About Kusadasi Turkey

 

Kusadasi is one of Turkey’s beach resort town and a major cruise ship destination on the western Aegean coast - 90km south of Izmir - offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Located right on the Aegean Sea, this historic port city dates back to the ancient Greeks. Over the centuries, the city fell into the hands of the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, all of who contributed to the city’s growth and development. Kusadasi is reputed for being one of the most attractive cities of the Aegean and it is a jumping-off point as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Temple of Artemis, Goddess Artemis, House of Virgin Mary, Seven Sleepers, Didyma, Priene, Miletos. Kusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, providing a long tourism season. The city is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year.

 

You can find a beach for swimming even in the city center. While there is a beach right in the middle of Kusadasi the town’s most famous swimming spot is Ladies Beach. You can get there in minutes by taking a dolmus from the times when men and women did not bathe in the sea together. However, nowadays that is most certainly not the case. The long open beach, lined with palm trees, has numerous outlets providing food, drink and deserves its popularity.

 

There are many excursions available in Kusadasi for either a full or half day, whether you like historical places, lazy days at sea, or action packed adventures – there is something to suit everyone.

For those that seek adventure – the jeep safari, horse safari, buggy safari, quad safari, scuba divinga and  famous aqua parks are for you. Explore the mountain roads and deserted beaches, drive over sand dunes and swim with the horses in the sea. Lunch and transportation to and from your hotel are usually included in the price.

 

For a more relaxed day out and an excursion in Kusadasi which more a less every holiday maker does at least once, is the boat trip. On the boat trip you can explore Kusadasi from the water, discover different bays, swim in deserted coves and enjoy a nice lunch onboard the gullet.

Kusadasi is a shopper’s paradise with an endless range of shops and bazaars offering excellent value in genuine fake designer goods, carpets, leather, jewelery, souvenir’s, silks and clothes.

Kusadasi is an ideal holiday destination for singles, couples, families, or retirees, offering something for everyone.

 

What does Kusadasi mean in Turkish?

Kusadasi, meaning “Bird's Island”, is a world-famous resort and one of the most popular cruise ship ports in all of Turkey. It is neither an island nor are there birds as there used to be but, every summer, thousands of tourists migrate here in their stead.

What language does Kusadasi speak?

Kusadasi is located in southwestern Turkey and the official language of the country is Turkish. However since Kusadasi is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, foreign languages are widely spoken by the locals.

 

Magnificent shore excursions from Kusadasi !

 

History of Kusadasi;

It is thought that Kusadası was founded by the Ionians, under the name Neopolis, in the Yilanci Burnu location, affiliated with Ephesus.  B.C.3000 Lelegs B.C.in the 11th century Aeolians , B.C. In the 9th century, Ionians dominated the region. The region between the Great Meander and Gediz river was called Ionia in ancient times. The Ionians, who were merchants and sailors, quickly became rich thanks to overseas trade and had a superior political power. They founded 12 cities called "Ionian Colonies" in history.

 

Kusadasi was one of the main ports of Anatolia that opened to the Mediterranean in antiquity. It was called Neopolis in that time. In the 7th century BC the Lydians, whose capital was Sardes became dominant in the region.

 

The Persian domination that started in 546 BC continues until Alexander the Great seized all of Anatolia in 334 BC. After that, as a synthesis of Greek civilization and native Anatolian civilization in Anatolia- a whole new era- a new concept of art and culture becomes dominant and this age is called "Hellenistic Age". Ephesus, Miletus, Priene and Didyma are the most famous cities of this era.

 

In the 2nd century BC Romans dominated the region. In the early years of Christianity, Ephesus becomes a religious centre with the fact that Virgin Mary and one of her apostles St. Jean settled here. Miletus is the Episcopal center in the Christian era, as well.

The city was founded earlier on the foot of the mountain, in the place called the Andes Tower. After a while, the Venetians and Genoese were economically dominant in this shore which used to belong to the Byzantines.

After a while, the Venetians and Genoese were economically dominant in this shore which used to belong to the Byzantines. With the reasons of transportation difficulties; Kusadasi was taken from Andes Tower district and it was established with the name Scala Nuova (New Port) in its present place.

Pigeon Island, which is today linked to Kusadasi and has a historical castle on it, was an outpost protecting the borders in the time of the Byzantines. Pigeon Island, which served as an important military base for the city by Venetians and Ottomans, saw a major renovation in 1834 and its famous castle was built. The name "Kusadasi" comes from this castle.

 

In 1186, with the 2nd Kilic Arslan’s seize of the region, the Turkish domination starts here. The region became an export gate of the caravan routes to the Aegean region in this period. However, the sovereignty of the Seljuk State took a short time due to the 1st Crusades and the region again passed into the hands of Byzantium. After the fall of the Selcuk State, Aydinogullari dominates the region for a while.

 

In 1413, Kusadasi joined the Ottoman Empire sovereignty with 1st Mehmet (Celebi). After this date, the city was completely in the hands of the Turks and started to fill with the works of the Turks. The current caravanserai and the walls surrounding Kuşadası were built by Mehmet Pasha.

 

Kusadasi Cruise Terminal ( Ege Port Kusadasi )

Where do the cruise ships dock in Kusadasi Turkey?

 

The port of Kusadasi is right in the down town area. It is an easy 5 minutes walk into the shopping area ,as well as over the pleasant boulevard to Guvercin Ada ( Pigeon Island ) 

There are two piers at the Kusadasi harbour and there is a cruise terminal building at their end. There is about a couple minute walk from your ship dock to the terminal building and another few minutes through the Kusadasi harbour shopping village Scala Nuova until you reach the main road of the town.

 

The ancient city of Ephesus is located just 17 kilometers from the port of Kusadasi. 

Kusadasi Port Ephesus tours for cruise guests

 

The nearest airport to Kusadasi is İzmir ADB airport. The distance from İzmir Airport to Kusadasi is about 70 Km.

If you are researching, what are the transportation options from İzmir airport to Kusadasi, please check our how to get to Kusadasi from Izmir Airport page! 

 

The second closest airport to Kusadasi is Milas Bodrum Airport (BJV) , the distance between Kusadasi and Milas Bodrum airport is about 222 Km.

 

We will be glad to organize your transportation to Kusadasi, do not hesisate to contact us any time that you needed for tranportation to Kusadasi.

 

How to get from Izmir Airport to the Kusadasi Cruise Port ?

There are many transportation options available for getting to Kusadasi Cruise port from Izmir Airport, including: taxis, buses, private transfers and trains. However, shuttle bus will take you to Kusadasi bus station, the train will take you to Selcuk train station, these options require transfer to port of Kusadasi. Havaş and Last Minute Tours organize several scheduled transfer from İzmir airport to Kusadasi Bus station in multiple times of a day. From Kusadasi bus station, you can get a taxi or local minibus to port of Kusadasi. Getting a private transfer and taxi, are direct options to go to Kusadasi cruise port from İzmir airport.

 

Climate in Kusadasi / (Weather in Kusadasi)

What's the weather like in Kusadasi ?

 

Mild Mediterranean climate is dominant in the region. Winters are rainy and warm, summers are hot and arid. Humidity rate is very low. Average weather temperature in winter months is approximately 10°C-15 °C. Weather temperature can reach up to 40°C in summer months.

 

Kusadasi Ladies Beach

Best time to be on the Beach in Kusadasi, June – July – August - September