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Hotels in Kusadasi

The closest beach resort to Ephesus

Kusadasi

LanguageTurkish
CurrencyTRY
TimezoneEurope/Istanbul
Temperature8-32 °C
Dial Code+90
Population85.3M
Area783,562 km²
SocketsType C / Type F
Tap waterNot drinkable

Discover Kusadasi

Kusadasi can be summed up in one sentence: it's a beach resort that happens to sit 20 km from Ephesus. That's exactly why cruise ships from across the Mediterranean call here, and why it draws visitors from far and wide — the ancient city, with its Library of Celsus, a theatre for 25,000 people and a marble-paved street, is the best-preserved in the Mediterranean and ranks among the strongest experiences you can have in Turkey. The town itself is lively, noisy and heavily touristy: a bazaar full of carpets and leather goods, a long promenade, cruise-ship piers and Pigeon Island with its small fortress, linked to the mainland by a causeway. The beaches are fairly average; for good sand, head south to Dilek National Park or north to Pamucak. Around the town, though, is an unusually dense cluster of ancient cities — besides Ephesus, also Priene, Miletus and Didyma — plus the mountain village of Sirince with its fruit wines, and Pamukkale as a day trip. The season runs from May to October.

What to see

The places worth your time in Kusadasi, and what to expect at each

Ephesus

Ephesus

20 km northeast

The best-preserved ancient city in the Mediterranean: the marble Curetes Street, the 2-storey facade of the Library of Celsus, a theatre for 25,000 spectators, public latrines and the mosaic-floored Terrace Houses under a protective roof. It was once the second-largest city in the Roman Empire.

Tip: Enter at the upper gate and walk down — the route runs downhill, saving you an hour of climbing. The Terrace Houses have a separate admission fee and are worth it.

Admission:
from TRY 1,200
Time needed:
half a day
House of the Virgin Mary

House of the Virgin Mary

25 km east

A stone cottage on the slope of Mount Bulbul where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary spent her final years. A pilgrimage site recognised by the Catholic Church and by Muslims alike, with a spring and a wall where visitors tie prayers written on scraps of paper.

Tip: It's a pilgrimage site, not a museum — no photos inside, and expect to queue. Quietest first thing in the morning.

Admission:
from TRY 400
Time needed:
1.5 h
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

22 km northeast

The site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — a temple 3 times the size of the Parthenon, with 127 columns. Today, a single re-erected column stands amid a marsh, itself a striking lesson in impermanence.

Tip: The site is freely accessible and takes 10 minutes; it's a short distance from Selcuk, so pair it with the Basilica of St John.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
30 min
Basilica of St John in Selcuk

Basilica of St John in Selcuk

22 km northeast

The remains of a huge Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian over the tomb of the apostle John. A cross-shaped floor plan, marble columns, and from here the best view of Selcuk with its fortress and the standing column of the Temple of Artemis.

Tip: Combine with Ephesus — the 2 sites are 5 km apart, and a combined ticket usually works out cheaper than 2 separate ones.

Admission:
from TRY 400
Time needed:
1 h
Pigeon Island (Guvercinada)

Pigeon Island (Guvercinada)

town centre

A rocky islet linked to the mainland by a 300 m causeway, with a Byzantine fortress and 19th-century walls. Inside are gardens, a tea house and a promenade along the walls with views over the town and bay.

Tip: Come for sunset; during the day the island is scorching and shadeless, while in the evening it's the prettiest walk in town.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
1.5 h
Dilek National Park

Dilek National Park

30 km south

A peninsula south of town where mountains drop straight into the sea and wild boar and lynx live in the forest. Inside the park are 4 pebble beaches with exceptionally clean water — the best swimming in the area, since none of it is built up with hotels.

Tip: In high season only a limited number of cars are let into the park and it often closes in the afternoon — go in the morning, or take the bus instead.

Admission:
from TRY 200
Time needed:
full day
Sirince

Sirince

30 km east

A mountain village above Selcuk, abandoned by its Greek residents in 1923. Stone and whitewashed houses climb a hillside of vineyards, with 2 old churches and, above all, fruit wines — made from peaches, pomegranates and mulberries, with tastings offered in almost every other house.

