Guide of Kusadasi

Kuşadası is an important city in Turkey, located on the west coast and part of the province of Aydın. The city of Kuşadası has a glorious past and was one of the main Mediterranean ports for Anatolia in ancient times, when it was called Neapolis. The city was under the rule of the Persians, until it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. Kuşadası then became an important religious center under the Roman Empire. Subsequently with the Ottoman domination the city grew in terms of size and cutlure, but the city's port has always been an important commercial and military hub.  

Places to visit

Near the city there is an important National Park, which is famous for having the biggest range of flora and fauna in Turkey. Among the places to visit in Kuşadası is the Caravanserai, an Ottoman fortress dating back to 1618. Also the Grand Vizir Öküz Mehmet Paşa is worth a visit, it was originally built for maritime commercial purposes. The Kaleiçi Mosque, which is located in the middle of the market, was restored in the early 1800s.

The symbol of the city is Güvercinada, a small island with a fortress on the rocks, it was once a defensive place, but now it is the best place to taste traditional Turkish dishes or drink the famous tea. The Kuşadası cuisine has many dishes, but the most famous local dish is 'Şevketi bostan' with grilled vegetables.

In addition to being an important tourist center and port for cruise ships, Kuşadası is a land rich in history and place full of natural beauty.  Carpets, saddlebags, lace and hand-woven colored fabrics are just a few of the products made locally.

One of the most interesting waling routes to do in Kuşadası is into the canyon of the Dilek National Park and to reach the top through the Dikkaya Valley. It is a difficult path, but the vegetation and rare species of plants along the way make it more pleasant . To enjoy the sea we recommend Punta Kavaklı and the Karasu Bay. One of the most fascinating places to visit is the Grotta di Giove, God's refreshment point, today it is a place much appreciated by trekking lovers and speleologists. In this cave the blue sea water blends with the fresh water and green water coming from the mountains creating a pond where you can refresh yourself and looks like heaven on earth!