Twin cities are a special case of two cities or urban centers that are founded in close geographic proximity. They are not conjoined cities but can grow into each other over time not necessarily losing their individuality. St. Paul and Minneapolis, Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Pushkar and Ajmer are some examples. You can add Kusdasi and Ephesus to this list.
Kusadasi: Kusdasi has been a port city for eternity. Today, all cruise boats that travel on Aegean Sea stop over at Kusadasi making it the busiest cruise port in Turkey. You can spend a day or two in this beautiful city eating some lip-smacking Mediterranean cuisine and looking around for “Indirim” (sales/discounts) at Marina. The promenade is safe, well-lit and a great place to walk/jog early in the morning. If you are in this city don’t forget to take a sunset cruise to enjoy the coastline.
This town reminds me of Kovalam near Thiruvananthapuram. A small hillock by the sea, a lighthouse and a panoramic view of the coastline from Marina. Here are some pictures I took during my stay: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KRwV89JBkPxsio6Z8
Where to stay? There are numerous hotels, Airbnbs’ at Kusadasi. Book an accommodation closer to the beach as there is nothing else to see in this town.
How to make it memorable?
How to make it memorable?
- Wake up before sunrise for a run/walk by the promenade
- Shop and eat at the Marina
- Sunset cruise to get a glimpse of the coast
- Go to Adaland waterpark (largest in Europe) closeby
- Look at all the knockoffs they sell in the market and promenade
- Visit the Tourism office located very close to the sun set cruise point for queries/more information
- Light colored clothing, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and waterbottle
- Keep you souvenir shopping for Istanbul (Eminonu Market)
To and from bus terminus
Minivans run within the city and they take you to the main bus terminus and local terminus where you can catch shuttles to Ephesus. Izmir is 2 hours distance from Kusadasi and Last Minute Travels and Havas both have busses to Izmir airport and city.
We had booked a tour to go to Ephesus as the monuments are a bit spread out. Unfortunately, the tour agency cancelled our trip, but we came up with a better plan to reach Ephesus and tour the place. We stopped by the tourism office to find a way out. I’ll tell you the story of how we got there and toured the city later. Now, let’s learn about Ephesus aka Selcuk.
Ephesus (Selcuk): Ephesus was culturally rich and economically prosperous town. The Greeks turned this into port city for trading, worship (Temple of Artemis), entertainment (theatre) and education (library). Later, the Romans took over this city. Even Virgin Mary came here after crucifixion of Jesus and stayed till she breathed her last and her home is a place of worship today. Sadly, an earthquake turned this city into ruin and the one of the wonders of the ancient world is a ruin today.
Today, this town is akin to ruins at Hampi, where the Vijayanagar empire once upon flourished and was overthrown by Islamic invasion. You can skip your trip to Greece and Rome as this place has it all. Here is a small video tour:
Minivans run within the city and they take you to the main bus terminus and local terminus where you can catch shuttles to Ephesus. Izmir is 2 hours distance from Kusadasi and Last Minute Travels and Havas both have busses to Izmir airport and city.
We had booked a tour to go to Ephesus as the monuments are a bit spread out. Unfortunately, the tour agency cancelled our trip, but we came up with a better plan to reach Ephesus and tour the place. We stopped by the tourism office to find a way out. I’ll tell you the story of how we got there and toured the city later. Now, let’s learn about Ephesus aka Selcuk.
Ephesus (Selcuk): Ephesus was culturally rich and economically prosperous town. The Greeks turned this into port city for trading, worship (Temple of Artemis), entertainment (theatre) and education (library). Later, the Romans took over this city. Even Virgin Mary came here after crucifixion of Jesus and stayed till she breathed her last and her home is a place of worship today. Sadly, an earthquake turned this city into ruin and the one of the wonders of the ancient world is a ruin today.
Today, this town is akin to ruins at Hampi, where the Vijayanagar empire once upon flourished and was overthrown by Islamic invasion. You can skip your trip to Greece and Rome as this place has it all. Here is a small video tour:
We took a local minivan from Kusadasi to Ephesus and walked to Temple of Artemis and Church and Fort. The 3 places are within 1 km away from the bus station in the same direction. At the temple of Artemis, we struck a deal with the local guy to take us to the house of Virgin Mary and ruins at Ephesus. He took us around for 3 hours and we had a magnificent self-tour of Ephesus. You can buy a single Museum pass that allows you to visit ruins, Basilica and Fortress.
Where to stay?
I stayed at Kusadasi and did a day trip. But I see a lot of luxurious resorts and hotels in this town. You may want stay here.
What to see?
- Basilica
- Mosque
- Fortress
- Museum
- Temple of Artemis
- Ephesus ruins
- Virgin Mary’s House
Start early in the morning (8am) as the place can get little warm and ruins have no trees for shade.
Here are some pictures I took during my visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZU9oDfjoc1GLrKCg6
To and from bus terminus
Minivans run within the city and they take you to most of the places except Virgin Mary’s Home. You will need to strike a deal with the local cabbie to go there. There are lot of shuttles between Ephesus and Kusadasi and most long-distance busses stop at Ephesus bus terminus.
Hope you’ve been enjoying this trip so far. The next stop is at Cappadocia and that will be our last stop after which you will have to start planning your trip to Turkey. If you have any questions, I’m just an email away.
I stayed at Kusadasi and did a day trip. But I see a lot of luxurious resorts and hotels in this town. You may want stay here.
What to see?
- Basilica
- Mosque
- Fortress
- Museum
- Temple of Artemis
- Ephesus ruins
- Virgin Mary’s House
Start early in the morning (8am) as the place can get little warm and ruins have no trees for shade.
Here are some pictures I took during my visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZU9oDfjoc1GLrKCg6
To and from bus terminus
Minivans run within the city and they take you to most of the places except Virgin Mary’s Home. You will need to strike a deal with the local cabbie to go there. There are lot of shuttles between Ephesus and Kusadasi and most long-distance busses stop at Ephesus bus terminus.
Hope you’ve been enjoying this trip so far. The next stop is at Cappadocia and that will be our last stop after which you will have to start planning your trip to Turkey. If you have any questions, I’m just an email away.
Vidoes are a lively touch.
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