Kuşadası

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Kuşadası, Turkey

Ladies' Beach in Kuşadası
Map

Location in Turkey
Kuşadası, Turkey briefly
Province Aydın
Coordinates 37°86′ N 27°26′ E
Postal code 09x xx
Licence plate code 09
Website http://www.kusadasi.bel.tr

Kuşadası is a town on the Aegean coast of Turkey, near the ancient city of Ephesus, 90 km south of İzmir and a short distance across from the island of Samos. It is extremely popular as a tourist destination, both for its many beaches, and as the port for cruise ship passengers heading to Ephesus. Kusadasi has a residential population of 50,000 which rises to over half a million during the summer due to local and foreign tourists.

Kusadasi was a minor port overshadowed by Ephesus until Ephesus' harbor silted up. It was known as New Ephesus, Scala Nuova, and Kush-Adasi at the beginning of the 20th century.

The name comes from 'kuş' (bird) and 'ada' (island). Just next to the old harbor is a small island that has a rock with the shape of a bird's head (as seen from the sea).

Near to Kuşadası, there is a national park full of beautiful beaches just 1 km before the town of Güzelçamlı. Also, several aqua-parks are located near the town: the largest are Aqua Fantasy and Aqua Land.

A panoramic view of Kuşadası
A panoramic view of Kuşadası