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Kusadasi Travel Guide: 307 reviews and 839 photos
On a bright and beautiful morning, we sailed into the port city of Kusadasi. As our ship glided into her berth for the day at Balikci Limani, the vibrant town revealed hills terraced with surprisingly modern buildings. Early morning traffic was making its way in and out of Kusadasi on Ataturk Boulevard, a palm tree-lined street just next to the sea and adjacent to the broad promenade which also hugs the shoreline. Going ashore in this exotic country which I had dreamed of visiting for so long was about to become a reality and the excitement continued to build as we waited for our ship to be cleared for disembarkation!!
When I took my first steps on land in Turkey, it was also my first step on the continent of Asia (Turkey is the only country considered to straddle two continents!). It was very exciting for me! While this was not my husband's first visit to Turkey (he had been to Istanbul many years earlier), he was also excited to discover the new historic treasures in this region of Turkey.
Some advance online research listed several seemingly reputable companies with which you could book day tours or book customized tours to many of the nearby historical sites including Ephesus. I don't remember the exact figures now, but I remember at the time thinking they were very reasonable for 2 persons, especially when the tours could be customized. Eventually we decided on a ship/shore excursion which guaranteed that if the tour was delayed returning to the ship for any reason, the ship was obligated to wait for those passengers---this would not have been the case if we had booked an independent tour on our own. Our ship/shore excursion included time at the House of the Virgin Mary ("Meryemana Evi"), Ephesus, and a stop at a purveyor of Turkish carpets which we really enjoyed!! After the tour was completed, we spent a couple of hours wandering around the cobblestone streets & bazaars of Kusadasi for some great shopping, buying & writing postcards, and then looking for a post office.
If we ever return to Kusadasi, we will most likely book a tour with a local company so that we can spend more time at the sights we like the most. Having more time to relax and observe the people would be an added bonus!!
Pronounced "Koo-SHAH-dah-suh", Kusadasi, meaning "Bird Island," took its name from Pigeon Island ("Guvercin Adasi" - the Turkish name). Kusadasi is considered a resort area and is situated on the sun-drenched western coast of Turkey facing the Aegean Sea. This area typically has a Mediterranean climate with very hot summers and mild winters. It is said to be bathed in sunlight 300 days per year!!
In addition to being close to the breathtaking, historical site of Ephesus and also the ancient cities of Miletus, Priene and Didyma, Kusadasi is only about 90km south of Izmir.
I really enjoyed Kusadasi's exotic atmosphere, sultry climate, sea views, the availability of sandy beaches and excellent shopping!! It is no wonder that Kusadasi is becoming a magnet for Europeans who buy vacation homes here.
The known history of Kusadasi goes back as far as 3,000BC when the Lelegians and Carians from the central Anatolia established a colonynear Pilav Mountain. The land was attractive because of the mild climate and fertile land which was conducive to growing olives, grapes and figs for extracting oil or making wine and sweets.
By the 10th century BC the "12 Ionian Cities" ~ Samos, Khios, Miletos, Priene, Ephesus, Teos, Erythrai, Priena, Klazonemi, Lebedos, Phokaia, Colophon, and Smyrna (13?) had been established and reputed to be some of the most advanced cities of that age. "As the annual meeting place of the Ionian League, Panionian, was founded around Kusadasi. The cities of Phygale, Marathesion and NEOPOLIS were established within the borders of the city." Miletos and Ephesus soon became famous trading centers and ports.
Kusadasi was invaded by Persians circa 546BC, but just as in the history of many other cities around the Mediterranean, in 200BC Kusadasi and its environs became part of the Roman Empire; with the division of the Roman Empire, this area became a state of "Byzantine (Byzantium)."
Disasterous earthquakes not only ruined much of the magnificence of near by Ephesus, but changed the route of Caystros River but maybe more importantly led to the build up of silt which forever prevented using the river as a port to Ephesus. Laying in ruins with no sea access, Ephesus lost its prior importance and prosperity. As a result, Byzantines were forced to replace Ephesus by searching for a new port and a new road that would be suitable for trading---hence the star of Kusadasi was about to rise.
The area around NEOPOLIS was found to be convenient by the Greek, Jewish, and Armenian merchants as a port in place of the port of Ephesus. “Scala Nova” was the name of this new port. So, it was in the area of Ania, Melia, Phygale and Neopolis which created the early foundations of today’s Kusadasi.
Yet, by the advent of the 15th century, the new port of “Scala Nova” was under the domination of the Venetian and Genoese sailors and traders followed by the Turks and the invasion of Seljukian Kilic Arslan the 2nd. Kusadasi, was at the end, or perhaps the beginning, of important trade routes such as "SILK ROAD", a position once enjoyed by Ephesus. No doubt this played a large part on the development of the Kusadasi in its role as a point of trade.
Kusadasi became part of the Ottoman Empire after the invasion of Sultan Mehmet Celebi in the year of 1413. The Okuz Mehmet Pasa Caravanserai is the most notable remnant of Ottoman architecture in the city, and was built by the man of the same name, who was the vizier during the reigns of Sultan Ahmet1 and Osman2. Many of the fortress gates, walls, mosques in the center of Kusadasi, and the citadel of the castle in "Pigeon Island," were built during the Ottoman period.
Following World War I in 1919, Kusadasi was invaded by the Greeks but won a long struggle to become part of the Turkish Republic in 1922.
- Pros:Wonderful historic area, exotic, sultry, seaviews, great shopping!
- Cons:Didn't find any!
Reviews (7)
Meryemana Evi ~ House of the Virgin Mary
Off The Beaten Path
(2)
On a beautiful sunlit morning, we traveled by bus to our first destination of the day, "Meryemana Evi", the House of the... more travel advice
Ancient City of Ephesus
Off The Beaten Path
(2)
Though the ancient city of Ephesus is 30 miles north of Kusadasi, it seems that they are spoken of almost as if they... more travel advice
The Main Bazaar and Others
Things to Do
(5)
There is so much shopping to be had in Kusadasi that it becomes a little overwhelming. Not only that, but it seems that... more travel advice
Güvercin Ada ~ "Pigeon Island"
Things to Do
(5)
Cuvercin Ada or Pigeon Island, regrettably, was not a stop on the itinerary of the shore excursion we took when we... more travel advice
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Comments (19)
Wonderful tips on Kusadasi...we needed more time there.....wish we had bought a carpet! I was too busy resisting to realize I had missed an oppotunity.
Marg
Marg
Great tips Sylvia! I have been to Ephesus and it was very interesting, but I have never been to Kusadasi. Sounds to be a lot of good shopping there!
Lots of great information, Sylvia. I was glued to each description since I've visited these places and nodded and smiled as your words took me back.
I just know that I would love snooping in the Orient and Main Bazaar. And you got to visit Ephesus - lucky you.
Cool tips as usual! :-)
I'm glad that you enjoyed your stop in Turkey. We were there in 2008 and also had a great time.
I am so excited about my trip after reading all the tips here on VT. Thanks for sharing ;-)
Such informative, well written tips. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences.
So that's what the silk road is all about...and would love to go to big markets like that Orient Bazaar...wonderful trip you had indeed!
Hello Sylvia! We were in Kusadasi in August 2008 as well. We went to Ephesus as well. We could have met. It's a pity that I didn't know VT back then. Please please let me know when you come next time. Cheers, Pinar