The city of Kusadasi on the Aegean coast of Turkey is known as a port for sea cruise ships and a beach resort. The history of Kusadasi began long before the ancient Romans arrived in Asia Minor in the 2nd century BC. Back in the 11th century, before the advent of a new era, ancient Greek tribes, and then the Ionians, founded their settlements on the Aegean coast. The main trading center of that era was, of course, Ephesus, but Kusadasi also played a prominent role in local shipping. The city flourished after the decline of Ephesus in the era of late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. At the beginning of the 15th century. the Ottomans came here and the Muslim era in the history of the city began. Each period has left its still visible trace, and there is something to see in the resort. In Kusadasi and the surrounding area, fans of the history of the ancient world will be interested in ancient ruins, and those who came to enjoy modernity – water parks, shopping centers, entertainment venues and restaurants with the best dishes of Mediterranean cuisine.
Kusadasi Sights
Kusadasi Promenade
Seaside resorts differ from ordinary cities in that they have a promenade – a pedestrian area where you can take walks at sunset, show off your fresh tan, make acquaintances and admire the surroundings. On the promenade in Kusadasi you can look at the cruise ships moored in the port and their passengers going ashore in anticipation of meeting local attractions.
Along the promenade, which stretches for two and a half kilometers, there are historical buildings that have been restored and renovated with great love. They have open cafes and restaurants, where the tables are never empty. At one end of the promenade, there is a Setur Marina yacht parking lot, where you will find not only cafes and boutiques, but also tennis courts and a swimming pool. The Scala Nuova shopping center is adjacent to the pier that accepts cruise ships. There you can buy souvenirs or gifts for friends, drink coffee, have lunch and entertain the younger generation in the game rooms with attractions.
Pigeon Island Kusadasi
A trip to Pigeon Island is a great alternative to a lazy day on the beach. During the walk, you will not only see Kusadasi from the sea, but also get acquainted with the ancient history of the city and its surroundings.
A fortress was built on Güvercin Island in the Middle Ages, which was tasked with defending the approaches to the city from the water. One day, the fort could not stand it, and it was captured by pirates led by the formidable Barbarossa. Since then, the fortress on Pigeon Island has been nicknamed the pirate castle. For many years, sea robbers kept their looted treasures in the fortress and held prisoners.
Today, the fortress houses a small local history museum and a restaurant with national Turkish cuisine. Pirate-style schooners sail from the Kusadasi pier, on which you can take a fascinating sea trip. And the island was named Pigeon because of the huge number of birds that once inhabited this piece of land. Now only the name remains of the bird markets.
Okuz Mehmet Pasha Mosque in Kuşadası
In 1618, two magnificent buildings appeared in Kuşadası, with which the Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmet Pasha, an outstanding military and statesman of the Ottoman Empire, marked his reign. During his governorship in Western Anatolia, a mosque was built in Kuşadası, which can be seen today in the city market.
The mosque was built in full accordance with the traditions of Muslim architecture. The octagonal foundation of the building is covered by a dome, the only minaret with a balcony for the muezzin rises a couple of dozen meters, and the entrance to the prayer hall is decorated with glass doors with mother-of-pearl inlays.
Okuz Mehmed Pasha Caravanserai
The second landmark of Kusadasi, built by order of the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, welcomes guests today as a luxury hotel next to the city pier. But in 1618 it was a caravanserai, built to promote and develop trade with neighboring countries, which the Turks began to actively conduct. The seaport of Kusadasi was gradually turning into an economic center on the Aegean Sea, and a new “hotel” for arriving merchants was needed.
The caravanserai was a classic example of an institution where one could spend the night, relax, and at the same time feel relatively safe. The perimeter of the fortress-building had the shape of a rectangle, measuring 18.5×21.5 m. It was possible to get into the closed courtyard with a fountain only through the premises of the caravanserai – there was no through passage from the outside. The outer walls of the building were crowned with battlements, behind which the guards defending the caravanserai could hide. All these precautions made the old hotel a safe place for those who transported valuable cargo and for wealthy pilgrims.
