WHERE TO VISIT ?
Güvercin Adası (Pigeon Island)
This tiny island off the west coast of the town is just a few hundred metres from the mainland, and connected by walkway. It contains a fortress, which was constructed by the Ottomans and restored and strengthened in 1834. Kusadasi was an important defensive port along the Ottoman Aegean coast, and the fortress helped prevent attacks coming from the islands. It is now a relaxing place with landscaped terraces and several teahouses and snack bars.
CRUISER and YACHT PORTS
There are two wharfs, where tourist ships are approaching and also a yacht port with 650 yacht capacity in Kuşadası. Ships are approaching to Kuşadası Port during all seasons. Passenger motor voyages are regularly organized from Kuşadasi port to Greek Island, Sisam (Samos) during spring and summer months (Every day between 1st April and 20th October), and during winter months these voyages are turned as charters. There are daily and hourly picnic touring passenger motors in the port, and Blue Tour organizing yachts are also in the yacht port.
MOSQUE and CARAVANSERAIS
Kale İçi Mosque
It is constructed on 1618 by Grand Vizier Öküz Paşa.
Öküz Mehmet Paşa Caravansary
Built in 1618 by Grand Vizier Okuz Pasa, there are artillery holes still visible on the external walls, in an effort to protect the city against pirates. It is now a luxury hotel.
BEACHES
The most famous beach in the area is Kadinlar Denizi (Ladies' Beach), 3km south of town and well connected by dolmus, which is very crowded in high season. Guvercin Adasi has rocky shores but it is possible to swim, and there is a small beach 500m north of Yilanci Burnu peninsula. A better beach is Pamucak,15km north on the road to Selcuk.
THERMAL SPRING
The most important thermal springs in the area are Ciban (Yavansu), Venus and Guzelcamli.
CAVERNS
Karaca Cavern
Location: Aydın, Kuşadası District
Properties: It is a passive cave. As the cave is passive, there is no rivers or creeks present inside the cave. But the waters dripping from the cracks helped the formation of various damlataş (drop - shaped precious stone) forms. There are also some travertine pools and a few small lakes present inside the cave. There is no significant air flow inside the cave. The moisture level of the cave atmosphere tends to increase relatively as proceeded t-inside the cave.
NATIONAL and NATURAL PARKS
Büyük Menderes Delta National Park
Location: This park is in the region of Kusadasi and Soke, in the province of Aydin.
Transport: The park can be reached via the Kusadasi - Soke highway, and lies roughly in the middle of the two towns.
Highlights: The northern side of the park has plants rarely seen in the Mediterranean region. There are many bay and chestnut trees, and it is the only area where the Finike juniper and pirnal oaks are found together. Mediterranean seals and sea turtles are breeding on the shores of the lake,.
Guzelcamli village, at the northeast edge of the national park and at the foot of Dilek mountain, was used as the assembly place for the political and scientific centre of Ionia in the 9th and 8th centuries BC.
Facilities: It is possible to stay in the park in tents or caravans, and there is food available.
Don't Leave Without
Seeing Öküz Mehmet Paşa Caravanserai,
Visiting Guvercin Fortress,
Swimming on one of the many beaches,
Relaxing in Dilek Peninsula National Park,
Getting a famous Blue Voyage,
Trying out some of the bars and nightclubs.
Contact Information
Tourist Office
Address: İskele Meydanı
Tel: (90 256) 614 11 03
Fax: (90 256) 614 6295
Private Kuşadası Hospital
Address: Türkmen Mahallesi Anit Sokak
Tel: (90 256) 613 1616
Aydın - Bafa Lake
Location: Bafa Lake is in the Soke District of Aydin province, in the Aegean Region.
Transportation: Bafa Lake is at the southeast of the Buyuk Menderes Delta, and 25 km from Soke from where it is easily accessible.
Highlights: The lake, once part of the Aegean Sea, became a lake as result of geomorphologic development of Buyuk Menderes Delta and is in an area of relatively unspoilt beauty. Its main sources are from Buyuk Menderes, and the underground rivers flowing from the surrounding mountains.
