BEST Things to Do in Kusadasi, Turkey (And Surrounding Areas!) [2024]

BEST Things to Do in Kusadasi, Turkey (And Surrounding Areas!) [2024]

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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!

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Want to Explore Kusadasi, Turkey?

Things to do in Kusadasi, Turkey

Kusadasi, Turkey sign on the shores of the cruise port terminal
Kusadasi Sign On The Hill. Photo: FlyawayCouple

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

Beautiful Handmade Oriental Rugs
Beautiful oriental rugs are sold at the Kusadasi Bazaar. Photo: FlyawayCouple

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

Kusadasi Castle on Pigeon Island in Turkey: One of the many things to do in Kusadasi, Turkey!
Kusadasi Castle is a historic landmark. Photo: FlyawayCouple

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
Case of candy in a candy store in Selcuk, Turkey
Sweets are very popular!! Photo: FlyawayCouple

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

Girl poses on the streets of Sirince, Turkey
Make sure to add Sirince, Turkey to your itinerary! Photo: FlyawayCouple

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!

  1. 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.
  2. 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
Cobblestone streets in Sirince Turkey
Sirince is such a quaint town that is filled with character. Photo: FlyawayCouple

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
Girl Having Lunch in Sirince, Turkey
Eat with the locals and enjoy the culture. Photo: FlyawayCouple

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!
Hillside homes in Sirince, Turkey
The views are definitely worth the trek to the top. Photo: FlyawayCouple

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.

Sara & Josh

While Sara and Josh may be new to the travel blogging world, that doesn't mean they lack knowledge or experience in booking bougie vacations. With a talent for finding travel deals, Sara and Josh are here to teach YOU some of their tricks to traveling "bougie on a budget." Learn more about their story and please reach out with any questions or comments via e-mail at: [email protected].

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