Move Over Antalya! Little-Known Paradise With Ancient Ruins Is The Mediterranean’s Biggest Surprise

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Is Greece olds news? Hardly. But the Turkish Riviera has been on a tear in recent years largely due to the explosive popularity of Antalya.

What was formerly a cheap beach getaway as an alternative to pricier Mediterranean gems (ahem, Santorini…) is now in the same category given its newfound fame.

Don’t get us wrong — Antalya is still a gorgeous vacation spot, but you gotta double check your bank account after each expense nowadays.

How about a more affordable Turkish hideaway on the same stretch of pristine Aegean coastline instead?

Better yet, it boasts ancient ruins and spacious shores far overlooked by travelers magnetized by neighboring Greek islands and crowd-heavy Antalya.

Find A Peaceful Paradise On Sun-Drenched Shores

Winter sun is hard to come by in the States, which is why the term “winter sun” becomes a seasonal obsession the next few months.

While it’s easy to hop on a flight to Cancun, more and more travelers are determined to peel back the curtain on the lesser known.

And that’s where places like Kusadasi fit the bill.

Kusadasi is located on northern edge of the Turkish Riviera, yet so close to Greek islands you can see Samos in the distance.

While locals flock to Kusadasi during summer, wintertime is considered the off-season, which provides more space to sprawl on vibrant shores of crystal-clear water and colorful waterfront promenades .

Seeing mild temps hovering in the 60s (with occasional rainy days), there’s still plenty to do and enjoy if your Lady Luck isn’t on your side for a picture-perfect beach day.

Though, most often you’ll find an array of sun-kissed shores to kick back, relax, and take in a delightful culture that continues to embrace becoming a tourism powerhouse from hidden gems like Kusadasi to world-renowned Istanbul.

According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 3 beaches to scope out on a trip to Kusadasi this winter:

1. Ladies Beach (lined with pubs and seaside eats)
2. Uzan Plaj (a go-to swimming spot with clear turquoise waters)
3. Downtown Beach (easy access to the city center and unmatched views of Pigeon Island)

Timeless Marvels Are Kusadasi’s Biggest Surprise

We may all love the latest gizmos and gadgets, but there’s nothing comparable to visiting ancient wonders.

For example, nothing lives up to Athens’ ancient city perch, but Kusadasi’s UNESCO-protected ruins aren’t a bad alternative for travelers like us here at Travel Off Path who prefer to bypass lines of tourists in favor of under-hyped discoveries

Here in Kusadasi, you’ll find a pair of must-visit sites etched in time with virtually no crowds in winter:

Let’s start with the latter — Pigeon Island is truly unmissable, even if you don’t step foot on the island.

It serves as not only an alluring backdrop from various beaches, but is also a top attraction.

Originally built during the Byzantine era, this immaculate fortress ultimately served as a defense against pirates on the hunt for booty — kinda like me in college.

Nowadays, Pigeon Island is free to enter and offers visitors some of the best views of both the cityscape and open sea.

Ephesus, on the other hand, is one of Turkiye’s most wondrous ancient cities — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that once rivaled Rome’s grandeur.

Set an easy Uber ride away outside the city limits, Ephesus is a breeze to reach. You’ll find the site to be impressively preserved, offering one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the world.

Just know getting an Uber back is questionable, so bring cash for a taxi or mini-bus for the ride to your hotel.

How Affordable Is Kusadasi?

Even though we’ve hyped Kusadasi as a great Antalya alternative, do yourself a favor and fly into nearby Izmir instead, or aforementioned Samos and hop aboard the ferry for about $40 one-way.

Once you’re here, you’ll find Kusadasi’s prices to be very reasonable no matter if its booking a luxe resort or savoring the little things in life like a glass of local wine and highly underrated Turkish pizza.

If you’re vacationing in Kusadasi this winter, you couldn’t have chose a better time to treat yourself.

For sample size, Charisma De Luxe Hotel is a 5-star stay with stunning Aegean views from your bedroom with rates as low as $89 per night this December.

With free attractions we’ve mentioned, cheap public transit and Uber to get around, plus only needing $23 max for daily epic meals, Kusadasi is one of the Med’s best value destinations this winter.