Kusadasi for cruise visitors
One of the top cruise destinations of Turkey’s Aegean Sea coast, the lively port town of Kusadasi welcomes hundreds of daily visitors during the peak summer months, with most day-trippers making a beeline for the ancient Greek city of Ephesus nearby. Most cruise visitors find themselves with only a day or half-day to explore the sights and the most convenient way to get around is by pre-booking a shore excursion from Kusadasi, which not only takes the hassle out of organizing your trip, but also ensures on-time return to your ship.
Celebrated as one of the world’s best-preserved ancient cities, Ephesus is the undeniable star attraction and at just 21 km from Kusadasi, it’s easy to visit on a day or half-day tour. An important commercial and religious center during Greek and Roman times, the impressive ruins include the Great Theater, which dates back to 117 A.D.; the Fountains of Trajan; the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian; and the Library of Celsius. With a full day in port, combine a trip to Ephesus with a detour to the nearby Temple of Artemis, built in around 550 B.C., and the House of the Virgin Mary, allegedly St. Mary’s place of death and now a shrine to the Mother of Jesus. Also worth a visit is the crafts village of Şirince, the remains of the Basilica of St John, the ancient Greco-Roman city of Miletus and the magnificent Temple of Apollo at Didyma.
Back in Kusadasi, the main attraction is the lively bazaar, which offer an intriguing glimpse into local life, as well as being a top spot to pick up regional foods and well-priced souvenirs. If you still have time to spare, head to the beach, where you can soak up the sun or walk over the footbridge to the offshore Pigeon Island.
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