Istanbul & Bursa 7-Day Program
A week that combines Istanbul's magic with Bursa's calm: the Old City and the Bosphorus, then two nights in Bursa with the Uludağ cable car and the first Ottoman mosques.
PriceDepends on the season — request your quote
Destination guide • Bursa
Bursa tourism: day trips and programs with overnight stays
Tourism in Bursa combines Mount Uludağ and its famous cable car with silk markets and the first Ottoman mosques, close enough to Istanbul for a day trip or a short stay.
Why Bursa?
Bursa at a glance
Bursa is one of Turkey's largest cities and was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Turks call it "Green Bursa" for its many gardens and forests. It lies south of the Sea of Marmara at the foot of Mount Uludağ, about 150 km from Istanbul, and you can reach it by car over the Osmangazi Bridge or by ferry across the sea. The city combines historic Ottoman neighborhoods with modern districts that have shopping centers and spacious parks, so it suits lovers of history and shopping alike. Since Ottoman times it has also been known for silk, textiles and cotton towels, and for markets full of fruit and local sweets that visitors take home as gifts.
In the old city you will find the Grand Mosque with its twenty domes, the Green Mosque and its tomb covered in turquoise tiles, and Koza Han, the historic silk market, surrounded by covered bazaars selling towels, fabrics and candied chestnuts. UNESCO has inscribed Bursa and Cumalıkızık village on the World Heritage List as witnesses to the birth of the Ottoman state. The sights are close together, so it is pleasant to walk between them, stopping to taste sweets and buy gifts.
Mount Uludağ is the star of the trip: a long cable car that rises above pine forests, grill restaurants at the top, snow and a ski resort in winter, and green pastures and a cool breeze in summer. No visit is complete without tea under the historic plane tree at İnkaya and a taste of İskender kebab, which was born in Bursa. In winter, Uludağ is the top snow destination for people in Istanbul and for visitors, so book early for the holidays.
Bursa works well as a day trip from Istanbul, but a night or two there gives you time for Uludağ and the old city without rushing. We include it in the 7-day Istanbul and Bursa program, and in winter in the winter Istanbul and Uludağ program, with an English-speaking driver who stays with you all day. You can also combine it with Sapanca in the 8-day Istanbul, Sapanca and Bursa program, without returning to Istanbul between the two stops.
- Best time to visit
- April to October for the city and nature, December to March for the snow on Uludağ
- Suggested duration
- A day trip from Istanbul, or one to two nights
- Nearest airport
- Istanbul's two airports (IST and SAW) are the most commonly used; Bursa's Yenişehir Airport (YEI) has limited flights
- Distance from Istanbul
- About 150 km, roughly two to three hours depending on the road
Top sights
The best sights in Bursa
A carefully chosen list of what is worth your time in Bursa, with the visits smartly arranged in our programs.
Uludağ Cable Car
One of the longest cable car lines in the world, about 9 km long, rising from the city to the hotel area on Uludağ through intermediate stations, with wide views over the forests and the city.
Mount Uludağ
The highest mountain in the Marmara region, at over 2500 meters, and home to one of Turkey's best-known ski resorts. Summer brings walks, pastures and grill restaurants; winter brings snow and skiing.
The Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami)
An architectural masterpiece from the late 14th century topped by twenty domes, with a fountain inside, light under the central dome and beautiful calligraphy panels.
The Green Mosque and Green Tomb
One of the finest examples of early Ottoman architecture, famous for its green and turquoise tiles, facing the tomb of Sultan Mehmed I.
Koza Han and the Silk Market
A 15th-century Ottoman caravanserai that was the center of the silk cocoon trade. Its courtyard now holds silk scarf shops and quiet cafés around a small mosque.
Cumalıkızık Village
An Ottoman village about 700 years old, with stone lanes and colorful houses. It is on the World Heritage List and known for its traditional village breakfast.
The Plane Tree at İnkaya
A huge plane tree believed to be more than 600 years old on the mountainside, where visitors sit in the shade for tea and a rest.
The Tombs of Osman and Orhan at Tophane
In the elevated Tophane park lie Osman Gazi, founder of the Ottoman state, and his son Orhan, with a lovely view of the city and the clock tower.
Çekirge Thermal Baths
Bursa has been famous for its hot springs for centuries, and the Çekirge district has hotels and traditional baths for relaxing after a long day.
Gölyazı Village
A fishing village on a peninsula in Lake Uluabat, known for its sunsets and peaceful boat trips among the birds.
Suuçtu Waterfall
A beautiful waterfall in the forest in the Mustafakemalpaşa district, about an hour and a half from the city, ideal for a summer outing.
