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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.

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You don’t have to decide between Greece’s 6000 islands for gleaming whitewashed buildings, sinfully delicious seafood, and pristine beaches.

Heck, I’m happy attending San Diego’s Greek Festival every year, where I shamelessly close my eyes, stuff my face with gyros and galaktoboureko, and pretend I’m in Athens for the day.

As you’re surely aware, Greece has been surging in popularity for years with no signs of slowing down.

Even Santorini’s recent earthquake scares will likely be a distant memory this summer, as Greece’s most iconic island will undoubtedly be at maximum capacity when travelers use their vacation days the most.

To avoid said crowds, you don’t have to visit my favorite festival or even travel to an alternative Greek island for that matter.

Neighboring Turkiye is home to a secret paradise that’s a spitting image of Greece, and nobody ever talks about it.

The gatekeepers are typically Turkish and Greek vacationers who stay tightlipped about the Med’s best-kept secret for their own benefit, but it’s time to unveil the tiny yet mighty Bozcaada to the world.

Greek Vibes, No Crowds: Bozcaada Is The Ideal Hideaway No One Knows

Formerly known as Tenedos, this blip in the Aegean Sea packs a punch despite only having 500 people call this slice of paradise home.

Given its location, there’s a noticeable mix of Turkish and Greek influence, yet still a far cry from Istanbul or Athens.

This tiny island is the ultimate place to unwind, but also a delight to explore timeless streets to take in sweeping views of the coast and historic structures like Bozcaada Castle.

It’s no Acropolis, but the fact you can visit such an incredible landmark without having to wait in line isn’t a bad second best, right?

While much of Greece will be swarming with tourists, especially in summer, Bozcaada mostly only sees fellow Turks and occasional Greek travelers.

For Greeks, it still feels like home, with whitewashed buildings, stunning Aegean views, and similar meals to those found in Crete, Santorini, or Mykonos.

Stunning Beaches & Cozy Stays: No Curated Resorts In Sight

I’m the first person to snag a good deal at an all-inclusive resort any chance I can get, but I also appreciate authenticity when I travel.

You know, maybe fewer pool foam parties and Zumba classes and more local cuisine and homey rooms…

That’s what you’ll find in Bozcaada. This place doesn’t have to dress to impress. In fact, you could easily say it’s fashionably late to the tourism party as it’s remained unknown to most for this long.

But once you’re here, you’ll be welcomed to stunning shores such as Sulubahçe Beach, where one recent beachgoer in the know claimed, ‘the water was perfect’.

Other visitors, however, prefer neighboring Ayazma Beach, which unlike Sulubahçe, has nearby businesses and restaurants to visit.

For what it’s worth, Ayazma’s claim to fame is breaking a record number of Instagram ‘likes’ for its sheer beauty, so that’s got to speak volumes for what’s in store.

Numerous seaside hotels are available, most of which are near the town of Bozcaada, the biggest town on the island of the same name.

For prime real estate, Pelagos Hotel offers the best location, but comes at the highest price point. On the lower end, you can score vibrant boutique hotels oozing Mediterranean vibes, such as Martı Butik Otel Bozcaada, for about $50 per night.

Wine & Dine In The Mediterranean’s Most Underrated Paradise

Like Greece, and yes parts of Turkiye, Bozcaada makes for an incredible wine retreat. Turkiye isn’t just known for its traditional adult beverage, raki; it’s a great wine destination, too.

Bozaada offers multiple wineries and vineyards to visit as day trips, but perhaps no better than Corvus Vineyards tucked away from all the “action”, set along the sea.

More inland, though, is a secret winery even locals may not know of – the Old Stone Well Vineyard, a boutique winery off-the-beaten path for a truly unique and authentic wine tasting.

As for food, you’ll find mostly what you would find in Greece except for some Turkish twists and delicacies like the island’s famous varieties of marmalades.

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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.