Things to do in

Kusadasi

According to your tour pickup time, meet with your guide and start your day. First, visit the House of Virgin Mary. Located 6 km to the north of the ruins of Ephesus, this church was built in 6C AD on top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD. Next check out Ephesus, an archeological treasure and the best preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. During 1C AD, Ephesus was the second largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250.000 citizens. It was in the center of the known world and played the role of a gateway between the East and the West. With its giant harbor, it was also the center of trading in antiquity. It is also home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent gives you the feeling of a time traveler. After lunch, continue to the Temple of Artemis. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. At the end of the tour, head back to your hotel or the port.

According your pick-up time, meet with your guide and transfer to the first sight in ancient Ephesus, the best preserved classic city in the eastern Mediterranean and the largest open-air museum in Turkey. Ephesus contains more then 30 buildings and structures linked together by streets that still have the marks of ancient chariot wheels. Visit the Great Theatre, where St. Paul preached against the pagans and the gladiators once engaged in battle. Originally holding 25,000 people, this theater was built in the Hellenistic period and was renovated by several Roman emperors. Designed for theatrical performances, later alterations allowed gladiatorial contests to be held here. The face of the Library of Celsus, which has been remarkably restored, is probably the most photographed place in Ephesus originally built in 115 to 125. You might also be able to see the Odeon Temple, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, the steam Scholastica Baths, marble road, agora and the Temple of Domitian. After visiting ancient Ephesus, continue to the Temple of Arthemis. Considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis was dedicated to the Goddess of the Hunt. Only the foundation and one column remains of this temple which once measured 425 feet by 220 feet wide. St. Paul’s successful ministry in this city was considered a threat to this temple. The city reached its Golden Age and became a good model to the ancient world in culture and art. The tour finishes at around 1:00 PM, from here you will return to cruise port.

Get picked up at your hotel and then travel to the port to climb aboard a boat. Set sail along the beautiful coastline north of Kusadasi. Marvel at the rugged landscape of the Aegean coast. Stop at 3 different bays to snorkel with the magnificent marine life, and swim in the turquoise waters for approximately 1 hour at each location. Enjoy a tasty lunch on board the boat at Karasu, and feast from a delicious menu of meatballs, chicken, salads, pasta, potato salad and fruit. Return to the port in Kusadasi after your 3rd swimming stop, and get dropped off at your original departure point at the end of an amazing day at sea.

Journey off the beaten tracks in a buggy safari adventure. Enjoy driving along dirt paths, rivers, and on the beach. Follow your guide along a meandering river and spot the bright birds that nest alongside the water, then enjoy sweeping views of the Aegean Sea. Be ready to see lizards and snakes, while burning up the sandy parkour and passing through the marshes and forest. Ride the buggies through clouds of dust on the dusty roads for 1,5h. Take some perfect shots for your Instagram. Take a break at Pamucak Beach for a refreshing swim for 20min. Enjoy a stable, comfortable, and easy-to-steer vehicle.

A day trip to Pamukkale from the port city of Kusadasi is a nature and culture trip that you simply cannot afford to miss. The tour is mainly centered on the ancient town of Hierapolis and the world-famous travertine of Pamukkale. The travertine or calcium terraces are locally known as Pamukkale, meaning ‘cotton castle’ because of their physical appearance. The site is located around 198 kilometers from Kusadasi and is considered one of the oldest thermal towns in the world. Swimming in the thermal waters is one of the highlights of the travel, with the water temperature at 30 degrees Celsius. According to local legends, the thermal waters of Pamukkale can heal conditions such as heart disease, digestion, rheumatism, skin disease, circulation, and respiration. There are several small thermal pools that you can explore, depending on weather conditions. In addition to the thermal waters, another highlight of this trip is the ancient Greek town of Hierapolis, which translates to 'Holy City'. It was built just adjacent to Pamukkale hot springs by the 2nd BC king of Pergamon and spans about 2.7 kilometers in length, 0.6 kilometers wide, and 0.16 kilometers high. You can explore the main streets and ancient theater among many other ruins from the ancient Roman and Greek civilizations. Moreover, this antique city can be seen from the town of Denizli, some 20 kilometers away. For history buffs, the city got its name Hieropolis from the activity of minting bronze coins that were done there in the 2nd century BC, which later changed to Hierapolis. But when Attalus III died, he surrendered his kingdom to Rome, making it a part of the Roman province of Asia. One of the main attractions of the city of Hierapolis is the museum, which houses historical artifacts from the city as well as from Attuda, Tripolis, Laodicea, and Colossae. The exhibition space features three closed sections of the Hierapolis Bath as well as the open sections in the eastern part, which are believed to have been used as the gymnasium and library. Just next to the antique city and Pamukkale formation is the famous Cleopatra pool, which is quite an interesting attraction and visitors can test the waters here too. The pool was not owned by the legendary queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Rather, it is an artificial pool built on top of the ancient columns that fell from the adjacent two during the earthquake. What is more, you can swim amongst these columns and ruins in the Cleopatra pool. This tour gives you enough free time to relax, swim and enjoy the surrounding landscape. There are a total of 17 hot springs in Pamukkale, with a temperature ranging from 30 degrees Celsius to 100 degrees Celsius. An important point to note is that this entire site is listed as a UNESCO Heritage, and thus it i0s attracts millions of visitors every year from every corner of the world.

