Kusadasi

Aegean, Turkey 40 tours visit here

Kusadasi is a resort town and cruise port on Turkey's Aegean coast in Aydin Province, and one of the main gateways to the ancient sites of western Anatolia. Its name means bird island in Turkish, a reference to Guvercinada, or Pigeon Island, a rocky outcrop joined to the shore by a causeway and ringed by Ottoman-era fortress walls. Most travellers use the town as a base rather than a destination in itself. Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the region, lies a short drive inland near Selcuk and is the standard half-day trip from the port; the travertine terraces of Pamukkale are much further inland and make a long full day. Just south of town, Dilek Peninsula National Park protects pine-covered ridges, walking trails and sheltered coves. In Kusadasi itself, the old quarter of Kaleici keeps narrow lanes, a bazaar and an Ottoman caravanserai near the harbour, along with most of the restaurants and cafes. Beyond it are a large marina and several swimming beaches. Cruise calls and holiday crowds peak from late spring to early autumn, and excursions tend to leave early so that the ruins are seen before the midday heat.