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Have a night out in Kusadasi
Ozdere is an early-to-bed type of place, so if you’re in the mood for a night on the tiles, make the half-hour trip to Kusadasi. There are plenty of bars and live music venues that stay open ‘til late around the old town – Kaleici – and the aptly named Bar Street. Down at the beach you’ll find a couple of clubs, too.When it comes to eating out Turkish-style, Ozdere has the real deal – along the seafront and the main road, you’ll find family-run restaurants offering classics like stuffed vine leaves, pide flatbread, and sticky baklava. And it’s no surprise that seafood makes an appearance on most menus, too.
Read MoreKids have got it made at Ozdere Beach. The sands are really soft – perfect for sandcastle building – and the waters stay shallow for ages, making them prime paddling territory. If you fancy exploring a bit more, walk up to the little harbour and you can sign up for one of the boat trips – they chug along the coast to secret snorkelling spots and secluded coves.
Read MoreTick off another country with a trip across the water to Samos. You’ll pitch up in Samos Town, the island’s charming waterside capital. Browse the boutiques around the main square for local wine and honey, before café-hopping along the quayside. If you want to venture a bit further, there’s a pebbled beach nearby, plus the pretty fishing town of Pythagorian – where maths whiz Pythagoras was born.
Read MoreEvery Saturday, a market pops up in the centre of Ozdere, near the mosque. Locals stock up at the fruit, veg, fish and spice stalls, while visitors tend to make a beeline for the tables piled high with chunky pottery, handcrafted jewellery and leather goodies. As always, haggling’s expected – and the more you buy, the bigger discount you can expect to get.
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