built by Grand Vizier Öküz Mehmet Pasha in 1618 for maritime trade. Caravanserai, which was restored in 1966, is near Kuşadası. The perimeter of the courtyard measures 18.50x21.60 meters and the place has two floors. The entrance of the caravanserai is a 2.96 meter wide marble doorway and is in the north.
The door is plain-looking and covered with a low arch. Inside, there is a safe deposit box where visitors' belongings are kept, a section where the inn staff are located, and a fountain that was turned into a pool after restoration. There are rooms in every section surrounding the courtyard. Each room has a stove and cabinets of different sizes. Particular importance was given to the north and northeast directions as a precaution against attacks from the sea. The gate opening to the district bazaar is located to the east of the caravanserai.
Since the mosque inside the castle was built by Grand Vizier Öküz Mehmet Pasha, it is named after him. The entrance door of the mosque is decorated with mother-of-pearl inlays and geometric patterns. Its dome has 12 sides and 16 windows and is covered with a dome on a drum. Öküz Mehmet Pasha Mosque was significantly restored in 1830.
Guvercinada
Güvercinada has become a symbol and lucky charm of Kuşadası. It is a small island off the coast of Kuşadası and is in the Hacıfeyzullah District. It is in a position that protects Kuşadası Port. Its castle was built by Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha and its walls were built by İlyas Ağa. The walls were built to protect the island against possible attacks during the Peloponnese rebellion. The walls are 3 meters high and surround the island.
Stones brought from Yılancıburnu were used in the construction of the castle. The castle entrance gate is to the south of the walls. The northern tower is pentagonal in shape and the southern tower is cylindrical. The inscription gap above the door shows that there is an inscription further forward. The Construction inscription, consisting of 4 lines and 20 verses, is on the castle wall to the north of the city walls.
the House of the Virgin Mary
The House of Virgin Mary, which is as important for Muslims as it is for Christians, is a church that many Muslims and Christians visit to pray. The story begins with Anna Katharina Emmerick, a peasant woman from the Dülmen region, falling ill. Emmerick was bedridden for twelve years, suffering from an incurable disease. After her death, the book "The Life of Mary" was published according to the vision of Anna Katharina Emmerick.
In the last chapters of the book, it is mentioned that he lived in Ephesus for nine years. St. John had a house prepared for Mary in Ephesus. The book "Life of Mary" contains details about the house in Ephesus. He attracts the attention of Sister Maria de Mandat Grancey, the headmistress of the Karitas Daughters. Then, it begins to be investigated whether the revelations are true or not. As a result of the research, the ruins of a church hidden under the trees are seen. On December 1, 1892, Bishop Mons. Andrea Timoni climbs the Bulbul Mountain, where the church ruins are located. After his visit, he prepared an official document and announced the existence of the church to the Christian world, with great surprise and admiration.
Wishing Wall and Spring Water are the sections that attract the most attention of visitors in the Church of Virgin Mary. Wishes written on a piece of paper are hung on the wish wall. There are three fountains on the right side of the Virgin Mary Church. Fountains with drinkable quality water are visited by tourists with the belief that they are healing water.
Accommodation Opportunities
There are accommodations suitable for every budget in Kuşadası. Boutique hotels, hostels and all-inclusive luxury hotels offer services around Kuşadası center and the beach. In addition to hotels, motels and hostels, there are also alternative places for those who like camping and caravans. Many camping areas meet all the needs of tourists who want to camp. Accommodation areas are divided into areas around the beach, Kuşadası center and Soğucak. Local and foreign tourists mostly prefer to stay in Kuşadası centre. The most luxurious hotel in the center is Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Kuşadası. Other luxury accommodation alternatives are İlayda Avantgarde Hotel and Le Bleu Hotel & Resort Kuşadası.
Hotels in the city center;
Gultepe Apartments
Bakkhos Guesthouse Kuşadası
Villa Konak Hotel
Affordable hotels;
Hotel Rosy Suites Kuşadası
Yuksel Hotel
Hotel By Karaaslan
Suggestions for those who want to rent a house;
Palm Clup Aparthotel
Women's Sea Holiday Homes
Adasiesda Residence
Kuşadası Festivals
Kuşadası festivals offer enjoyable activities for those whose holidays coincide with the festival period. Even though it does not have many festivals, Kuşadası is worth organizing your holiday plans according to the festivals for those who want to experience fun and exciting moments with the festivals attended by thousands of people every year.
