Kusadasi is a resort town on the Aegean Coast of Turkey, close to the ancient city of Ephesus. Once just a small fishing village, it is today amongst the most populated resorts in Turkey.

However in spite of its new found popularity, Kusadasi is a great holiday resort with an amazingly beautiful coastline and several archaeological sites nearby. The proximity to these historical sites and to the Ionian settlements of Miletus, Priene and Didyma makes this place an ideal base for travellers wanting to explore the Aegean coast.

Attractions

Ephesus is the largest and most important archeological site in the country. The city was established with a dock on the mouth of the Cayster River, and was the most important commercial station in Anatolia. The city went into decline during the Byzantine era with the silting up of the port and was finally deserted. Visitors need to have some imagination and creativity to see how the Roman city would have looked, but guides are available and can offer a rich insight into the history and architecture of the wreck.

The city also had a very significant part to play in early Christianity. After the amphitheatres, wall paintings, mosaics, baths, fountains, brothels and columns, the streets lead to some great places of interest, like the colossal Library of Celsus, the notable Temple of Hadrian, a row of public latrines and the Grand Theatre where St Paul advocated to the Ephesians. The well preserved Ionian settlements of Miletus, Priene and Didyma are also nearby and are well worth a visit too.

Shopping

The Grand Bazaar in Kusadasi, which is situated near the harbour, is not only among the largest shopping zones of the area, but of the whole of Turkey itself. The area hosts over a thousand shops, which are open all days of the week from 9 am to well near the midnight hours. Haggling about the price of the goods is a must and sometimes quite a pleasurable experience too. Good bargains can be struck on a variety of attractive items like leather jackets, sandals, carpets and hand-made jewellery. Though most shops look traditional, they are mainly catering to the foreign tourists and definitely accept credit cards, travellers cheques and even foreign currency. Souvenir shops and carpet shops can be found all over the resort, but travellers should remember that bargaining about the prices is a must and is in fact a way of life.

Nightlife

Kusadasi has among the most active nightlife in Turkey. The Bar Street, in the old town centre, is the center of attraction, with all the bars and pubs lining the street playing pulsating music until the early hours of the morning. The most frequented destinations are the massive open-air disco and the Ecstasy Bar, where famous European DJs anchor the shows. Young Brits mostly prefer to get together at Jimmy’s Irish Bar, which is located at the start of Bar Street. For those preferring it, Kusadasi offers a more sedate nightlife too, in the form of cabaret bars, Turkish folk taverns and cozy jazz clubs.

Activities

Kusadasi’s clean sandy beaches are the main reason for the huge influx of travellers to the place and most prefer to just laze in the sun and enjoy the sand and surf. The water is pretty safe and swimming is the most frequently conducted activity. The place offers a wide range of watersports through local operators and these range from the sedate boating and waterskiing to the more adventurous snorkeling and scuba diving. Beaches also organize boat trips to the various interesting islands and destinations on the Aegean coast. There are three water theme parks in the area and those fond of thrills will have an amazing experience there. On land, visitors can opt for horse riding or jeep safaris and can even visit some of the historical sites around the resort.

Customs

Religious customs, particularly during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, should be strictly followed. While visiting religious shrines and mosques, it is advised to dress modestly. Photography should be avoided near military and official institutions and always ask permission when taking photographs of people.