Kuşadası City Guide

What to eat in Kuşadası? Where to swim? What are the historical places of Kuşadası? These are some of the questions that everyone who will spend a day in Kuşadası are curious about. We asked these questions to the locals of Kuşadası for you and compiled the answers we received. Before planning your day, let us remind you that the first thing we recommend to do to fully explore this beautiful Aegean town is to rent a car from Kuşadası. You can set off after renting a car.

How would you like to have your breakfast accompanied by the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea? You have many options that offer the opportunity to start enjoying Kuşadası in the early hours. After your breakfast, which appeals to both eyes and palate, you can sip your coffee against the view. Gypsy pilaf, pita with tahini, kırlı kızartması, nettle pastry are some of the local dishes you can prefer for breakfast. Since the region hosts numerous tourists, it is another option to have English and French style breakfasts in addition to local flavors and traditional Turkish breakfast.

Although it is linked to İzmir, Selçuk is almost a part of this place due to its proximity to Kuşadası. You can start your tour with Ephesus Ancient City, located 21 km to the north of Kuşadası. The foundation of the city, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, dates back to 6000 BC. In Ephesus, breathtaking structures and ruins such as the Celsus Library, Artemis and Hadrian temples, August Gate and Memmius Gate await you. After Ephesus, you can take a break in Şirince Village, which is famous for its historical houses and wine. This village with a unique atmosphere is only 10 km from Ephesus.

While you are in Şirince, do not leave without seeing the impressive architecture of the village. You can make the hours you spend here even more enjoyable by having lunch in the restaurants serving in the historical houses of the village. Lamb tandoori, sac kavurma, keshkek, roasted hibiscus are some of the dishes we will recommend for lunch. After your meal, do not forget to taste the zerde or pelvize dessert accompanied with bubbly Turkish coffee.

After these delicious dishes and coffee, you will be ready to hit the road again. Therefore, your next stop should be Dilek Peninsula. The national park, which is approximately 51 km from Şirince, is a special place that offers the opportunity to see the historical and natural beauties of Kuşadası together. The park, where the Hagia Yorgi and Hagios Antonios Monasteries as well as the Priene and Milet Ancient Cities are located, resembles an open air museum. The national park, also known for its quiet bays, is also a great alternative for enjoying the sea.

After your tour in Dilek Peninsula, you can set off for Kuşadası again. However, we recommend that you first see the Kurşunlu Monastery, which is 6 km away from the park. After the monastery, you can take a break in Güvercinada, the symbol of Kuşadası. After watching the sunset on the island, which has a wonderful view, you can end your trip by seeing the historical buildings in the center.

Throughout the day, you saw the historical places of Kuşadası, met nature and tasted many dishes at culinary stops. Renting a car in Kuşadası was the secret of experiencing so many things in just one day and having a safe journey. After these hours full of joy, now it is time to end the day with an unforgettable dinner. You can choose one of the restaurants that attract attention with their menus consisting of Turkish, European and Asian flavors. Seafood and olive oil appetizers will be among the tastes we recommend you to taste while enjoying your dinner in Kuşadası. A pleasant dinner accompanied by the magnificent view of the sea will help you to relax after a tiring day.