Kuşadası Youth Festival
Kuşadası Youth Festival, held every year in July, is a traditional festival that brings together thousands of music lovers. It started to be organized for the first time in 2017. Popular musicians and music lovers will come together for 5 days at the festival, which will be held at Sevgi Beach in Kuşadası Davutlar Region this year.
Kuşadası Motor Festival
Kuşadası Motor Festival, held every year at the end of May, will be held on 12-15 September this year. The festival, which attracted the attention of many motorcycle lovers, will be held at Jace Beach Club with concerts and shows.
Kuşadası Theater Festival
Kuşadası Theater Festival, which started for the first time in 2017, is held every year in August. Many plays are performed on different stages in the festival, in which many theater groups participate. In addition to theater performances, there are also artistic activities such as workshops, middle plays, music and dance performances.
Kuşadası Food Festival
Kuşadası's rich cuisine is introduced to visitors with the Kuşadası Food Festival, which is traditionally held every year. Kuşadası, a place with the world's largest open buffet record, offers its visitors both delicious and enjoyable moments with its Food Festival.
Food culture
Kuşadası cuisine is extremely rich and delicious. You can find all the flavors of the Aegean cuisine in Kuşadası and taste the Aegean herbs and local dishes of Aydın. Kuşadası is a very active district in terms of gastronomy; It delights the palate with many other delicacies such as olive oil dishes, soups, seafood, wines and desserts, meat dishes, stuffed vine leaves and gypsy pilaf.
Local desserts include semolina halva, pudding, zerde, lokma, pelvize dessert, rice pudding, ashure and fig naphtha. Tarhana and ear soup are soups that must be tasted. Chickpeas with meat, tandoori kebab, nesting, Arabian hair, buttermilk pastry, ivy and cattin roast are for those who want to taste different flavors during the holiday.
Değirmen Çiftliği is recommended as a place for those who want to eat local dishes and have a pleasant time. Mezgit Restaurant is popular with its appetizers and fish varieties.
Shopping
Kuşadası, which is flooded with thousands of tourists every year, has shops selling souvenirs in the center for those who want to buy special products for Kuşadası after their holiday. Local handicraft products, handmade jewelry, colorful carpets and rugs, natural leather clothing, tiles with eye-catching patterns, authentic items and evil eye beads are the products that attract attention when shopping.
Transportation Alternatives
Barel travel and Meander Travel ferry services are organized to Kuşadası, which can be reached by land, sea and air. For Barel travel ferry tickets , you can visit http://www.bareltravel.com and buy Kuşadası ferry tickets immediately by specifying the return date, adult, child, baby and vehicle status.
Kuşadası ferry ticket prices vary depending on the number of vehicles or traveling without a vehicle. You can buy Kuşadası Meander Travel ferry tickets online from the company's website http://www.meandertravel.com or from the addresses that sell Meander ferry tickets. Meander travel , which has been providing ferry services between Turkey and Greece for years, organizes ferry services from Samos to Kuşadası.
You can also go to Kuşadası, which is 65 km away from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, by bus or by renting a car after getting off the plane.
Greek Islands Visit
If you have no place to visit in Kuşadası, then you can go to
Samos Island . This is a Greek Island and is very close to Kuşadası. However, you need to get a visa to go here. Because this place is considered abroad. In this context, visa application is made at the door. In this way, you will be able to obtain a visa very easily.
In order to obtain a visa, you must send the necessary documents to your travel agency 3-4 days in advance. These documents must include a passport with at least 6 months validity, a two-page blank space in this passport, a round-trip ticket, hotel reservation information, and two biometric photographs.
Let us also point out that you can enter and exit only once with the visa you will obtain in this way. Additionally, the duration of this visa is 15 days. In addition to all these, if your passport has a TRNC stamp, you will not be allowed to enter the Greek Islands. Additionally, the fees you have paid will not be refunded.