Plant life consists of tamarisks, pine trees, and olive groves. The lake protects the ecosystem of the delta, and therefore provides a winter habitat for many species of birds which would otherwise be in danger of extinction: Around 300,000 birds nest here, including pelican, dwarf cormorant and sea eagle and there are 700 kinds of plankton in the lake and a variety of water plants, which encourages many species of fish.
Historical and cultural sites around the lake include the antique city of Heraclia, at the foot of the Besparmak mountains, which has the remains of the Athena Temple, an agora council building, public bath, theatre, and Endymion temple. In order to protect these areas, 12,281 hectares of the park were given the status of Natural Park in 1994.
Facilities: Inside the park are a Visitor's Centre, camping area, picnic sites, trekking paths and bird-watching towers.
Aydın - Güney Waterfall (Güney Şelalesi)
Place: Aydın
Characteristics: A waterfall having superior landscape values in its structure.
Foundation Date: 09.11.1994
Aydın - Bafa Lake Natural Park
Location: The Bafa Lake Natural Park takes place within the borders of Söke District of Aydın Province in Aegean Region.
Transportation: The Bafa Lake is at the south-east of Great Menderes (Büyük Menderes) Delta, and 25 km far away from the Söke District. It is possible to reach to the park overland route.
Highlights: The Bafa Lake, which used to be a part of Aegean Sea, had turned to be a lake as result of geomorphologic development of Great Menderes Delta. Bafa Lake is one of the least spoiled watery areas at the shore, in Turkey. The maximum depth of the Bafa Lake reaches to 25 meters. The main water sources of the Bafa Lake are the water floods of Great Menderes (Büyük Menderes) River, and the underground waters coming from the mountains at the environment.
The plant cover around lake consists of tamarisks, pine trees, and olive groves. The Bafa Lake shelters the ecosystem characteristics of Great Menderes delta. Because of that reason it provides a winter quarter and a place for reproduction for many bird species which are under the danger of vanishing.
The main bird species in the Bafa Lake Natural Park are pelican, dwarf cormorant and sea eagle. The Park provides a winter quarter for more than 300.000 different bird species.
There are 700 kinds of plankton in the Lake, and a variety of water plants. This causes many fish species to live in the lake. As the cultural and historical values of the Bafa Lake; Heraclia Antic City takes place within the borders of the Lake, at the south west foot of Beşparmak Mountains. In the Antic City there are many historical buildings; these are Athena Temple, an Agora, Council Building, Public Bath, Theatre, Nymphaion (fountain building), and Endymion Temple.
In order to protect the historical and natural values of the area, at the date of 1994, 12281 hectares of it had been taken under the status of Natural Park.
Facililities: In the park; a visitor centre, a camping area, places for daily use and picnic, walking and trekking footpaths, and bird - watching stations will be available.
THERMAL SPRINGS
Underground river The rich boat-shaped valley formed by the numerous springs of the Menderes Watershed which flows down to the Aegean from heights of up to 900 m. also has abundant underground water supplies. There are 262 villages with artesian wells in the province of Aydın.
Alan Güllü Thermal Springs At Bozköy near Germencik, the springs have facilities which include an indoor thermal pool approved by the municipality and 32 rooms with 70 beds. In addition, there are modern treatment and accommodation facilities, in what has become one of the biggest and most modern thermal springs in the area.
HIGHLANDS
The highland villages most worth of a visit are Paşa Highland, Kahvederesi Highland, Necippazar Highland, Bulgurlu , Sarıcaova, Ömür, Madran, Korumaz Highland and Kavşit Highland.
CAVES OF AYDIN
Karaca Cave
Location: Aydın, Kuşadası District
Properties: It is a passive cave. As the cave is passive, there is no rivers or creeks present inside the cave. But the waters dripping from the cracks helped the formation of various damlataş (drop - shaped precious stone) forms. There are also some travertine pools and a few small lakes present inside the cave. There is no significant air flow inside the cave. The moisture level of the cave atmosphere tends to increase relatively as proceeded t-inside the cave.
