Situated on the Aegean coast, a former fishing village that is today a lively tourist centre, the town of Kuşadası (“island of birds” in English) is located 70 kilometres to the south of Izmir, in the province of Aydın.

With its lively port, Kuşadası is a stop for cruise ships from all over the world. It is a summer resort and an ideal holiday destination to relax and tour the surrounding area, which has some of the most beautiful cultural sites in Turkey: Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, Pamukkale, Milet, Didymes and Priene.

 Turkish Ministry of Tourism
 Turkish Office of Tourism

Sport and leisure

• Walking: less than 30 kilometres to the south, the Dilek national park has verdant flowering landscapes and a wide variety of fauna.
• Beaches: the Aegean Sea has many charming isolated beaches. Those near the town are very busy.

Sites

• Island: in the 16^th century the Ottomans built a fortress on the island of Güvercinada, recently linked to the mainland by a causeway. The ramparts date back to the 19^th century.
• Port: two embarkation quays for tourist boats and a marina with 650 moorings. The port is active all year round.
• Caravanserai: constructed by the Grand Vizir Okuz Mehmet Pacha in 1618 and transformed into a hotel, it is found in the old town. The slits in the walls were used to defend the town against pirate attacks.

Museums
There are many museums in the region: Ephesus, the Citadel of Selçuk, the Basilica of Saint John and the Mosque of Isa Bey, the House of the Virgin Mary at Bulbul Dagi, and Şirince, a small traditional village 8 kilometres from Selçuk.

Shopping
In the town centre is the covered Grand Bazaar, specialising in jewellery, carpets, kilims, textiles and leather, as well as craft shops around the port and the old town.

Cuisine
The specialities of the region include seafood and fish, mezze (a range of dishes served at a celebration) and çöpsis (small brochettes) and the local wine of Şirince.

Climate
The winters are warm and rainy, the summers hot and dry. However, the monsoon wind that blows during the summer afternoons reduces the sensation of heatr.

Accommodation
To find a hotel to suit your needs, use a search engine, entering the name of the town.

Not to be missed…

•  Swimming in the sea: paradise on earth!
• The National Park of the Dilek peninsula.
• The night life which is very lively in summer.
• The International Music Festival at Ephesus during the summer with performances by artists of international renown

Contact
 Town Hall of Kusadasi (Turkish only)
 Tourist Office in Kusadasi: (00-90-256) 614 11 03
Tourist Office in Selcuk: (00-90-232) 892 63 28-892 69 45 > Website