Tip: The fruit wines are sweet and low in alcohol, more a souvenir than a proper wine — buy after tasting, not from the first stall by the car park.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
half a day
Pamukkale and Hierapolis

Pamukkale and Hierapolis

190 km east

White limestone terraces of warm mineral water that look like a frozen waterfall, and above them the ancient spa town of Hierapolis, with a necropolis, a theatre and Cleopatra's Pool with ancient columns lying on its floor.

Tip: Walking the terraces barefoot is compulsory — the limestone is both slippery and sharp, so take it slowly.

Admission:
from TRY 1,100
Time needed:
full day
Priene, Miletus and Didyma

Priene, Miletus and Didyma

60–100 km south

A trio of ancient cities south of Kusadasi: Priene, with its perfect grid plan on a hillside; Miletus, with its enormous theatre set on open plain; and Didyma, with the Temple of Apollo, whose columns rank among the largest to survive from antiquity.

Tip: The classic "PMD" route takes a full day and suits a hired car; save Didyma for last, when the light on the columns is best.

Admission:
from TRY 300 per site
Time needed:
full day

Photos: Ephesus — Benh LIEU SONG (CC BY-SA 3.0) · House of the Virgin Mary — Erik Cleves Kristensen (CC BY 2.0) · Temple of Artemis at Ephesus — autor fotografie Zee Prime Original uploader was Zee Prime at cs.wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Basilica of St John in Selcuk — José Luiz (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Pigeon Island (Guvercinada) — Zeynel Cebeci (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Dilek National Park — ahenobarbus (CC BY 2.0) · Sirince — Cheyrek (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Pamukkale and Hierapolis — Biologg (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Priene, Miletus and Didyma — AlexanderVanLoon (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where to stay

Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking

Centre and the bazaar

Best for: first-time visits and shopping

The area around the harbour and bazaar, with the best access to buses for Ephesus and Dilek National Park. Restaurants, cafes and the promenade are right around the corner. It's noisy, though, and on days when a cruise ship is docked the bazaar is barely walkable.

Kadinlar Denizi (Ladies Beach)

Best for: a beach within walking distance

The best-known town beach, 3 km south of the centre, lined with hotels and bars. The water is clean, but the beach is narrow and crowded in season. A dolmus runs to the centre every few minutes.

Long Beach and the south

Best for: quiet and longer beaches

A stretch heading south towards Dilek National Park, with quieter hotels and longer beaches. Less hustle and lower prices, though it's a 15-minute dolmus ride to the centre. Closer to swimming inside the national park.

Selcuk

Best for: sightseeing without a beach

A small town by Ephesus, 20 km from the sea, where those chiefly after antiquity tend to stay. Cheap guesthouses, good lokantas, and the Temple of Artemis and the Basilica of St John within walking distance. For the beach, head to Pamucak.

Search hotels →

Getting around

From the airport

The nearest airport is Izmir Adnan Menderes, roughly 70 km to the north, reached from many European cities with a stopover or, in season, on a charter flight. The transfer takes an hour and is often included in package holidays. The IZBAN suburban train also runs from the airport to Selcuk, from where a dolmus continues to Kusadasi — the cheapest option. Cruise ships also call at the town, docking right by the promenade.

Izmir Adnan Menderes (ADB) · 70 km

  • Hotel transfer· 1 h· included in package
  • IZBAN train to Selcuk, then dolmus· 2 h· TRY 200
  • Taxi· 1 h· TRY 2,500
  • Havas bus via Izmir· 2 h 30 min· TRY 400

Milas–Bodrum (BJV) · 150 km

  • Private transfer· 2 h· TRY 3,000
  • Long-distance bus· 3 h· TRY 500

Around town

Dolmus minibuses run every few minutes around town and to the nearby beaches, and are the cheapest way to get around. For Ephesus, take a dolmus to Selcuk and then a short taxi ride or walk, which costs a fraction of an organised tour. A direct bus runs to Dilek National Park in season. For the Priene–Miletus–Didyma route and Pamukkale, a hired car or a tour with transport included makes most sense, since public connections don't line up well.

