Situated 17km/10.5mi south of Ephesus on the wide Gulf of Kusadasi, facing the Greek island of Samos (Turkish Sisam; ferry service), Kusadasi (pop. 22,000) is one of the oldest and most popular holiday centers in Turkey. Long sandy beaches (modern holiday villages), the well-equipped "Turban Marina" with 600 berths, and the old harbor (port of
call for cruise ships and regular shipping lines) are among the many attractions of this leading resort.
The present town was founded in the 13th century by merchants from Genoa and Venice. Since the harbor of nearby Ephesus had silted up, the new port was named Scala Nova (in Greek, Neo Ephesos). In the Ottoman period the name of the town was changed to Kusadasi (Bird Island).
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