8 days • 7 nights • Turkey
Three destinations in one trip: Istanbul's landmarks, then two nights between Lake Sapanca and the forests of Maşukiye, and a night in Bursa with Mount Uludağ.
The Istanbul, Sapanca and Bursa 8-Day Tour is the right choice if you want the city and nature together in one trip. You begin with three nights in Istanbul for the old city and the Bosphorus, then two nights in a bungalow or chalet near Lake Sapanca among the forests, then one night in Bursa to go up Mount Uludağ, before returning to Istanbul for a last night.
We designed the route as a loop so you do not go back the same way: from Istanbul east to Sapanca in about two hours, then to Bursa in two to two and a half hours, and from there to Istanbul over the Osmangazi Bridge. In Sapanca we choose a bungalow with a Jacuzzi or a villa with a private pool for you, depending on the season and budget, which makes the program popular with families and honeymooners. All transfers are by private car with an English-speaking driver, from the airport pickup to the farewell at the end of the trip.
Your driver meets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and takes you to the hotel. After a rest, we suggest a light evening outing around Taksim Square and İstiklal Avenue or in the Galata area. We hand you a SIM card and go over the program with you.
A full day on the historic peninsula: the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome square and Hagia Sophia, then the Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace. In the afternoon we visit the Grand Bazaar with its covered lanes, then the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü. We finish with a short walk on the Galata Bridge at sunset.
We start with Dolmabahçe Palace, then Ortaköy and Bebek on the European shore, and take a Bosphorus boat cruise of about an hour and a half. After that we cross to Üsküdar on the Asian side to see Maiden's Tower from the shore, then go up to the Çamlıca Mosque and Hill to see the city at sunset. You can end the day with an optional seafood dinner.
After breakfast and check-out, we head east toward Sapanca, about two hours away. We stop in the village of Maşukiye on the slopes of Mount Kartepe, with its waterfalls, streams and restaurants among the trees, and ride the Kartepe cable car for views of the forests and the lake from above. In the afternoon we reach the bungalow in Sapanca, and the evening is yours for relaxing, a barbecue or the Jacuzzi.
A calm morning on the shores of Lake Sapanca, with a walk along the promenade and a boat ride. In the afternoon you can try the optional activities: ATV rides in the forest, zip-lining or horseback riding. For those with children, we suggest a visit to Ormanya Wildlife Park in Kocaeli, about 45 minutes away, and then back to the bungalow.
We head to Bursa, a drive of two to two and a half hours along the Gulf of İzmit. We visit the Grand Mosque, the Silk Bazaar at Koza Han and the Covered Bazaar, then the Green Mosque and the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi. After check-in, you can try the hot-spring baths in the Çekirge district in the evening, and taste the İskender kebab that Bursa is famous for.
In the morning we ride the Uludağ cable car up to the heights to enjoy the snow in winter, or the meadows and fresh air in summer. On the way down we have tea under the ancient plane tree in Inkaya, then head to Istanbul, about two and a half hours over the Osmangazi Bridge. You reach the hotel in the evening, with time for dinner and a walk.
Depending on your flight time, you can shop in the morning at one of the big malls or buy gifts at the markets near the hotel. Your driver picks you up at the agreed time and takes you to the airport about three hours before departure. We wish you a safe journey home.
| City | Nights | Suggested |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | 4 | 4-star hotel in Taksim, Şişli or Sultanahmet (3 nights at the start and 1 night before departure). |
| Sapanca | 2 | A wooden bungalow with a Jacuzzi, a villa with a private pool, or a hotel overlooking the lake, depending on the season and the size of your family. |
| Bursa | 1 | 4-star hotel in central Bursa, or a hotel with hot baths in the Çekirge district. |
Book this program
Add your arrival date, the number of travelers and the hotel level, and you will receive a written offer with the final price via WhatsApp.
Questions & answers
Sapanca is about 140 kilometers from central Istanbul, roughly two hours by car depending on traffic, and it is closer to Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side.
Sapanca (also spelled Sabanca or Sapancha) is a town on a large lake, known for its bungalows and villas. Maşukiye is a nearby mountain village on the slopes of Kartepe, known for its waterfalls and restaurants among the trees. On this program you visit both.
We offer several options: bungalows with an indoor Jacuzzi, villas with a private pool, or hotels on the lake. We confirm the details and photos of the unit with you before you confirm the booking.
Yes. The distances between cities are moderate (about two hours), and there are activities for children such as the boat, the wildlife park and snow on Uludağ in winter. We choose a car that suits the size of your family.
From the OYA guide
A balanced 10-day family itinerary in Turkey that combines city, nature and snow or lakes, with ideas for children's activities and practical tips on accommodation and getting around with little ones.
Instead of generic numbers that don't fit your trip, we explain the components of travel costs in Turkey and what raises and lowers them, with a simple way to calculate a one-week budget and practical saving tips.
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Personal service from start to finish
We design a custom program for you, with the number of days, cities and hotels you want — just tell us.