In the 90s of the last century, the Okuz Mehmed Pasha caravanserai was restored and a hotel was opened in it. Club Caravanserail Hotel is very popular with wealthy travelers, and everyone can buy a ticket for folklore performances, which take place in the hotel courtyard in the evenings. The program includes belly dancing, national-style snacks and other Turkish entertainment.
Poseidon Fountain in Kusadasi
Despite the relative youth of this Kusadasi landmark, it is very similar to an ancient structure. The Poseidon Fountain appeared at the resort in 2014, but its construction used ancient Greek fragments of statues found during excavations of the neighboring city of Ephesus.
The fountain basin is decorated with a sculptural composition featuring ancient Greek gods. The main character of the fountain is the god Poseidon, who was one of the three supreme celestial beings among the Greeks. The fountain bowl is surrounded by sculptural images of other inhabitants of ancient Olympus:
- Zeus, who ruled the whole world and was the god of thunder, lightning and the sky. According to the Greeks, Zeus was the father of all people on Earth.
- Nereus, a fair old man who personified the calm sea depths and guaranteed safe sailing to those who went out to sea.
- Ocean – a deity symbolizing the world river, which gives rise to all sources. Homer called Oceanus the beginning of all things.
- Proteus, the former son of Poseidon, who had the gift of foretelling fate.
Poseidon stands on a carved marble pedestal and rests on a trident. The base of the pedestal is decorated with bas-reliefs with floral ornaments and angels. Water jets fall from the mouths of divine characters.
Adaland Water Park
The largest in the country and one of the largest in the world is built 5 km north of the resort. On its territory you will find a couple of indoor slides, speed slides, the names of which – “Racer” and “Kamikaze” – speak for themselves, several pools for children and adults, a jacuzzi area, a river for rafting and a park-safari.
A lot of large and small pools, canals connecting them, bridges over rivers and streams, towers and fairy-tale castles make the atmosphere of the water park ideal for relaxing with children of all ages. The park will have paddling pools for the youngest, diving boards for those who are older and more daring, slides on which you can develop very significant speed, and places for lazy rest, if you are not a fan of extreme.
You can spend the whole day in the water park, as there are cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops and vending machines selling soft drinks on its territory.
Free use of changing rooms, showers, sun loungers and umbrellas, parking and all attractions, except rafting, is allowed in the water park.
The park is open: May-September from 10 am to 6 pm.
Admission price: children from 4 to 9 years old – 17 euros, from 10 years old and older – 24 euros.
Dolphinarium in Kushidashi
A dolphinarium was opened next to the largest water park in the country, where visitors can watch shows with the participation of tailed artists – dolphins, seals and sea lions every day. Comfortable stands are located on one side of the pool, and on the opposite side there is a stage where the trainer is during the performance. All participants in the performance work with great desire and inspiration, which is why the show is very popular with tourists.
Adalend Sea Park
There is a sea park in the Adalend entertainment area in Kusadasi, where everyone can swim with dolphins, feed and even stroke stingrays, use special protective equipment to dive to the bottom of the shark pool, see crocodiles and learn all about their preferences, habits and living conditions.
The sea park rents special suits for safe communication with its inhabitants. Rent a mask and flippers and you can see the underwater inhabitants of the Aegean Sea in Kusadasi.
Dilek Park and Zeus Cave
Dilek National Park, 18 km south of the resort, is a great place to take a break from the Turkish heat and spend time surrounded by untouched nature and man-made monuments. The most famous of the list is Zeus Cave. The entrance to it is hidden in the bushes, but you will find it thanks to the olive “wishing tree“, on the branches of which it is customary to tie ribbons.
Legend has it that Zeus spent time with young girls in the cave, which is not hard to believe when you see the beautiful natural lake with mineral water.
The easiest way to get to the Zeus Cave is from Güzelçamli village, where local dolmus will gladly take you.
Trajan’s Fountain in Kuşadası
At the beginning of the 2nd century AD, a fountain dedicated to the Roman emperor Trajan was built in Ephesus near Kuşadası. Like all similar structures dating back to the era of the Roman Empire, the fountain looked majestic and monumental, as evidenced even by the preserved ruins.
