Kusadasi, or Birds’ Island, is known as a “fisher- men’s village. Originally it is a quiet garden where farmers harvested thyme, sage, wild roses, figs, grapes and olives. It is - and we hope it will stay long - an animated village.

Kusadasi has an unimpressive beach, however, the waterfront promenade makes for a great sunset stroll. Ladies Beach, a topless beach, is located 3.5kms south of town. Acting as a buffer between the Greek island of Samos and the Turkish mainland, Dilek National Park offers some isolated beaches with pine trees. Perhaps the main attraction of a trip to Kusadasi is a journey to the nearby ruins of Ephesus. Other significant ancient sites in the area include: Miletus, Priene, and Didyma.

Kusadasi was ruled by the Ottoman Empire after the invasion of Sultan Mehmet Celebi in the year 1413. During the reign of Ottomans, glorious new structures were built in Kusadasi Okuz Mehmet Pasa Caravanserai is the principal legacy of the Ottoman architecture in the city, and was built by the man of the same name, who was the vizier during the reigns of Sultan Ahmet1 and Osman2. The fortress is gates and walls and many mosques in the centre of Kusadasi, as well as the citadel of the castle in Pigeon Island, were built in the Ottoman period, reflecting the architectural style of the era. "Kusadasi " that means "bird island" and took its name from Pigeon Island.

       

Kusadasi is the heart of the Turkish Aegean seaside. It is one of the most beautiful places for recreation and fun holidays. Thanks to the marina and great harbor, Kusadasi is a favorite calling place for yachts and tour vessels with the result that there are many good shopping opportunities to be found. Also is a a very good start point for trips at Ephesus, Pamukkale, Miletos, etc.

Turkey’s national language is Turkish. In Turkey, especially in Kusadasi, most people can speak English and also some can speak some other foreign languages such as German, French, Italian and other languages. The national currency is the Turkish Lira (TL). But currencies like USD, GBP, or DEM are universally accepted at various places at current exchange rates.

Foreign currencies and travellers cheques can be changed all over Kusadasi in banks, hotels and money exchange offices. Banks are open nationwide Monday through Friday except public holidays between 8:30 am and 17:00 pm. Some banks and money exchange offices remain open until midnight, especially in summer.. Major international credit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express and Dinners Club are accepted by all major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops.

In Kusadasi, your have the perfect mix of Eastern mysticism and modern western technology that is one of the reasons why Kusadasi is a shopper’s paradise and why shopping remains a top tourist attraction. Kusadasi is one of those remarkable places where shopping is a not just a journey around shops. Its more like a journey for your personal gain.

You will enjoy the fun of bargaining while a smiling salesman speaks many languages negotiating for their goods while you still feel at home. Shopping is high on most Kusadasi itineraries and deservedly so as it creates competitive prices. All this helps to make your spending spree a memorable experience.
One of the delights of shopping in Kusadasi is that most shops are open seven days a week There are no set hours of business but generally shops in Kusadasi remain open from 09:00 am to 12:00 AM in summer. Every Tuesday and Friday there is a large open market that sells locally grown fruit, vegetables, household items, Turkish embroideries and textiles.

                                      

After the First World War, Kusadasi was invaded by the Greeks (1919). The city won a long struggle and in 1922 and became a part of Turkish Republic. Izmir was the capital of Kusadasi until 1954. Then the capital was changed to Aydin and the city of Kusadasi has shown a good deal of development, especially in tourism.

Today, Kusadasi is one of Turkey's most sophisticated holiday centres; it is a perfect place for vacation with its sandy beaches and glassy water. The contrast between the lively holiday life and the quietness of the ancient ruins create the special atmosphere of the city.