We were excited for this port on our Mediterranean cruise. While less known than the shopping town of Istanbul, Kusadasi, Turkey DID NOT disappoint. Looking for things to do in Kusadasi, Turkey? We’ve got you covered!
As the savvy travelers that we are, we came to Turkey ill-prepared. Pulling into port, we had done absolutely no research. We took a spur-of-the-moment spontaneous adventure and had a blast exploring Kusadasi and the surrounding sights!
Want to Explore Kusadasi, Turkey?
Things to do in Kusadasi, Turkey
Visit Ladies Beach
Probably one of the most popular beaches known to tourists is Ladies beach. Due to its close proximity (10-15 minute drive) to the Kusadasi Cruise Port, it is an easily accessible beach to relax for the day. If you are looking for a quiet spot to rest, this may not be the best beach as it has become commercialized with hotels, shops, and restaurants across the street.
Shop The Kusadasi Bazaar
Whether or not you enjoy shopping, a visit to the Kusadasi Bazaar should be on your list for the experience! The bazaar is very similar to an outdoor shopping mall with endless shopping options. Shopkeepers can be aggressive salesmen, so be prepared to bargain!
Also, be prepared to drink a lot of Turkish Apple Tea and eat considerable amounts of Turkish Delights! The Turkish people are very generous. It is not uncommon to be offered Turkish Tea or Turkish Delights as you shop. It is culturally impolite to not accept!
Explore Kusadasi Castle
The Kusadasi Castle is within walk-able distance to the Kusadasi Cruise Port! Located on Pigeon Island, the castle is connected by a causeway. Visitors come to experience the museum located inside the castle and to get a glimpse of the history of the 14th-15th century.
Want to Venture Out of Kusadasi, Turkey?
Things to do outside of Kusadasi, Turkey
Drive Through Selçuk
Indulge in Sweets at Kafkasli Lokum
Candy, anyone? This was my favorite place we visited on our way to Şirince! Inside the store you will find a variety of samples available to try before buying. We were taken here by our Taxi driver and, while the prices may be slightly higher than the Bazaar, it was a great experience!
Explore Gala Quality With A Private Guide
Our taxi driver drove us to this hidden gem (no pun intended) that displays so many beautiful necklaces, earrings, and rings. According to Gala Quality, this location recently just opened to the public (as long as you have a local guide), as their main focus is Whole Sale. After reading reviews online, I’m not sure what I was told is true; however, I do know that it was a fun experience on our journey to Şirince.
Shop at Baggio Rossini Leather
Leather, leather, and more leather! The moment we entered, we were graciously greeted with Turkish Apple Tea and welcoming smiles with the hopes we would purchase a new leather jacket or handbag. To be honest, I probably would have splurged if I had understood how to do the conversions from Lira to USD. #rookiemistake
Visit Şirince, Turkey
Şirince, Turkey is a quaint Greek village that’s approximately a 40 minute drive from Kusadasi. It invites Instagram worthy pictures with the narrow cobblestone streets, enchanting buildings, and mountainside scenery.
Getting There
Figuring out transportation can be difficult, but not impossible. There are 2 public transportation options, depending on your time and adventurous spirit!
- Dolmus (minibus): This is the public transportation of Turkey. We considered being adventurous, but it was not a direct route to Şirince. With our time constraint, I’m glad we chose to travel by taxi.
- Taxi: We took a last minute taxi to Şirince and would do it again. Our taxi driver stayed with us all day, showed us several local sites, and provided us a round trip drive for a reasonable fare. So easy!
Support the Locals at the Şirince Bazaar
Turkey has so many wonderful places to shop! The small village of Şirince has their very own bazaar with so many locally made trinkets. I had always heard about the beautiful ceramics, intricate handmade rugs, leather, scarves, pottery, and delicious Turkish delight made famous by Turkey.
Needless to say, Şirince did not disappoint in the shopping department. I was so excited when we walked away with moonstone ceramics and scarves at a fraction of the price back home! Unlike the U.S, however, shopping in Turkey quickly becomes tiring because of the endless bargaining for the best price. Get ready to haggle!
Eat the Local Cuisine
There are so many delicious foods and one of our favorite things is to try the local cuisine! Because Şirince is a small village, several locals only speak the native language, which can make communicating a food order fun and interesting.
We ate at a quick sandwich shop and ordered our food by pointing to a picture that looked appetizing. It was some of the best food we ate on our European trip.
We were also not well prepared as the local vendors don’t accept credit card. We highly recommend having some smaller bills (Euros, Turkish Lira, or USD) on hand!
Wear Good Footwear!
Located on mountainside cliffs, the village of Şirince is abounding with charm and serenity. The natural beauty creates a perfect backdrop for photographs to relive the memories being created.
As quaint as the village appears, walking the narrow and winding cobblestone streets proved quite challenging. There were uneven steps in many places and very steep areas to hike in order to get a glimpse of the best views. I strongly encourage good, supportive shoes if visiting Şirince for the first time.
Understand the Currency
The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL); however, many shops and restaurants will accept the Euro and U.S Dollar. Make sure you research the currency conversion rate before shopping.
I thought I had done my homework and understood the conversion. Obviously not… I saw a beautiful genuine red leather jacket. Thinking it was $400 I quickly left the store. Josh later told me it would have been $40. I could have died!
Don’t be like me. Learn from my mistakes and understand the conversions!
To Summarize
In summary, Turkey is a charming place with nice people, affordable shopping, and quaint villages off the beaten path. Be prepared to haggle, indulge in the local cuisine, and explore the area with a local (if possible!) We hope this guide helps as you plan things to do for your very own Turkey vacation!
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Kusadasi, Turkey and Surrounding Areas FAQ’s
Why is Kusadasi famous?
Kusadasi is a major cruise ship port in Turkey and is known for the affordable shopping.
Does Kusadasi have a beach?
Yes, Kusadasi has several beaches! One of the most popular to visit is Ladies beach. This is largely due to its proximity to the cruise port, allowing tourists easy accessibility to the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean.
Is Şirince worth visiting?
Definitely! Şirince, Turkey is a quaint Greek village that’s approximately a 40 minute drive from Kusadasi. It invites Instagram worthy pictures with the narrow cobblestone streets, enchanting buildings, and mountainside scenery.
