Dodge the crowds at Milli Park
This nature reserve in Guzelcamli is owned by the government, and it’s home to 3 beaches that have remained a bit of a secret from tourists. In fact, you’ll usually only have a few Mediterranean gulls and grey herons for company. It’s a half-an-hour dolmus ride from Kusadasi to get here, but the fare includes entry to the park.This ancient site is really close to Pamukkale. A bit like Bath, it once teemed with Romans who came here to take the waters. These days, it’s mostly ruins left behind, but you can still get a feel for how it would have looked way back when. Ones for the list are the vast theatre, colonnaded main street, and the fascinating museum that’s chock-a-block with 2,000-year-old finds.
Read MoreThis festival pulls in musicians, dancers and actors from around the globe to perform in some of Izmir’s most historic venues, like Ephesus’ Celsus Library and Great Theatre. It runs from mid-June ‘til mid-July, and previous cast lists read like a who’s who of the entertainment world – from the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra to Elton John.
Read MoreThe clue to this popular beach is its name – it’s right in the centre of Kusadasi. It backs on to the main drag, Ataturk Boulevard, which is lined with Turkish coffee shops and restaurants. As for the beach, it’s a small, sunbed-lined stretch that has views of the port and marina, and out to Pigeon Island.
Read MoreThis tiny island finds a home in Kusadasi’s harbour. It’s linked to the mainland by a causeway and is crowned by a Byzantine castle – once used to defend the coast against rampaging pirates. When you’re done exploring the fortress, pull up a chair in a café and enjoy the views of Kusadasi – they’re so good you’ll wish your camera had a wider lens.
Read MoreThis is Kusadasi’s queen bee of beaches. It’s a kilometre-long stretch of sand and shingle that’s just a 10-minute dolmus ride from the town centre. You’ll find lifeguards on duty, watersports like kayaking and jet-skiing, and, just past the palm-lined pedestrian walkway, bustling restaurants and cafés.
Read MoreThis jazz festival is organised by the Izmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education, and it’s held annually in early March. Open-air concerts featuring big-name artists attract crowds from all over Turkey and Europe. Past performances have come courtesy of Oli Bott and Jean-Francois Giansily.
Read MoreGet a different view of Turkey’s coastline on a gulet cruise. On board one of these traditional wooden boats – they get their name from the French ‘goulette’ or schooner – you can nip in and out of little coves and find your own secluded beach. Or, just stretch out on the roomy deck and make the most of a day at sea.
Read MoreEphesus takes top honours on Turkey’s must-see list and it’s no wonder – it’s considered the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Med. And with an amphitheatre that’s still being used, the impressive two-storey columns of the Library of Celsus, and the 6th-century Basilica of St John, it’s definitely one for history buffs.
Read MoreUsually held during the first week in May, the Selçuk-Ephesus Culture, Art and Tourism Festival celebrates Turkish culture and heritage. There are concerts, theatre performances and folk shows with traditional dancing throughout the week, and some are performed at Ephesus’ Great Theatre.
Read MoreIf you want to check out the scenery in these parts, you’ve got options. Horse riding is really popular – you can saddle up for a hack along mountain trails or canter through the surf along one of the deserted beaches. A 4x4 safari is another good bet. Lots of these 4x4 off-road tours take place in the sleepy forests of the Dilek National Park.
Read MoreThe Aegean coast’s good looks aren’t reserved for its beaches and pine-stacked hills. Underwater, there’s a whole other world of coral reefs and shipwrecks that’ll impress experienced divers as well as first-timers. If you haven’t got your PADI certificates, you can swot up at one of the coast’s diving schools. And if you don’t fancy going the whole hog, you can go snorkelling instead.
Read MoreThe clue to this place’s curious looks is in its name, which translates as ‘cotton castle’. It’s a series of mini, limestone-lined pools that loop down a mountain and look like clouds that have been stitched together. This World Heritage Site isn’t just pretty, though – its warm waters are said to contain minerals that’ll get you fighting fit, so you’ll want to pack a swimsuit.
Read MoreThis place, 150 kilometres from Kusadasi, dates back to the 1st century BC and serves up some first-class ruins. Its star turn is a 30,000-seater sports arena. The Wembley Stadium of its day, it’s thought to be the Med’s biggest and best-preserved ancient athletics ground. Take a seat on one of the marble steps and you can almost hear the roar of the toga-wearing crowds.
Read MoreThe sun-baked sands of Long Beach unravel along the coast of Kusadasi for five kilometres, so it’s easy to see how the place got its name. The whole stretch is backed by seafood eateries and cafés, which means there’s plenty of choice when lunchtime rolls around. In the afternoons, the waters can get choppy, and you’ll often spot locals trying to catch a break. There are kiosks here where you can rent surfboards and join in the action.
Read MoreThis stretch of coast is home to a trio of waterparks. The biggest, Adaland, is packed with flumes and rivers, and also puts on dolphin shows. Aqua Fantasy, meanwhile, is great for little ones thanks to its Disney-esque castles and smaller rides. And Aqua Centre, on Kusadasi’s Long Beach, ups the ante with sky-high slides.
Read MoreHeard of the Oracle of Delphi? Well, back in the day, the Oracle of Didyma was just as famous as its Greek counterpart. A bit like a hotline to heaven, the priests and priestesses here would pass on messages from the gods. Wander inside the huge walled chamber to see where they once stood to receive their divine prophecies.
Read MoreYou’re guaranteed some peace and quiet at this sleepy beach, 15 minutes’ drive north of Kusadasi. In fact, the only attraction other than the pebbly stretch itself is a smattering of remains from a 5th-century BC settlement. Ask a local and they’ll point them out to you.
Read More