Ready-made programs
Tour programs that include Bursa
Day-by-day programs that can be fully adjusted to your number of days and budget.
Istanbul, Sapanca & Bursa 8-Day Program
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.
PriceDepends on the season — request your quote
Istanbul & Uludağ Winter 6-Day Program
A winter getaway combining Istanbul and Uludağ's snow: two nights in hotels at the top of the mountain with skiing and snow play, and a tour of historic Bursa.
PriceDepends on the season — request your quote
Istanbul 5-Day Program
Five balanced days in Istanbul: the Old City, the Bosphorus between two continents, and a day trip to Lake Sapanca and Maşukiye, with a selected hotel and an English-speaking driver.
PriceDepends on the season — request your quote
Day Trips
Tours and day trips from Bursa
- Day trip from Istanbul: an early start by car or ferry, then the Uludağ cable car and lunch at the top, the plane tree, the Grand Mosque and Koza Han, and back in the evening.
- Uludağ in winter: a day in the snow, with ski equipment available to rent and sleds for children. You can stay overnight in a mountain hotel if you want two days of skiing.
- Cumalıkızık and village breakfast: a morning in the Ottoman village among the stone houses and the little market, with a traditional Turkish breakfast in one of its houses.
- Gölyazı and Lake Uluabat: an afternoon trip to watch the sunset in the village, with a boat ride around the peninsula.
- Historic İznik (Nicaea): a lakeside town about an hour and a half away, known for its ancient walls, its famous ceramics and its Hagia Sophia mosque.
Where to stay?
Best areas to stay in Bursa
- City center (Osmangazi): close to the Grand Mosque, the bazaars and the cable car station, suitable if you spend a night or two and want to walk to the sights.
- Çekirge: the hot springs district on the mountainside, with hotels that have thermal baths, and restaurants. Suitable for families and couples looking to relax.
- Uludağ hotels: staying on the mountain itself, for snow and skiing in winter, and for quiet and cool air in summer. Demand rises sharply during the winter holidays.
- Nilüfer and the modern districts: modern hotels and large shopping centers, a comfortable choice if you travel by car and prefer quiet.
We can also arrange airport pickup and a private English-speaking driver for you.
OYA tips
Tips before traveling to Bursa
- The road over the Osmangazi Bridge is often faster, and there are car and passenger ferries across the Sea of Marmara. We choose the best option for you depending on the day of the trip and traffic.
- The cable car runs on most days of the year, but it can stop temporarily because of strong wind or routine maintenance, so we check its status before setting out.
- The weather on the summit of Uludağ is much colder than in the city even in summer, so bring a jacket, and in winter snow clothing and waterproof shoes.
- Try İskender kebab in its home city. Candied chestnuts are Bursa's best-known gift, and the local restaurants serve halal meat, as is usual in Turkey.
- Uludağ gets crowded with local visitors on weekends, so choose weekdays if you can, especially in snow season.
Design your trip
Plan your trip to Bursa
Fill in the form and you will receive a suggested itinerary on WhatsApp, with hotel and transport options.
- Airport pickup and an English-speaking driver
- Selected hotels for families and couples
- A flexible itinerary adjusted to your wishes
- Follow-up on WhatsApp throughout your trip
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions about Bursa tourism
How far is Bursa from Istanbul, and how do I get there?
About 150 km. The easiest way is by car over the Osmangazi Bridge, in roughly two to three hours depending on traffic, or by ferry across the Sea of Marmara and then by car. We arrange a private car with an English-speaking driver from your hotel door.
Is one day enough to visit Bursa?
Yes, for the essentials: the cable car, Uludağ, the Grand Mosque and the bazaar. But if you want Cumalıkızık and Gölyazı, or a relaxed ski trip, we recommend one or two nights.
When is there snow and skiing on Mount Uludağ?
The ski season usually runs from about December to March and depends on how much snow falls each year. January and February are often the best months. See the winter Istanbul and Uludağ program.
What are the top sights in Bursa?
The Uludağ cable car and the mountain, the Grand Mosque, the Green Mosque, Koza Han, Cumalıkızık village, the plane tree at İnkaya, the tombs of Osman and Orhan, and Gölyazı village.
Does the Uludağ cable car run all year?
It runs on most days of the year, but it can stop temporarily because of wind or maintenance. We check its status the day before your trip, and if it is closed we drive up the mountain road whenever it is open.
Is Bursa suitable for families and children?
Very much. Children love the cable car, the snow and the forest walks, the city is calm and relatively conservative, and there are plenty of family restaurants.
What should I buy in Bursa?
The towels and cotton fabrics the city is famous for, silk scarves from Koza Han, candied chestnuts, Turkish delight and honey.
From the OYA guide
Read before you travel
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