Mar 15, 2024 - Kusadasi, Turkey

At the Kusadasi port, the most popular thing to do is visiting Ancient City of Ephesus.  Since we had been there twice already, therefore we planned to do a self walking tour to see Kusadasi Castle, Sevda Tepesi, and Grand Bazaar (for shopping).

Kusadasi Castle is Kusadasi’s most popular attractions. It’s unofficial name is the “Pirate Castle” for being originally constructed to protect Kusadasi’s harbor from piratical and other sea attacks. Now home to a handful of maritime exhibits, the castle draws sightseers who come to explore its battlements and gardens, discover its history, and absorb its panoramas over Kusadasi bay. It is on Pigeon Island and it was added to the list of UNESCO Tentative World Heritage Site in 2020.

It is about 1.1km from cruise terminal.  The walking was on a walkway by the Kusadasi Bay and the weather was wonderful on that day.  It was the most relaxing walk with beautiful scenery we had on this whole trip.  We walked over the causeway and explore this castle freely for a couple of hours.

On the walkway to Kusadasi Castle

Kusadasi Castle Entrance

On top of Kasadasi Castle's wall

On top of Kusadasi Castle wall with Yilanci Burnu as backdrop

Light tower in Kusadasi Castle

Palm shaded Kusadasi Castle 

Then, we walked back to the cruise terminal for some of us who had enough of walking.  The remaining ones continue to walk uphill to Sevda Tepesi which is a hilltop Scenic Spot for overlooking the whole Kusadasi and it’s port.  We had the best view of Kusadasi from this spot.

View of Kusadasi Castle from the top of Sevda Tepesi

View of Sun Princess on the tope of Sevda Tepesi

Above is a short clip of Kusadasi and it's port.

As a matter of fact, when we get off the ship, the first spot we saw is the Sevda Tepesi from opposite direction.

View of Sevda Tepesi from cruise port

Then, we went to Grand Bazaar and did some shopping of leather goods with pretty good results.  It was a relaxing, exciting day with good shopping.