DolmusAround town, to the beaches and to Selcuk; departs once full, running until evening. · TRY 70
Dolmus to SelcukThe cheapest route to Ephesus — from Selcuk station it's a few minutes by taxi to the upper gate. · TRY 120
Hire carWorth it for Priene, Miletus, Didyma and Dilek National Park. · TRY 1,200/day
Organised tourThe easiest option for Pamukkale, which involves a pre-dawn departure and a 3-hour drive. · from TRY 2,000

Useful apps: Google Maps, BiTaksi, Moovit

When to go

The season runs from May to October. For the ancient sites, April, May and October are by far the best — there's no shade in Ephesus, and August often sees over 35°C, which is exhausting among the ruins. For swimming, July to September is best, when the sea reaches 25–26°C. September is the compromise: warm sea, bearable mornings at the ruins, and fewer cruise ships than in August.

Best time

May, June and September

What to avoid

August in Ephesus, where there's no shade at all

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day15°15°18°21°26°31°34°34°30°25°20°16°
Night8°8°9°12°16°20°23°23°20°16°12°9°
Rainy days11986421125811
Sea16°15°16°17°20°23°25°26°25°23°20°18°

Food & drink

The Aegean coast cooks lighter than southern Turkey: vegetables in olive oil, wild herbs, fish and meze. In Kusadasi, though, many restaurants target day-trippers off the cruise ships, and the quality and price reflect that — you'll eat noticeably better 2 streets back from the promenade or in Selcuk, where the lokantas cook for locals. In Sirince, people drink fruit wines and eat gozleme straight off the griddle. Raki goes with fish.

What to try

Kahvalti

Turkish breakfast: cheeses, olives, tomatoes, eggs, honey with clotted cream and endless tea. It's served over hours and is a social occasion, not just a meal.

Meze

Cold and hot starters — garlic yoghurt, roasted pepper paste, stuffed vine leaves. Ordered for the middle of the table, and easily replaces a main course.

Kebap and kofte

Grilled skewered meat or minced meat patties, the backbone of Turkish cuisine. Cheapest at lokantas for locals, where you point at what's on display.

Pide and lahmacun

Turkish flatbread with cheese or minced meat. Lahmacun is rolled up with lemon and parsley and is the cheapest filling lunch in the country.

Baklava and kunefe

Sweet filo pastry with nuts in syrup, and melted cheese in shredded pastry. Served with Turkish tea, not coffee.

Grilled fish

At harbourside restaurants you choose from the display case and it's charged by weight — ask the price per kilo up front so the bill doesn't surprise you.

Gozleme

A thin flatbread filled with cheese, spinach or potato, cooked on a griddle. The cheapest food you'll find on a day trip, often made by women right by the roadside.

Sirince fruit wines

Sweet wines made from peaches, mulberries and pomegranates. More a local speciality and souvenir than a proper wine — taste before you buy.

What it costs

Tea at a tea house

TRY 30–50

Lahmacun

TRY 120–200

Lunch at a lokanta

TRY 300–450

Dinner at a promenade restaurant

TRY 700–1,200 per person

0.5 l beer

TRY 180–300

Dolmus to Selcuk

TRY 120

Ephesus admission

from TRY 1,200

Full-day trip to Pamukkale

from TRY 2,000

Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.

Practical information

SocketsCEuroplug, two round pinsFSchuko
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Tap waterDo not drink tap water — Don't drink tap water, even though it's chlorinated. Bottled water is very cheap, is often included in all-inclusive resort packages, and a 19-litre bottle for an apartment costs just a few lira.
TippingAround 10% is left at restaurants if service isn't already on the bill. A small tip goes to hotel staff, transfer drivers and guides, though no one demands it.
Driving on theright
SafetyKusadasi is safe, but it's one of the most commercial spots in Turkey: expect hard bargaining in the bazaar and touts inviting you inside. Only look at carpets and leather if you genuinely intend to buy. In Ephesus, the biggest risk is the heat — bring 2 litres of water per person, a hat and sturdy shoes, as the marble is slippery. Change money at an exchange office in town, not at the hotel.
Opening hoursShops and the bazaar are open from 9am until late every day, staying open longest on days when a cruise ship is in port. Ephesus and the other ancient sites open at 8am and close around 7pm in summer, closer to 5pm in winter. Last entry is usually an hour before closing.
Customs & etiquetteMosques are entered without shoes, and women cover their hair and shoulders; a headscarf is usually available to borrow at the entrance. Swimwear is standard at resorts, while a T-shirt and longer trousers suit ordinary towns better. Haggling is expected in the bazaar and at carpet shops, not in shops with price tags.
A few local wordsHello — MerhabaThank you — Teşekkür ederimPlease — LütfenHow much does this cost? — Ne kadar?The bill, please — Hesap, lütfen

How to plan your days

1 day

A day in Ephesus

  1. 1Early morning, dolmus to Selcuk and in through the upper gate to Ephesus.
  2. 2Curetes Street, the Library of Celsus, the theatre, the Terrace Houses.
  3. 3Lunch at a lokanta in Selcuk.
  4. 4Afternoon: the Basilica of St John and the Temple of Artemis.
  5. 5Back in the evening for a walk out to Pigeon Island.

