KUSADASI :

Kusadasi is located on the western Anatolia by the Aegean Coast 90 kilometers south of Izmir. You can get to Kusadasi;

BY AIR : There are regular charter flights during the summer from major European capitals to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, located only 75 kilometers from Kusadasi. Turkish Airlines also has connecting flights to Izmir from Istanbul and Ankara.

BY ROAD : Kusadasi is connected by road to the E 24/550 Izmir Denizli highway by way of the towns of Selçuk and Çamlik a railroad switchyard station. Frequent bus services, operated by major transport companies have offices in Kusadasi.

BY SEA : Turkish and Greek ferry boats shuttle daily between Kusadasi and the nearby Greek Island of Samos. There are also voyages between Dublin and Kusadasi. Kusadasi is one of the most important port of Turkey that call of many cruise ships.

BY RAIL : The nearest railroad station to Kusadasi is the town of Selçuk, on the Izmir Aydin railroad, which is linked to national railways system.

HISTORY :

Although it is not known exactly when and by whom the city was founded, it was supposed that the lonians founded the city which was then called “Neopolis” at Yilanci burnu and bound to Ephesus. The Kusadasi Bay and the region are known as artistic and cultural centers; and include many different civilizations since the first ages.

The land-piece which is between Big Menderes and Gediz Rivers, got the name “IONIA” from ancient times. They founded 12 cities called “Ion Colonies”. In the 7th centruy B.C., Lidians evolved as the dominators of the region and their capital city was Sardes.

A new era began since B.C. 334 , a new artistical and cultural attitude which is a synthesis of Greek and local Anatolian civilizations began; and this era is called “Hellenistic Era”. Ephesus, Milet, Priene and Didyma were the most famous cities of this area.

In the 2nd century B.C., Romans dominated the region. In the early years of the Christianity, one of the apostles of Mother Mary, St.John came over and settled in Ephesus; so the city became a religious center. Also, Miletus was the Bishop’s Center of the Christians period, it was called “Ania” in the Byzantium era. Kusadasi, has become a port which was mostly used by the pirates during the Middle Age. In the 15th centruy, at the time of the Venetians and Genoeses, the city was called “Scala Nuova”.

In 1186 A.C., with the invasion of the region by Kiliç Aslan II and extension of the Seljuk State, Turkish domination began. At this period, it has become the export-gate of the caravan-routes to the Aegean.

After the destruction of the Seljuk State, the Conventions Era began. Aydinogullari dominated for a time. In the mid-15th centruy, Ottomans evolved.

Kusadasi became a part of the Ottoman territory in 1413 by (Çelebi) Mehmet I. After this, the city has always been under the Turkish territory and began to be filled with Turkish buildings. The Caravanseria and the ramparts surrounding Kusadasi were built by Mehmet Pasa.

It was possible to enter the surrounded city from just three gates only. One was seperating Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa Street and Kahramanlar Street; and today the up-side is being used as Regional Innercity Traffic Authotiry. The other gates do not exist.

Güvercinada (Pigeon Island), which served as an important military base for the Venetians and the Ottomans, had a full reconstructions in 1834 and its famous castel was built up.According to the famous Ottoman wonderer Evliya Çelebi, the town was named Kusadasi due to the fact that migratory birds landed on the small islet in front of the harbor.

It was a district of Izmir until 1954; after this date it became a province of Aydin and underwent a rapid development. The area is 264 km² and its population is about 35000.

CLIMATE :

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. The average monthly air& sea water temperatures in Kusadasi are as follows :

THE HISTORICAL AND TURISTIC PLACES AROUND KUSADASI :

Ephesus :
Ephesus which is located on the 18 km of Kusadasi is the most popular ancient city in southwestern Turkey. Many acres carefully excavated restoration of ancient splendour. It is worth to see many places such as The Temple Of Artemis, The Isa Bey Mosque, The Ephesus Museum, House Of Virgin Mary.
The House Of Virgin Mary :
This is situated at the peak of Bülbül Mountain, 9 kilometers of Selçuk. It is believed that Virgin Mary spent her last days in this house which Pope Paul VI visited in 1967 and Pope John Paul II in 1979. A special mass is held each 15 Agust which attracts numerious both Christians and Muslim visitors.
Miletos :
The ancient city of philosophers and sages one of the most attractive cities of Turkey. It is located on the 60 kilometers of Kusadasi. The Theatre, Heroon, Nymphaeum north and south Agoras, Temple Of Athena, 15th century Ilyas Bey Mosque could be visited.
Didyma :
Didyma which has The Temple Of Apollo that was one of antiquity’s most sacred places, is located on the only 75 kilometers of Kusadasi. Moreover, the beautiful beach of Altinkum is not far from the Temple of Apollo.
Pamukkale (Hierapolis) :
Spectacular natural city, unique in the world, Pamukkale is fairyland of dazzling white, petrified travertines. Thermal spring waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau’s edge have created this fantastic formation of stalacties, cataracts and basin. Pamukkale which is located on the 200 kilometers of Kusadasi is attractive during year.
Sirince :
Sirince which is located on the 30 kilometers of Kusadasi is a remote village. It is worth to visit this village for not only to see typical village houses but also to see it’s mosque, church, school, and the village pubs which are served their own production wine by villagers.

BEACHES OF KUSADASI :
Kusadasi has got 30 km sandy beaches. Some famous beaches:
Tusan, Kustur Beaches (Pygale Beach), is located on the 6 km of Selçuk road.
Public Beaches is on the center of the town.
Pigeon Island Beach, is a private beach situated on the shore of the island.
Yilanciburnu Beach (Neapolis), is located on the peninsula behind the Pigeon Island.
Ladies Beaches, was renovated in 2001, is located on the 2 km of the city center.
Dilek National Park Beaches, are the beaches located on the 30 km of Kusadasi.
Long Beach, is located on the 6 km of Kusadasi.
Papaz Hamami Beach
Yavansu Beach
Karaova Beach

ELECTRICITY – WATER- TIME :
Main Electricity of Kusadasi is 220 volt, 50 (Hz) alternating current, the same as in most Europen Country.
It is safe to drink tap waterin Kusadasi, but it has an unpleasant taste. It is better to drink bottled water abundant and cheap.
Time and two hours ahead of Greenwhich Meantime.

HEALTH CARE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE :
Doctors of various specialities may be consulted at regional outpatient clinics and town hospital in case of illness. There are also private doctors and a private hospital in the town. Domestic and foreign medicines are sold in the pharmacies. Personel are often able to speak English. Some Pharmacies are on-duty at nights.

LANGUAGE :
Turkey’s national language is Turkish . In Turkey especially in Kusadasi most people can speak fluent English and also some can speak some other foreign languages such as German , French , Italian and other languages.

FACILITIES :
Night Life :
Most of the better hotels (5 and 4*) have their own discotheque.
But having an evening out in town is for sure more fun.
“Kaleiçi” (inside of the city walls) is therefore an ideal place : you will find countless discos, bars and restaurants for any taste.
Sports Facilities :
1 stadium and 2 covered sport center
Soil football field
Ada tennis club
Diving club, more than one
Basketball clubs
Sail Clubs
Wind surf, parasailing, water-ski the and other water sports, on some beaches such as the Kustur Beach