Kusadasi - (Show on the Map) - one of Turkey’s premier holiday resorts, offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Situated on the west coast of Turkey - 90km south of Izmir, Kusadasi, is reputed for being one of the most attractive cities of the Aegean, as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Temple of Artemis, Goddess Artemis, House of Virgin Mary, Seven Sleepers, Didyma, Priene, Miletos - the principal of ancient times, and ideal for sightseers. Kusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, providing a long tourism season. The city is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year.

Kusadasi - The perfect combination of history and nature

Kusadasi, as many know, takes its name from the small islet of Guvercinada (Pigeon Island) in the bay. The island, now the site for a number of tourism facilities, was connected to the mainland for security reasons following the Moria Rebellion in 1834. Although the date of the first settlement in Kusadasi is unknown it is clear that it goes back in time. In 3000 BC the Karia came from Anatolia and settled here. In 12th century BC, it became a part of the Ionian League and was then known as Panionia. In 546 BC, the Persians came here had seized the entire coastline, with Kusadasi then being taken over by the Romans in 200 BC. This naturally was followed by the Byzantine era and with the neighbouring city of Ephesus losing its popularity, kusadasi became more prosperous. With its natural port it became a centre of trade. In 1071, it came under the control of the Selcuk Turks and in 1413 was seized by Ottomans. The Ottomans made use of the port as a trading centre for agricultural products brought over the Silk Road running through China, Central Asia and Anatolia. Altough it never was a major centre, Kusadasi was always an important port, having strong links with Levantine communities. Until the First World War many Jews, Genovese, Venetians and Greks lived here. After the war, with the population exchange, the Greeks went to Greece and Turks, especially those from Crete, were settled in the aera.

You can find a beach for swimming even in the city center. While there is a beach right in the middle of Kusadasi the town’s most famous swimming spot is Ladies Beach. You can get there in minutes by taking a dolmus from the times when men and women did not bathe in the sea together. However, nowadays that is most certainly not the case. The long open beach, lined with palm trees, has numerous outlets providing food, drink and deserves its popularity.