Ephesus Travel Forum

Hi - we'll be coming into Ephesus/Kusadasi (by cruise) for about 9 hours in May. We'd like to explore on our own. Can anyone suggest what we should do/see? How is the best way to get around? Do we need a guide? Also, any specialty food/drink we should try? What should we shop for? Thanks for your help!

Ephesus is really known as Selcuk, there are fmous ruins of Ephesus, that shoud chew through 3 - 4 hours, the museum in Selcuk is also worth a visit. There a plenty of carpets for sale, lk being the most expensive but very nice. There also the rions of St Peter or John, cant remember.

I went to Kusadasi with my father for the first time this summer. I am a Canadian living in Turkey. I was simply horrified by the city. It's a complete tourist-trap. Nothing turkish there! The prices are outrageous (a kebab that you pay 5 YLT in Istanbul is sold 25 YTL in Kusadasi). Don't even think about buying anything if you don't want to be robbed. Stay away from carpet salers!

You should use your time to go see Ephesus. You will need a transportation; hire a taxi for the day, or rent a car if you like to drive.

You don't need a guide. If you want one at Ephesus, you can hire him on the spot.

After seeing Ephesus, you should explore Selcuk, the little village where the site of Ephesus is located. It's a charming place, and there you will have a real taste of Turkey. You can also eat there. The food will be more authentic and less expensive than in Kusadasi. If you want to do some shoppping, it's also a decent place to do it.

If you absolutely want to bring back a carpet, you may find better prices in Selcuk. But if you intend to do this, take a lots of informations before.

If you decide to eat in Kusadasi, there is a nice street about 20 minutes walk from the port where you will find numerous turkish restaurants very authentic and very cheap. It's near the Municipal Hall, in the opposite direction of the port. You will see on you way a store name Tugas; it's the place to buy delicious loukoums.

u could visit apollos temple nr altinkum or the temple of ephesus by local dolmus very cheaply local meze is nice altinkum as is the fresh fish in most restaurants the house of the virgin mary is not too far a trek

I would suggest if you want to get the most of your time then do a tour of Epheses and as other posts say i wouldnt spend too much time in Kusadasi itself as it really is a bit expensive and not pretty easy to get sick of the place. The tour we did was through a company called Sammys travel and they picked us up from the port and took us to Ephesus and a few other sites. Transport was clean and tidy and the guide was very funny and knowledgeable. We only did a half day tour which is why I spent some time in Kusadasi in the afternoon. if I was to do it again i would have done one of their full day tours, seen more of the historical places and finished back at the port ready to depart with maybe just an hour or so to get a drink in Kusadasi.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

Hi Donna

Okay, I've arrived at Kusadasi by Princess Cruise ship several times.
Where to go: Ephesus ---and get there early, so that you are the first through the gates! It will be a quality visit that way! Take lots of water too. Be the first passengers off the ship!Oh, yes, do hire a guide for Ephesus.
Local shopping: do not buy a rug etc. Even in the 'official' shops they are a rip off. See my warning on the Kus. site.
Do buy the CDs ---okay, they may not be legal ---but they are cheap. The DJ on your ship will know where the main store is. I remember that I had to go into the shop, I explained that the DJ on the ship had recommended the shop and before I knew it I was enjoying a tea and being taken to a storage area in a back street. Inside it was full of CDs and crew members! So, if the crew think it's good...
Eating? Well the last time I was there the guide recommended (and also ate in) a large white-ish place fairly close to the harbour terminal.

Have fun!

I can't wait until my next visit...2010 or 2011 I think.

Kind regards

Stephen crazyman2

Hi Donna

Okay, I've arrived at Kusadasi by Princess Cruise ship several times.
Where to go: Ephesus ---and get there early, so that you are the first through the gates! It will be a quality visit that way! Take lots of water too. Be the first passengers off the ship!Oh, yes, do hire a guide for Ephesus.
Local shopping: do not buy a rug etc. Even in the 'official' shops they are a rip off. See my warning on the Kus. site.
Do buy the CDs ---okay, they may not be legal ---but they are cheap. The DJ on your ship will know where the main store is. I remember that I had to go into the shop, I explained that the DJ on the ship had recommended the shop and before I knew it I was enjoying a tea and being taken to a storage area in a back street. Inside it was full of CDs and crew members! So, if the crew think it's good...
Eating? Well the last time I was there the guide recommended (and also ate in) a large white-ish place fairly close to the harbour terminal.

Have fun!

I can't wait until my next visit...2010 or 2011 I think.

Kind regards

Stephen crazyman2