Kuşadası is the very first holiday resort town of Turkey. It offers stretches of beautiful sand beaches and Ephesus, the world's best preserved Greek and Roman city is only 20 minutes by car.
In addition, it is about one and a half hour away from Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. One of the first holiday resorts of Turkey, Kustur opened in late 60s and Club Med opened its resort in mid 70s. So Kuşadası was a holiday destination for both Turkish and foreign travelers long before Antalya and Bodrum.
Nowadays Kuşadası is one of the most important stops of Mediterranean cruises, has hundreds of hotels, guest houses, holiday rentals. It is more like a small city more than a resort town. Loosely regulated construction boom since the 90s has adversely affected Kuşadası and the architectural beauty of that once small village by the sea is long gone.
Still Kuşadası attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year due to its beaches, Ephesus and proximity to other holiday destinations as well as millennia-old Greek and Roman cities nearby. Medical Tourism is increasingly becoming a travel reason for holidaymakers in Europe.
There is a lot to do while in Kuşadası. If you have time left after visiting nearby Ephesus, Sirince, or Priene, Miletos and Didyma, visit one of the aquaparks, which are among the largest in Europe. You can also go on a boat tour, a diving tour. For a list of available tours see Kuşadası Tours. Altinkum beach is only an hour drive from Kuşadası.
In Kuşadası city center you will see a tiny island connected to the city by a walkway, Güvercin Adası (Pigeon Island) which has a small beach. Near the 17th century Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai by the harbor and along the marina you will find many restaurants, shops and bars.
There are sand beaches right near the city center, among them Kadınlar Plajı (Ladies Beach), but many prefer beach clubs for swimming and sunbathing.
You can go to Kuşadası by bus or use a private Izmir Airport Transfer. Izmir is 70 kilometers away, about one hour drive.