'''Kusadasi''' is a coastal resort town in the Aydin province of Aegean Turkey. It has become a popular holiday resort, especially for visitors from Northern and Western Europe. It has about 50,000 residents, although that grows significantly during the high season months of May to October.

History

Kusadasi takes its name from the Turkish for 'Bird Island', a reference to Pigeon Island, which is connected to the mainland of Kusadasi by a short causeway.

Get in

Visitors can arrive by highway, ferries or cruise ships. Docks are right downtown, and terminals offer a good selection of stores including a duty-free shop.

Get around

See

Do

Buy

The "downtown" area near the waterfront is quite modern, with many stores and an open air bazaar. Offerings range from typical souvenirs to fine jewelry and Turkish rugs. Hawkers frequently implore passersby to come inside, but with patience, visitors can find quality items at prices often somewhat better than in large cities. Bargaining is expected, and essential in the bazaar.

Eat

Drink

Sleep

  • Hotel Panorama. ?br?s Caddesi 14, Hac? Feyzullah. n downtown. 90 256 614 66 19. ttp://www.otelpanorama.com. 20/14/11/10 per person in single/doube/triple/dorm rooms. Cheaper Oct-Apr. nfo@otelpanorama.com. 90 256 614 66 54. Hotel Panorama is a cheap, convienent backpacker hostel to stay located just a minutes walk from the port in central Kusadasi. The owner/manager Ali is extremely welcoming and eager to help travelers with any of their plans and even has some inside contacts (ask about Ali Baba for tours to Ephesus). Furthermore, pick up is provided from the port along with a free drink upon arrival to the hostel. The rooms are clean and adequate with en-suite bathrooms and air-con and the hostel throws events at night for free such as Turkish spoon dancing and belly dancing and, if you are lucky, Ali's mother may invite you to a home cooked meal!

  • Sezgin Hotel. slanlar Caddesi 68. n downtown. 90 256 614 42 25. ezgin@ispro.net.tr. A guesthouse in old town owned by a former traveller. Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, balconies, and air-con. Staff can reportedly speak English, German, Japanese, and Korean.

    Contact

    Get out

  • Ephesus, one of the major Roman sites in Turkey, is located nearby