After greeting begin your 20-minute drive to Ephesus. Once there, begin touring the city, which is one of the 12 cities of the Ionian League. As a port city, this was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them discover the Baths of Scholastica and the Library of Celsus. Encounter the Temple of Hadrian and The Grand Theater, which are 2 of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Visit the Terrace Houses, located on the skirt of Pion Mountain. See the 6 residential units which were built on 3 man-made terraces. These houses are decorated with wall frescoes and floor mosaics, settled by the wealthy citizens of Ephesus. ( Terrace Houses is included in Private with Terrace Houses and Small group with Terrace Houses Options only. Not included in other 2 options. Attention Not recommended for people who has walking difficulties and acro-phobia (fear of heights).) See the House of Virgin Mary, located in the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus, and learn about its connection to when Mary came to Ephesus in 431 A.D. and why this area became a place of pilgrimage in 1892. Stop at the Artemission Temple, where one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world used to be. This will be the final stop on your tour before your return drive to your point of origin.

If you like adventure, join this Jeep Safari Tour with Land Rover Jeeps. The national park is about 15 miles away from Kusadasi. After your pick-up from Kusadasi hotels/ port, you will directly drive to national park. Along the way, feast your eyes on the beautiful Agean Sea view with lush olive trees and Turkish villages. The first place you wıll visit will be Echo Canyon and the old monastery where you can enjoy the view from over 1000 meters above sea level. Take lunch (BBQ) near the fire pool. Then, climb to the waterfall where you can enjoy the naturally rough terrain. The view from this area will include the island of Samos (Greece). You will make an exciting decent of the mountain and stop at Zeus Cave, where you will be able to swim in crystal clear waters. At Long Beach, enjoy a final swim, sunbathe on beach and you will also be able to get some drink in the cafe shop at the beach. After your last swim break at Long Beach, all the jeeps will drive back to the departure point.

Begin your 3-hour activity with a pick-up at your hotel and a drive to the forest camping site that’s the starting point for the quad safari. A professional guide will provide information about the tour, the quad and the course. Take your quad for a test drive before you head out. During the safari you’ll drive along paths by rivers and through woodland areas. When you arrive at Pamucak Beach, you can enjoy driving along the sand. Stop for a short break at the beach for swim. After the short rest, you’ll drive the quad back to the starting point, and then begin the ride back to your hotel. The total quad drıvıng is 1,5h. Please Note: 1 quad will be given for each adult booking (Single participant). Those who choose the children option will share the quad with adults (Double participants). Double Buggy: 2 people for 1 buggy Single Buggy: 1 Person on Buggy

Discover the stunning region of Pamukkale and its hot springs on a day trip from Selcuk, Kusadasi, or Izmir. Begin by meeting your driver/guide at the reception of your hotel in the morning and a transfer to Pamukkale. Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, built on solid limestone layers formed by mineral-rich waters that flowed for millennia over a raised level plateau. See the most significant sites of the sacred city including the Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the Necropolis. Admire the Necropolis (Cemetery) of Hierapolis, one of the largest ancient burial sites in Anatolia. See a Roman bath, the Gate of Domitian, the main street of the ancient city, and the Byzantium Gate. Walk to the natural warm water terraces, formed by running warm water rich in calcium and temperatures of 35 Celsius all year-round. Get the chance to see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis.  Enjoy optional free time to swim in Cleopatra’s Pool before ending the tour with a transfer back to your hotel. And during the tour you'll have the chance to have a look at the Turkish traditional handcrafts.

Private and Mini Group (Max. 10 Guests) Options with / without Terrace Houses Ephesus, The House of Virgin Mary and Artemission Temple on a guided tour. ( Skip the lines tickets are paid to our guide after the tour ) Your guide will have your name sign at the Kusadasi Cruise terminal exit just after you pass customs. Please note that pick up time ( usually 30 minutes after your cruise arrival ) will be emailed with in 24 hours after your reservation. If you miss this email, please do not forget to contact with us for pick up time. After meeting your guide, drive to the House of the Virgin Mary, located in the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus. Visit Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of the Ionian League, an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor, located near Izmir. As a port city, it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Walk through its historic marble streets lined with historic public buildings like the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Grand Theater. Visit the Terrace Houses, located on the skirt of Pion Mountain. See the 6 residential units which were built on 3 man-made terraces. These houses are decorated with wall frescoes and floor mosaics, settled by the wealthy citizens of Ephesus. ( Terrace Houses is included in Private with Terrace Houses and Mini group with Terrace Houses Options only. Not included in other 2 options. Attention Not recommended for people who has walking difficulties and acro-phobia (fear of heights).) Stop at Artemission Temple, which used to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as your last stop before driving back to Kusadasi town center. Please note : This tour is for cruise ship passengers only and is not available to those staying in hotels.