2 days

2 days with a pilgrimage site and a village

  1. 1Day 1 as above.
  2. 2Day 2 morning: the House of the Virgin Mary on the slope of Mount Bulbul.
  3. 3Afternoon in Sirince, tasting fruit wines and gozleme.
  4. 4Back in the early evening for a swim and dinner away from the promenade.

3 days

3 days with nature

  1. 1The first 2 days as above.
  2. 2Day 3: Dilek National Park for its pebble beaches.
  3. 3Swimming in the cleanest water around, plus a walk through the forest.
  4. 4Back in the early evening.
  5. 5If you have a day to spare, a full-day trip to Pamukkale or the Priene–Miletus–Didyma route.

Day trips

Pamukkale and Hierapolis

190 km · 3 h

White limestone terraces of warm water and, above them, an ancient spa town, including Cleopatra's Pool with ancient columns lying on its floor. A full-day trip with a pre-dawn departure.

Samos island

25 km · 1 h 30 min by ferry

A Greek island opposite Kusadasi, reached by a daily ferry in season. Vineyards, Pythagorio with its ancient tunnel, and different prices and cuisine. Don't forget your passport.

Izmir

95 km · 1 h 30 min

Turkey's third-largest city, with the huge Kemeralti bazaar, the Kordon waterfront and an ancient agora. A city that lives for itself, not for tourists.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Kusadasi to Ephesus?+

The cheapest way is by dolmus to Selcuk, which runs every 15 minutes and costs around TRY 120, then a few minutes by taxi to the upper gate. An organised tour with a guide is more comfortable and costs several times more. By car it's 20 minutes.

How much time do I need for Ephesus?+

At least 3 hours, ideally half a day. The route from the upper gate down measures 2 km and there's plenty to see. The Terrace Houses with their mosaics have a separate admission fee and add about an hour, but they're among the most interesting parts of the site.

What are the beaches like in Kusadasi?+

Town beaches like Kadinlar Denizi are narrow and crowded in season. The best swimming nearby is in Dilek National Park, 30 km south — 4 pebble beaches with exceptionally clean water and no hotels. The sandy Pamucak beach lies north, at the mouth of a river.

Do I need a visa for Turkey?+

No. Most Western passport holders don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days; a passport valid for a further 60 days after the trip is enough. A national ID card isn't sufficient even for the ferry to Samos.

Is a trip to Pamukkale worth it?+

Yes, but plan on a full day and leaving around 5am — it's 190 km away. You walk the white terraces barefoot, which is compulsory, and above them is ancient Hierapolis with Cleopatra's Pool. If you don't want to get up early, you can stay overnight there instead.

Is haggling in the bazaar necessary?+

In the bazaar, yes — it's expected, and the first price quoted is usually double what's reasonable. In shops with price tags and supermarkets, you don't haggle. Avoid going into carpet shops out of curiosity alone — getting out of a tea tasting and an hour-long presentation without buying is unpleasant.

When is the best time to visit?+

May, June or September. In July and August, Ephesus sees over 35°C with no shade at all, which makes sightseeing exhausting. In September the sea is at its warmest, the ruins are bearable, and there are fewer cruise ships than in high season.

Do cruise ships dock here?+

Yes, Kusadasi is one of the main ports of the eastern Mediterranean, and ships dock right by the promenade. On days when a large ship is in port, both the bazaar and Ephesus are noticeably busier — you may want to rearrange your day around that.

Visa Requirements

Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.

Check visa requirements

Emergency Numbers

Police155Ambulance112Fire110

Language

Turkish

Currency

TRY

Timezone

Europe/Istanbul

Dial Code

+90

Population

85.3M

Area

783,562 km²

Voltage

220V / 50Hz

Driving Side

Right

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