When visiting Turkey, it’s worth planning to spend at least two days in Kusadasi to allow time to enjoy the sunshine and sparkling blue-green sea.
Top things to do in Kusadasi
Kusadasi is Turkey's third-largest port and welcomes many international cruises each year, but the best way to experience the true charm of this coastal city is by travelling with like-minded people. Be inspired by this curated collection of experiences — from ancient wonders to local cooking classes.
Overview:
- Historical attractions
- Christian sites
- Eating, shopping and relaxing
Historical attractions
Take a hot air balloon ride to see the UNESCO-listed Pamukkale hot springs
Pamukkale hot springs, Turkey by Arnaud Civray/Unsplash
The best way to appreciate the stunning white travertines formed over thousands of years by solidified calcium deposits from the flow of the hot springs is from the air.
The ancient springs of Pamukkale are held to have healing properties. One local legend tells of a young girl who felt so ugly and unwanted that she jumped from the highest cascade. Instead of falling to her death, the magical powers of the water washed away her sorrows. On climbing out of the pool she met the Lord of Denizli, who, mesmerised by her beauty, fell in love and asked for her hand in marriage.
Take a hot air balloon ride to capture images of the colourful hot air balloons against the beautiful backdrop of Pamukkale’s ‘cotton castle’ terraces.
This airborne adventure also passes over the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis located above the pools, during Roman rule it was a spa and healing centre. Later, following an earthquake, an amphitheatre was constructed, which can be seen from the air today. This is a magical experience not to be missed.
Walk the marble streets of ruined Ephesus
This ancient city, now in ruins, was once a bustling port and trade centre for the Mediterranean region. In the first century BC it was the second-largest city (to Rome) in the world. Archaeological excavations continue today to uncover the grand remains of the city.
The Library of Celsus is one of the most beautiful structures here, with a facade reconstructed from original pieces. The library was named after Tiberius Celsus Polemaenus, an ancient Greek who governed Roman Asia from 105-107 AD and paid for the building out of his own personal wealth.
There’s also an ancient theatre with capacity for 25,000, the Odeon, a small roofed theatre made with red granite where plays and concerts were held, as well as temples, aqueducts, baths and agoras.
Library of Celsus, Ephesus, Turkey by Sacha Bunnik
Perhaps the most famous piece of architecture here is the grand Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The goddess Artemis was revered as the protector of Ephesus at the time it was built, around the 8th century BC. The temple is now in ruins, but enough remains of the Ionic columns to show the incredible architecture and imposing size of the original structure.
Terrace Step Houses
The Terrace Step Houses of Ephesus are the remains of homes thought to be the homes of the city’s wealthiest families. There are seven homes with 78 different rooms built in a Peristyle layout — each home has a central courtyard, surrounded by windowless rooms. Built between the first and third century AD, often with two stories, the buildings were destroyed and abandoned in a major earthquake and tsunami in 262 AD.
The courtyard was open to allow fresh air to flow freely and often had either a pool or well to collect rainwater. Floors inside the homes were decorated with mosaics or marble, some evidence remains today. The walls of the houses were decorated with stucco mythological scenes, some of which can still be seen.
Visiting the Terrace Houses means walking up and down steps to access each home, and walking over transparent floors to see the archaeological site below. This is one reason why travellers must meet Bunnik Tours’ health and fitness criteria to make the most of the sightseeing!
Christian sites to see
See the House of the Virgin Mary
Tradition says that Mary went to live in this small stone house on Bulbul Mountain after Jesus died. This story is said to originate in a vision of an 18th-century Roman Catholic nun, rather than by archaeology and history. It’s a place of reverence and contemplation and a destination for pilgrim Christians seeking solace and blessing.
The home is located around 5 km from Ephesus, where it’s believed that Mary, Jesus' mother, spent the final years of her life. Hints of this tradition are found in the writings of Irenaeus and Eusebius of Caesarea, suggesting that the apostle John came to Ephesus along with Mary, living here until Mary’s Assumption (in the Catholic tradition) or Dormition (the Orthodox belief).
Basilica of St John
This church was built in the sixth century in the place where St John the Apostle was believed to be buried. The Basilica is modelled after the now-demolished Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople (now Istanbul).
Columns in the courtyard feature monograms of Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora. There’s a baptistry with a keyhole shape and evidence of frescoes inside the chapel that were added later in the 10th century. The chapel, which once had six domes arranged in the layout of a cross, was used as a mosque in the 14th century, before an earthquake rendered it unusable.
Eating, shopping and relaxing
Local wine, Turkey by Dennis Bunnik
Start the day with tea, end it with wine
Turkish tea (çay) is how the locals start the day. The best place to find it is at a local Cay Behcesi, community tea garden, and in Kusadasi, there is one by the seaside. Ease into the morning with an ocean view — the perfect way to start a day of exploring.
A morning with nothing booked can be spent on a sun lounger at a beach club, the perfect place to ease into the day before more sightseeing. At the end of the day, why not enjoy tasting the many varieties of locally grown wines?
Take a cooking class at Sirince Village
Sirince Village, Turkey by Ali Gundogdu/Unsplash
Sirince Village is a small town with fewer than 500 residents, located around 12 km from Ephesus. The picturesque hillside village has narrow streets lined with old Greek houses, each with terracotta tiled roofs and shuttered windows. There are no cars on the cobbled streets, and many little souvenir shops and lush green vistas hidden within the narrow alleys.
In Sirince, a group can take a cooking class from locals to learn how to make some of the iconic Turkish dishes at home. This special experience will create a heartwarming memory, as well as give those attending the skills to try out new recipes at home! This is definitely one of the best things about travelling through Turkey with a small group.
Shop at the Bazaar for Turkish wares
Each Wednesday the historic streets of Kusadasi are closed to traffic to host a market in the city centre. The Kusadasi Bazaar is surrounded by the walls of the Old Town, with all kinds of shops and stalls for sale. Cafes play live music, and the stalls of the historic streets sell all sorts of items, from leather jackets to carpets and jewellery.
Street food is made fresh and hot, offering a delicious treat after the hunger-inducing bargaining of the Bazaar. If the visit doesn’t fall on a Wednesday, there’s still plenty of opportunity to shop; the local stores are open each day from 9 a.m. to midnight.
Dine like a local
A genuine Turkish dining experience can be found at any number of small inland eateries, where inexpensive gozleme, a crisp golden Turkish flatbread stuffed with vegetarian or meat filling, or lahmacun, Turkish flatbread with minced meat, herbs and spices, are served.
Connect with local communities and explore ancient sites at Kusadasi
Kusadasi is one destination not to miss when travelling through Turkey. It’s best explored with a small group, which enables an intimate experience of the culture, sites and cuisine that’s unlike anything available on big tours or cruises.
Grasp the experience of a lifetime — join an in-depth tour of Turkey this year to discover the wonders and natural beauty of the Turquoise Coast, the delicious flavours of Turkish coffee and food, and so much more.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Kusadasi famous?
Kusadasi is famous for its wonderful sunny weather, Ephesus, the largest uncovered Roman ruins in the world, and the turquoise ocean. Nearby is also the Pamukkale hot springs,
Was Kusadasi part of Greece?
Greeks invaded Kusadasi in 1919 after World War I, and the city was subject to a long struggle for power. In 1922 it became part of the Turkish Republic.
What local dishes should I try in Kusadasi?
Try yaprak dolma, stuffed vine leaves best made by a group and the perfect opportunity for conversation and connection, and manta, the Turkish version of ravioli, stuffed parcel-shaped morsels served with garlic-flavoured yoghurt, tomato sauce and melted butter.