ORNITHOLOGY AREAS
Bafa Lake
City: Aydın, Muğla
Provinces: Yenihisar, Söke, Milas
Surface Area : 12281
Altitude: 5 m
Protection: Yes
Bird Species: Tepeli pelikan (42 pairs), bataklık kırlangıcı (85 pairs), akça cılıbıt (150 pairs), Akdeniz martısı (800 pairs), Hazar sumrusu (6 pairs) and küçük sumru (300 pairs) are the important species, reproducing within the area. During winter, important number of water birds (max. 29.982), including karabatak (max. 3005), küçük karabatak (max. 350), tepeli pelikan (max. 434), büyük ak balıkçıl (max. 312), flamingo (max. 8650), fiyu (max. 5623), kılıçgaga (max.1000) and ince gagalı martı (max. 1284) can be seen.
Main Characteristics: coastal lagoons, salty swamp
SPORTS ACTIVITIES
The best place for nature walks and hiking is the region from Dilek Peninsula and continues through Karina to the Büyük Menderes river delta and Lake Bafa. When one remembers that there is a golf course at Söke, which is right in the middle of this area, this could well be seen as the provincial center for recreation and sports activities. Other potential places are Paşa Highland, Karacasu Highland and Madran Highland. Nature walks can be taken from Aphrodisias to Baba Mountain and along these routes as well: Karacasu to Dandalas Highland, Aydın to Paşa Highland, Çine to Madran Highland and Güzelçamlı to Karina. Güzelçamlı-Dilek Peninsula and Didim - Akbük are good places for bicycle riding. There is sports fishing in Lake Bafa and hunting in the village of Bozdoğan Alamut.
Aydın Kuşadası - Davutlar Youth Camp
Kuşadası/Aydın
Camp Tel: (+90-256) 681 19 10
Fax: (+90-256) 681 40 60
Administrative Office Tel: (+90-256) 225 94 65 / 212 21 89
Administrative Office Fax:(+90-256) 225 21 54
There are 25 bungalows each with 4 beds. Bathroom and toilets are outside and shared by all of the bungalows. There is a volleyball and basketball court.
Distance from Kuşadası to the Camp: 20 km. 15-20 minutes
Geography
Affected by the Mediterranean climate, the rainy season is winter and snow is rarely seen. Aydın is open to the winds coming in off the sea from the west. In the summertime it practically never rains.
History
Aydın was founded by the Trallians and known as Tralles. After being destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt, it was controlled by the Spartans, Hittites, Phrygians, Ionians, Lydians, Persians and Romans, all of whom brought their own culture and contributed to the development of the region.
Where to Eat
Recommended local foods include the famous figs, grapes and grape wines, citrus fruits, bitter orange jelly and the rich seafood cuisine such as bream, mullet, red sea bream and red mullet.
What to Buy
Gift items available in the region include carpets, rugs, leather clothing and jewelry.
Don't Leave Without
-Visiting the ancient city of Aphrodisias
-Watching the Golden Pigeon races at Kuşadası
-Tasting the exquisite olive oil dishes unique to the Aegean and the delicious figs, fabulous grapes and grape wines and the wide variety of citrus fruits.
-Purchasing some of the bitter orange jelly.
-Trying the delicious seafood: bream, mullet, red sea bream and red mullet
-Visiting the elegant boutiques selling carpets, rugs, leather clothing, jewelry and other souvenir items.
Sites
Registered Immobile Cultural and Natural Heritages in Aydın
Sites
Archeological Sites: 83
Urban Sites: 5
Natural Sites: 9
Historical Sites: 1
Other Sites
Archeological and Natural Sites: 2
Total: 100
Cultural (at Single Construction Scale) and Natural Heritages: 735
TOTAL: 835
