Only 10km from the busy Aegean resort of Kusadasi, lying in a fertile bowl valley beneath the pine forests of the National Park is Kirazli Koyu (Cherry Village).

Surrounded by flowering fields of cherry trees, figs, vines and olives the village is a traditional Turkish Koy of narrow twisting streets, stone and whitewashed houses and terracotta roofs.

Cooled by fragrant pine scented breezes Kirazli is a a world away from the hot and bustling tourist centers of the coastal strip.

Until recently Kirazli was a well kept secret but the fantastic traditional restaurants, clean air, beautiful scenery and hiking trails mean the village is now blossoming as a base from which independent travellers can explore the treasures of the area - breath taking Ephesus, the Cave of Zeus and the diverse and fascinating natural bounty of the National Millipark and the clean coves and beaches of the Aegean coast.

With only around 600 inhabitants Kirazli is a close knit, endlessly fascinating community.

Family ties are strong throughout the village and everyone works together to bring in the various harvests and stage the festivals that occur throughout the year.

The few European's who have chosen to move permanently to this lovely valley have been welcomed and integrated into the village and are valued as contributors to the community as a whole.

Kirazli has a modern and forward thinking village council led by Muhtar Huseyin Bey, and they are sensible and open in welcoming new blood into the community.
They also work hard to improve the village as a whole and to promote development in the valley in a sensitive way. As a result, in the last year the village has been chosen as the location for two small and special boutique hotels, the project to pave all the village streets is nearly finished and this year the first annual Cherry Festival was a roaring success with crowds thronging the streets for three days in June.

The traditional values of welcoming guests are upheld without exception and generous villagers regularly share the bounty of their cottage gardens with visitors and it is common to find small, shy children on your doorstep of an evening having been sent around with bags of grapes, plums and cherries.

What Kirazli has is shares with everyone. The natural beauty, the friendship of its inhabitants and the slow, steady pace of it's lifestyle.

Kirazli is quickly becoming a byword throughout the vicinity as a lovely natural retreat for peace and relaxation.

We invite you to explore and experience this community and all it represents.