Aegean ports welcomed 504,000 cruise passengers in first half of year

Of the 756,455 passengers arriving in Türkiye by cruise ship, 67% chose Aegean ports. Kuşadası was the busiest port with 334,000 passengers.

Scraper SystemJuly 18, 2026, 09:15 PM

Aegean ports welcomed 504,000 cruise passengers in first half of year

According to data from the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, a total of 756,455 passengers entered Turkish ports by cruise ship in the January-June period of 2024. Of these, 504,711 used ports on the Aegean coast.

The share of Aegean ports in total passenger traffic was approximately 67%. The region continued to be the most preferred destination for cruise companies, with its historical and cultural heritage, developed port infrastructure, and strategic location on Mediterranean routes.

Kuşadası was Türkiye's busiest cruise port with 334,172 passengers, while Istanbul ranked second with 182,621 passengers. İzmir Alsancak Port welcomed 59,049, Marmaris 54,691, Bodrum 41,545, and Çeşme 15,254 passengers.

Selectum Blue Cruise General Manager Nilda Tori told AA that the vast majority of ships coming to Türkiye prefer the Aegean region. Emphasizing that Kuşadası has been the most popular stop for years, Tori said, 'Kuşadası attracts many tourists because it is home to the Ancient City of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary.'