20km (12 miles) southwest of Selçuk; 95km (59 miles) south of Izmir; 220km (136 miles) west of Pamukkale; 151km (94 miles) north of Bodrum
Twenty-five years ago, when Kusadasi was discovered by the yachting set, it was a typically unspoiled community of fishermen and farmers, with barely a dirt road running through it. Have times changed. Far from the village that attracted holiday-seekers in the first place, Kusadasi has built itself up into a frenzy of tourism, leaving much of its original character in the wake of cruise ships full of tourists ready to disgorge the contents of their wallets on jewelry and carpets on their way in and out of Ephesus. Unfortunately, the local businessmen are more than willing to oblige.
On the opposite end of Kusadasi's economic spectrum are the package tourists in from England and middle-class Turks sunning themselves atop concrete hotel blocks in the center of town. The city's redevelopment of the waterfront certainly was a positive improvement, creating a stretch of sandy beach and seafront promenade. But in spite of the city's loss of innocence, the fringes of the city limits and beyond boast some of the most splendid coastline around. And if you're based pool- or beachside, particularly at one of the hotels listed below, or on a day-boat excursion, it really doesn't matter how overdeveloped the center of town is. If you're looking for a beach holiday and a convenient jumping-off point for a visit to the surrounding archaeological sights, then Kusadasi may be just the right compromise.
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