Advertisement
Kusadasi Castle

Kusadasi Castle

Kusadasi Castle
4
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Kusadasi Castle

See what travelers are saying

  • Marvin G
    Ogdensburg, New York1,674 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Local castle now provides a free park setting for relaxation and photo ops.
    We disembarked our gulet and took a van overland to Kusadasi where we visited the Castle before settling into our hotel. The castle is situated on an island in the bay and is accessed by a marina causeway. The castle has been renovated and now contains a wonderful parklike area that is very relaxing. There are multiple levels which provide an excellent opportunity for photographs of the area.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 25, 2023
  • Atis B
    Kharagpur, India1,175 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A nice place to hangout in Kusadasi.
    We came here in the morning. So only few tourists were there. There is no entree fee. Any one can roam around here. Not so many things are there to see, but for one hour it’s nice. Any one can take good pictures of the island as well as the sea & harbor outside. There was a hotel here now abandoned. Over all it’s a must see place in the city of Kusadasi.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written January 8, 2024
  • KusadasiTurkey.com
    Kusadasi, Türkiye11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Kusadasi Castle: Timeless Views
    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.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written February 12, 2024
  • tania p
    439 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fab views and a calm walk around in shade
    This was such a lovely little place to walk around. The views are lovely, there is shade and alot of history around. My friends had a buggy and left it at the bottom of the entrance as it has steps so not easily accessible for buggies or wheelchairs. It is free to go on and it's little gardens and paths walking around so lots of shade for those hot days. The views are lovely out to Kusadasi and the bay. You don't need a long time here to get around but if you want to sit and take in the views then definitely worth it! Great little place for our last morning in Kusadasi.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 10, 2024
  • David S
    Middlesbrough, United Kingdom2,398 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    PLEASANT STROLL
    A short relaxing stroll from the cruise terminal. Walking around the site is free and allows you to take in some amazing surrounding scenery. Not a massive amount to see but still a pleasant experience.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 3, 2024
  • Dawn Elisabeth A
    The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom156 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It's free, what's not to like. Lovely little stroll
    I was surprised this was free, so few things are these days. Admittedly, it's a very quick stroll around, with some interesting info boards at the beginning and some great views. We enjoyed walking it at night, would probably be great at sunset. There are some free toilets at the back of the cafe near the entrance.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 1, 2024
  • Darren L
    Quedgeley, United Kingdom116 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Peaceful relaxing walk
    Really peaceful and relaxing spot. We attended around lunchtime (12 o'clock). The site is free to walk around and we'll maintained. Great photo shots on all sides. Floor can be a little slippery in the heat. The keep want open on our visit so not sure if it does open.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 8, 2024
  • Neil R
    Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom76 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Castle visit
    Worth a visit but not a lot to see. It was quiet when we visited, just a few people scattered around the site so got around within about 10 minutes. There is information boards around the castle to read and the views are great. Be careful of the step as they are steep in places, damaged and slippy with the heat. There’s a small cafe on the walk way which was reasonably priced and provided a nice place to sit with a cold drink.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written September 2, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles787 reviews
Excellent
353
Very good
271
Average
123
Poor
29
Terrible
11

BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia20,006 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020
The Kusadasi castle is a symbol of this Aegean Turkish resort town. It's set on Pigeon island (which is btw not an island anymore, as it was connected to the mainland some 40y ago), and is visible from all over the area.
The inner castle (the middle square cube) was built in 16c, while the surrounding fortifications were added later. Today they look very new and well preserved but that's due to renovation works.
The castle is free to enter and its only, yet striking attraction is a whale skeleton displayed on ground floor, which was found stranded at Kusadasi shores.
I remember my previous visit 8 y ago, we were able to climb the upper floor where's a small museum. However, this time it was closed, probably due to Covid.
Nevertheless, the castle offers magnificent views on the whole town.
Bonus TIPS: there are two nice beaches around the castle. One is right beneath it, to the right from the entrance offering swimming with great city views, the other's at the beginning of the causeway offering swimming with castle views.
Written October 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Viki2710
Eccles, UK327 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Family
Recovering from surgery and this place was within walking distance with plenty of fish restaurants close by. It's a lovely place and on the other side there is a cafe and a sea swimming area with sun loungers and so you can really make a day of it. We did a morning stroll around the castle, my son had a dip in the sea ( I was unable) then there are plenty of 1 hour boat trips that are 15 lira yes £1.50 so plenty to do around the castle if you easily bored or the kids are.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vadim
Murmansk, Russia34,986 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
As it was in many coastal cities of the Mediterranean and Black seas, the first fortress on Bird island was built by the Genoese in the XIII century. The Genoese tower remained in the center of the fortress. After the conquest of the coast by the Ottoman Turks in the XV century, the island was renamed Pigeon island, and the fortress was renamed Guverjinada (Pigeon island in Turkish). The current castle was built by the Ottoman architect Ilyas Agha, and the construction was supervised by the Ottoman Admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa - a famous pirate who terrorized the coastal Mediterranean cities in the XVI century. The fortress became his base. You can get acquainted with the lair of Barbarossa for free. Walking distance from the center of 7 minutes. Guverjinada is no longer an island, but a Peninsula, connected to the shore by a 300-meter embankment to which the yachts are moored. The fortress itself inside is a well-kept Park with beautiful paths, benches, running rabbits and small guns, so that tourists do not forget that they are still in the fortress. A whale skeleton found in 2014 is on display in the Central tower. Another reason for visiting is due to the fact that the clever Turks included the fortress in the object "Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes", included in the list of candidates for UNESCO world heritage. Many candidates have been there for decades, but as a multiple object, it might be lucky...
Written June 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ПАВЛО Г
Cherkasy, Ukraine6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
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.
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LymeRegisfans
Manchester, UK232 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
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.
Written May 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eileen108
Mount Shasta, CA5,618 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
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!
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stewart C
Chatham, UK1,106 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
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.
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Neil R
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK76 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
Worth a visit but not a lot to see.

It was quiet when we visited, just a few people scattered around the site so got around within about 10 minutes.
There is information boards around the castle to read and the views are great.

Be careful of the step as they are steep in places, damaged and slippy with the heat.

There’s a small cafe on the walk way which was reasonably priced and provided a nice place to sit with a cold drink.
Written September 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KusadasiTurkey.com
Kusadasi, Türkiye11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
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.
Written February 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Giuseppe Cincindella
Rosyth, UK2,122 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
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
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 384
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Kusadasi Castle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

All Kusadasi HotelsKusadasi Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Kusadasi
All things to do in Kusadasi
Day Trips in KusadasiAmusement Parks in Kusadasi
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars