white and blue boat on sea near city buildings during daytime

Kuşadası

A resort town and cruise port on the Aegean where you can spend a day among the ruins of Ephesus, about 20 km away, and still have time for the sea.

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Kuşadası is a resort town and cruise port on the Aegean coast of Türkiye, in Aydın Province. The harbor has ferries to the Greek island of Samos, and the town center has cafés, shops and bars along its streets. The main reason to stay is location: the ancient city of Ephesus is about 20 km away, near Selçuk.

Kuşadası suits a short trip built around ruins and a swim, or a longer stay as a base for the wider Aegean coast. Plan a full day for Ephesus, and allow more time if you add the Samos ferry. Dolmuş minibuses run between the town and Selçuk, the base for Ephesus. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for walking among the ruins and for the beaches. Summer is hot, and cruise days bring large groups into the center.

Kuşadası in five

Reach Ephesus at openingThe Ministry lists Ephesus as open daily from 08:00 with ticket sales to 17:45, and the Terrace Houses on separate hours, 09:00 to 17:00. Shade is scarce, so arrive early on cruise days.Ephesus hours
Leave a buffer on cruise daysIf you come from a ship, build a one-hour margin between your last stop and the gangway. Roads between Selçuk and the port can jam in the afternoon.
Take dolmuş to Selçuk, then go on to EphesusDolmuş link Kuşadası and Selçuk, the town beside Ephesus. Check the final return time before you stay for the Terrace Houses or sunset.Ephesus day trip
Decide on the Samos ferry in advanceA ferry crosses to the Greek island of Samos from the port in the warm season. Keep Ephesus and Samos on separate days, because both want a morning start and the crossing can be canceled in rough weather.
Use the Aegean MuseumPass for a ruin weekThe pass costs €95 for 7 days and lists Ephesus, the Terrace Houses, Priene, Miletus and Didyma, so it suits two or three ruin days rather than one.Aegean MuseumPass

Things to do in Kuşadası

See all attractions in Kuşadası

Beach · KuşadasıLadies BeachArrive early in the morning for calmer water and the pick of the free space, especially from July to October.

Mosque · KuşadasıKaleiçi Camii

Castle · KuşadasıKuşadası CastleGo early if you prefer a quieter visit.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to KuşadasıPut the places you like in Kuşadası on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: İzmir Adnan Menderes (ADB), about an hour by shuttle or car
Getting there: Shuttles and buses from İzmir; ferry from Samos in summer
Getting around: Dolmuş and taxis; walk the harbor and old bazaar
Best base: The center for the harbor; Kadınlar Denizi for sand
Time needed: 2–3 days with Ephesus and one beach day

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Mild, wet
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Mild, wet
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Spring
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, green
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, clear
JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Hot
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low23°Very hot
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low23°Very hot
SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Warm sea
OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm, quiet
NovemberClear9 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Mild
DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Mild, wet

Average daily high and low in Kuşadası, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Kuşadası

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 16°
Humidity: 86%
Wind: 11 km/h
Chance of rain: 95%

Ephesus

11:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+3

Today19°14°95%Monday: Rain. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 95%.
Tue20°14°83%Tuesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 83%.
Wed17°13°80%Wednesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 80%.
Thu17°11°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri15°10°0%Friday: Clear. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat15°9°0%Saturday: Clear. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun15°7°0%Sunday: Clear. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 08:12 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.94 TRY

Amount

Converted to

TRY · Turkish Lira

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Ephesus and Selçukabout 30 min by car or dolmuşA Roman city, the Terrace Houses and the town beside it.Read the guide
Priene, Miletus and Didymaabout 1–1.5 hours by car, as a loopThree ancient sites in a long day, all on the Aegean MuseumPass.
Pamukkaleabout 3 hours each wayA long day trip; a night there is far more comfortable.Read the guide

Before you go to Kuşadası

Ephesus and Priene toursGuided half days with transportCompare day trips

Kuşadası stayHarbor, beach or hillsideCheck availability

eSIM for the AegeanDolmuş and ferry apps on arrivalRead the guide

Insurance for a cruise stopCover for a missed ship or ferryRead the guide

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Rules for Kuşadası, checked

Ephesus: open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, ticket sales end 17:45; the Terrace Houses open 09:00 to 17:00 on separate tickets and hours.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
The Aegean MuseumPass costs €95 for 7 days and lists Ephesus, the Terrace Houses, Priene, Miletus, Didyma and Aphrodisias.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Kuşadası

South Aegean

Ruins, bays and ferries down the coast

Read the guide Izmir and Ephesus

The Aegean city and the ruins of Ephesus

Read the guide Pamukkale

Travertines and Hierapolis, best with a night

Read the guide Çeşme

A castle harbor and windsurf bay to the north

Read the guide All of Türkiye

Regions, entry rules and when to go

Read the guide Türkiye e-Visa

Whether your passport needs one

Read the guide Ephesus

Tickets, hours and where to stay

Read the guide

Kuşadası FAQ

Is Kuşadası worth visiting?

Yes as a base for Ephesus, Priene and Samos, and for its harbor evenings. It is a resort, so pick it for convenience and the coast, not for historic streets.

How far is Kuşadası from Ephesus?

About 20 km, a short drive or dolmuş ride via Selçuk. Allow an hour each way with stops if you travel by dolmuş.

Can you go to Samos from Kuşadası?

Yes, by ferry in the warm season. Carry your passport, buy the return leg with the outward one, and keep the day free of other plans in case the weather cancels sailings.

Is Kuşadası or Selçuk better for Ephesus?

Selçuk is closer to the ruins and quieter at night; Kuşadası has beaches, restaurants and the ferry. Pick Selçuk for ruins and Kuşadası for a mixed trip.

When is the best time to visit Kuşadası?

April, May, September and October for Ephesus and mild sea. July and August are hot, with cruise crowds midmorning at the ruins.