Kusadasi Castle

Very clean park in the fortress and the fortress rebuilding is of the good quality. You can see interesting mini museum with ancient ships inside. Breathtaking view from the fortress walls. If you have snacks and water with you you can easily spend couple hours enjoying this beautiful historical quiet place. The entrance is free and the public toilets from the right side in front the entrance costs 1 TL.

An island that in the 1960s was connected to the mainland (Kusadasi) by a causeway where local boat moor offering hourly or daily boat trips. You walk up the steps and through the arch into a beautiful scenic place. Everything is perfect. All the paths, walls and seating areas with many written and photographic boards with lots of relevant information about plants, flowers and history. In the centre is a stone building which unfortunately was not open on the day we visited. It is an easy walk around with lots of photo opportunities and views over the sea and shoreline. You can easily see the cruises docked in Kusadasi. A very pleasant way to spend a few hours. Easy to walk but not suitable for wheelchairs as lots of different levels and some steps which could be difficult for some people to negotiate. We wore covered shoes and able to climb the narrow staircases to access the higher level and spectacular views. It’s free and definitely worth a visit. On the plus side we did a one hour cruise around the bay for 50 Turkish lira each (24 to pound). Also arranged to return another day for a day trip with lunch for 300 Turkish lira each.

I went on a Thursday about 6 pm but it was already closed, but I could peek in to see some displays inside. The area around the castle is a lovely place to walk around, with gardens and signboards about various flowers and trees. It is very windy and cold up there though!

We visited Kusadasi Castle during a one day stopover in the port from a cruise ship on a Tuesday in June. We had decided to explore the port by ourselves and the castle was a short walk from where our cruise ship was berthed.
We noticed the castle as we were walking around the eastern side of the harbour and returned to view it passing the ship once more. The castle is a 14th century construction built by the Ottoman Turks, it is reached via a causeway with what looked like a nice restaurant at the castle end. On the day of our visit, entrance to the castle was via set of steps and was free. Once inside, the former fortress has been set up as a park with palm trees and plants filling the area between the keep and the surrounding walls.
Visitors may gain some fine views across to the town and the cruise terminal from the raised decking area and also, from the accessible area of the castle walls. A walk around the grounds reveals a lighthouse and the sounds of birds and insects in the trees. We were told that the central Keep building houses a museum but this was not open of the day of our visit.
Thoroughly enjoyed the walk around here and would recommend it to others visiting the port.

My 2024 trip to Kusadasi was truly memorable, thanks in large part to visiting the Kusadasi Castle.

Located on Pigeon Island, this historic site combines a glimpse into the area's fascinating history with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. As I walked among the ancient ruins, I was struck by the strategic significance and vibrant history that the castle walls have witnessed over the centuries.

The pathways around the castle are well-maintained, with plenty of signs providing valuable information about the site’s past. The surrounding gardens offer a peaceful retreat, ideal for a quiet walk or simply enjoying the scenery. Easily reached by a scenic causeway and with no admission fee, Kusadasi Castle is a definite must-see for visitors.

It’s not just for history enthusiasts; the beauty of the location makes it a perfect spot for anyone. Make sure to have your phone charged and ready, especially at sunset, for some truly spectacular photo opportunities.

Our cruise stopped in Kusadasi and we walked the promenade until we arrived at the castle. Slightly away from the city centre, lovely and peaceful place, part of the history of this place. The fortress is on the beautiful sea, lovely view, ideal for pictures. The entrance is free and it's a lovely walk around the walls. There's no very much inside but it deserves the visit also to escape from the intrusive atmosphere of the city centre and the shops. Lovely

Recommend a visit. Short walk from the central areas with no access charges, well kept gardens and building with a great vista and views over the bay. Cafe on site along with a number of boat trips from the causeway.

A nice hike, great views and a newly restored building originally bult by Barbarossa, Now it is full of trees and in the center of town. More like a park. My daughter loved it. I did not think it was that great, but it's free, easy to reach, pleasant to view and full of history.

Our cruise ship docked in Kusadsi and having visited Ephesus on a previous visit decided to explore the local area. The castle has been renovated over the last few years and is a pleasant place for a walk. The interior is basically a garden with pathways running through it. I wouldn't call the views stunning but we did enjoy our wander around. There are a few signs regarding some of the planting and there is a central tower which was closed when we visited.

I got back from my day tour and wanted a quiet walk. It is free and not crowded. Very peaceful with great views of the harbor. It is not that big so it doesn’t take much time, but you can sit, relax, and enjoy the view.