Adrenaline seekers will love Adaland’s fast-paced loop slides, beginning with a near-vertical descent after the floor disappears from below your feet, and the “slide and fly” ejector slides that spit out riders in the takeoff position. Parents also value gentle rides, such as the 1,332-foot (402-meter) Amazon Family Slide, while the kiddies pool boasts mini slides, a pirate ship, a mushroom shower, and more. There’s food and drink on site, plus ample sunbeds and umbrellas.
Adaland Aquapark sits in southern Kusadasi, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) south of the cruise port and a 15-mile (24-kilometer) drive from the archeological site of Ephesus. Most travelers will find it easier to book a tour with transfers than to self-drive or connect dolmus (shared taxi) routes.
The park is open from mid-morning until early evening during the summer season only (roughly mid-May to mid-September). Lines tend to be shorter earlier in the day but be aware that some rides may be shut outside peak season.
As befits one of Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) favorite beach resorts, Kusadasi has a wealth of water parks. Tortuga Water Park is themed as a pirate island, with a hilarious over-water “Wipeout” obstacle course; Aqua Atlantis has swimming pools and a few smaller slides; Aqua Fantasy Aquapark, near Selcuk, is one of Turkey’s largest water parks, with more than 30 slides to choose from.