Amazing Places To Visit In Kuşadası
Now a district of Aydın province, Kuşadası was once the central trading zone for sailing merchants. It was the port that opened the Aegean Sea to the Mediterranean. Kuşadası was thought to be found in 11th century B.C. by Ions, and it was the home for many ancient civilizations afterward. The gulf of Kuşadası continues to be a highly touristic location. It is believed that Ionians established the first society of the district by the name of Neopolis. You can still see their ruins by the tip of the half-island. The ancient Greek king Agamemnon has built his town there with the name of Pygale.
Kuşadası is the most popular holiday destinations in Turkey thanks to the large cruise lines that take tourists to the nearby ancient sites. Yet, it has many more bonuses up its sleeve when it comes to activities. The district takes its name from the Turkish word 'kuş' (bird) and 'ada' (island). Bird Island is a reference to the Pigeon Island (Güvercin Adası), which is connected to the mainland by a short path.
There are not many points in the world that has numerous ancient sites, remarkable natural attractions, top-tier outdoor activities, and gorgeous shores like the Aegean region. Kuşadası is located at the center of all these unique attractions and adds its own spectacular sceneries to the mix. Some of the popular attractions of its region like Izmir, Çeşme, Alaçatı, and Didim are closely located to the district. Greece's Samos island is just a boat ride away from the area.
Kuşadası is surrounded by many ruins left by ancient civilizations. There are several tours organized to visit them. You can pick any tour to spend a day to see the historical heritage around Belek. You would enjoy the nature of the area as well while you are walking around the ruins.
Ephesus Ancient City
This ruin of the old world used to be the trading center of the Aegean. It contains the region’s one of the largest theater, as well as the second-largest city-state. The travel time between Ephesus and Çeşme is one and a half hours, so be sure to plan your schedule accordingly.
The Last Home of St. Mary
Through various rumors and legends, it is believed that the last home of the Virgin Mary is located near Kuşadası. Although it is a relatively new discovery, the remains of the house was visited by various Popes, as well as millions of people from different religions.
The National Park
The Dilek National Park is located south of Güzelçamlı town, which is about 15-min bus ride from Kuşadası. This cape is perhaps the most untouched land on the Aegean coast of Turkey. The national park is covered with dense woods and various rare species of animals inhabiting it. Anatolian leopard, which was thought to be extinct before 1966, is the famous one. Although you will most likely not have a chance to encounter any of these rare faunas, the national park is a 28.000 m2 natural paradise for hikers and families who wish to escape the crowds of beachgoers in Kuşadası.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is all about exploration and fun. Turkey is surrounded by the sea except for its eastern region and is home to many spectacular scuba diving sites such as Gallipoli, Marmaris, Fethiye, Bodrum, Akyaka, Kaş, Kalkan, Kemer and many more.
Kuşadası is a great location to enjoy scuba diving with its numerous scuba diving sites that promise an unforgettable trip to underwater. In Kuşadası, you can enjoy a variety of scuba diving sites that are closely located to each other. The district is known for its crystal-clear waters and offers amazing opportunities to discover its varied marine life including a former coastal ship that is now blooming with underwater life all around.
