Kuşadası is one of the Turkish Mediterranean's most popular cruise ship ports, and this harbour town is all about sun, sea and fun holidays. Known for its bargain shopping and lively nightlife, it has become a favourite destination for European visitors on package holidays over the past few decades.
Hotel developments are scattered all along the coast surrounding town and the beaches are packed in peak season. But Kuşadası isn't just prime beach-sloth territory. Nearby the majesty of ancient sites such as Priene and the natural beauty of the Dilek Peninsula are tourist attractions that will convince even the most adamant sun-worshipper to brush of the sand and head out on a day-trip.
1 Pigeon Island (Güvercin Ada)
Just off Kuşadası harbour a 350 m causeway leads out to charming Pigeon Island, where the remnants of a 13th century Byzantine fortress are perched on a cliff. The stronghold later became a pirates' lair. Rampart walls, which wrap partially around the island, are a later addition dating to the early 19th century. Today Pigeon Island is a favourite spot for a seaside walk and there is a lovely café here as well.
Accomodation: Where to Stay in Kusadasi - TripAdvisor.com
2 Harbour Area
Most of Kuşadası's sightseeing attractions are found in the harbour area. The Kervanseray(caravanserai) was built by Öküz Mehmet Paşa in 1618. Its battlement facade was restored in the 1960s, and it has served as the Club Caravanserail Hotel since 1967. Just to the southwest you can still seek out some good examples of 19th century half-timbered houses in the typical traditional style of the region. The old town wall southern gate still survives as well. A bazaararea, stocked with Turkish souvenirs, begins directly in front of the harbour dock.
3 Ladies Beach (Kadınlar Denizi)
Located about 2 km south of town, this beach is the most popular strip of sand in the area directly surrounding Kuşadası. There are water sports galore to keep the active beach-goers happy. Plenty of cafés are handy if you're feeling peckish, and you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas. In summer it can get pretty crowded.
4 Priene
Hemmed in by mountain vistas, the ruins of the Hellenistic city of Priene are thoroughly photogenic. This ancient port had its hey-day between 300 and 45 BC, when its harbours bustled with commerce. The silting-up of the Meander River caused the city's demise, and by the 2nd century AD Priene was abandoned. The star attraction here is the Temple of Athena with its classical Ionian design, while the 6,500-seat Theatre is exceptionally well preserved.
5 Miletus
Like Priene, Miletus is another great harbour city of the Hellenistic period. But since Miletus' harbour did not silt up, occupation continued right up through to the Seljuk era of the 14th century. This means that that the ruins here are more of a mix of the different time periods. Not to be missed is the vast Theatre with its 15,000 seats and excellent views from the top tiers. It dates from the Greek era, but was thoroughly reconstructed by the Romans.
Just above the theatre are some Byzantine fortress walls and just to the east are the remnants of the Temple of Apollo. The surprisingly well-preserved Baths of Faustina lie to the south, past a Seljuk Caravanserai and more ancient Greco-Roman city ruins. There is also a very goodmuseum dedicated to the history of both Miletus and Priene on site.
6 Didyma
This Hellenistic religious centre was home to the fabled Oracle of Didyma and the ancient world's second-largest temple. The Temple of Apollo still boasts its towering columns (which once numbered 122) and is one of the best-preserved examples of a Greek temple in Turkey. The Oracle of Didyma was considered of high importance in the classical ancient world, only second in authority to the Oracle of Delphi. It was only under the rule of Constantine the Great and his conversion to Christianity that the Oracle's influenced waned.
7 Kirazli
Surrounded by orchards, vineyards, and fields, the quaint village of Kirazli has a timeless feel. This is the perfect place for an afternoon of meandering through alleyways lined by traditional whitewashed village houses. There are some lovely restaurants and cafés to while away a few hours. If you come here on a Saturday, make sure you visit the farmers market specialising in local organic produce.
Location: 10 km east of Kuşadası
8 Dilek Peninsula
Full of gorgeous mountain scenery and rugged coastline views, the Dilek Peninsula is a national park area that makes an excellent day trip from Kuşadası (just 26 km to the north). There are plentiful beaches for a spot of swimming and sunbathing with Aydınlık Beach and Karasu Köyü Beach the picks of the bunch. The Cave of Zeus (Zeus Maǧarası) is a popular tourist attraction within the reserve and there are some excellent hiking opportunities on the park's network of forest trails.
Official site: www.dilekyarimadasi.com
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