4 to 5 Day Turkey Tours4-Day Istanbul and Bursa Tour
This tour is a 4-day trip that pairs Istanbul with a day in Bursa, the former Ottoman capital. You arrive…
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Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, and its skyline of imperial mosques, royal tombs, and green-tiled monuments earned it the nickname "Yeşil Bursa" (Green Bursa). Cradled at the foot of Uludağ mountain, it pairs UNESCO-listed early-Ottoman heritage with a centuries-old thermal-spa tradition, silk-trading bazaars, and Turkey's best-known winter resort. Its layered history, mountain scenery, and hearty cuisine make it a rewarding escape roughly two to three hours from Istanbul.
The experiences worth building your trip around.
Bursa's monumental early-Ottoman mosque, commissioned by Bayezid I and finished in 1399, is famous for its twenty domes and an unusual indoor ablution fountain (şadırvan) set beneath a skylight dome. Its walls carry some of the finest large-scale calligraphy in Turkey, and it sits in the heart of the old bazaar quarter.
A masterpiece of early Ottoman architecture built for Sultan Mehmed I, the Green Mosque is celebrated for its exquisite turquoise and blue interior tilework and richly carved sultan's loge. It anchors a UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex on the city's eastern hillside.
The octagonal mausoleum of Sultan Mehmed I stands on a rise opposite the Green Mosque, clad in blue-green tiles and sheltering his tiled sarcophagus along with those of his children. Its elevated setting gives a fine outlook over the city rooftops.
A silk-trading caravanserai commissioned by Bayezid II and opened in 1491, Koza Han is still a working bazaar where vendors sell silk, scarves, and textiles around a two-storey courtyard with a small domed masjid. The tea garden beneath its plane trees is a classic spot for a break.
Rising directly above the city, Uludağ is Turkey's flagship ski resort in winter and a national park for hiking and cool escapes in summer. A modern cable car climbs from the Teferrüç station toward the mountain's teahouses and viewpoints, gaining well over a thousand metres of altitude.
This exceptionally preserved early-Ottoman village on Uludağ's lower slopes is part of Bursa's UNESCO listing, with cobbled lanes and colourful timber-and-stone houses. It is best known for its lavish, multi-plate village breakfasts served in courtyards and cafés.
Bursa's mineral hot springs have drawn bathers since Roman and Byzantine times, and the leafy Çekirge district concentrates the historic bathhouses, including the domed Ottoman hamams fed by the Karamustafa and Eski Kaplıca springs. A soak in the mineral-rich water is a quintessential Bursa ritual.
The Tophane hilltop was the original Byzantine-Ottoman citadel and holds the tombs of the empire's founders, Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, rebuilt in ornate 19th-century form. A clock tower and terrace park here open onto sweeping views across the plain and the han district below.
A relaxed, realistic plan you can adapt to your pace.
Begin at the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) to take in its domes, indoor fountain, and calligraphy, then step into the surrounding covered bazaar and the silk caravanserai of Koza Han for tea in the courtyard. Browse the Emir Han and the market alleys, then climb to the Tophane district to see the tombs of Osman and Orhan and catch sunset from the terrace.
Head to the eastern hillside for the Green Mosque and Green Tomb, studying the tilework, and look in on the small museum housed in the complex. In the afternoon move west to the Çekirge district to soak in one of the historic thermal baths and stroll past its Ottoman-era mosques and springs.
Ride the Uludağ cable car from Teferrüç up the mountain for fresh air, hiking trails, and panoramas, or the ski slopes in winter. In the afternoon visit the Ottoman village of Cumalıkızık for a generous village breakfast and a wander through its cobbled lanes and timber houses.
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the most pleasant times to visit, with mild temperatures ideal for exploring the old city and Cumalıkızık. Summers can be warm on the lowland plain, though Uludağ stays noticeably cooler and makes a fine day escape. For skiing, aim for Uludağ between roughly late December and March, when snow cover on the resort is most reliable.
See the Month-by-Month Guide →Most travellers reach Bursa as a day trip or short break from Istanbul. The classic route combines a fast ferry across the Sea of Marmara (from Istanbul's Yenikapı or Kadıköy toward the Mudanya/Güzelyalı area) with a short bus or shuttle into the city, which is quicker and more scenic than driving the full loop around the bay; direct intercity buses also run from Istanbul and other cities to Bursa's main otogar. Bursa has its own airport at Yenişehir, but flight options are limited, so many visitors simply fly into Istanbul and continue by ferry or road. Within the city a modern metro, tram, and buses connect the main districts, while the historic core around Ulu Cami and Koza Han is best explored on foot. For Uludağ, take the cable car (Teleferik) from the Teferrüç station, and reach villages like Cumalıkızık by local bus, taxi, or an organised tour.
Best areas to base yourself in Bursa.
Staying near Ulu Cami, Heykel square, and Koza Han keeps the bazaars, mosques, and main sights within walking distance.
This leafy spa district just west of the centre is the place for thermal-bath hotels and a quieter, greener base.
The cluster of mountain hotels high on Uludağ is the natural base for skiers in winter and for hikers and cooler air in summer.
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Bursa's mosques are active places of worship, so cover shoulders and knees, and women should carry a scarf for their hair; you will also remove your shoes before entering.
The old city, Tophane hill, and Cumalıkızık are full of cobbles and slopes, so sturdy walking shoes make a real difference.
The mountain runs much cooler than the city even in summer, so bring a warm layer for the cable car and higher altitudes, plus proper winter gear if you plan to ski.
Bursa is the home of the İskender kebab and is known for candied chestnuts (kestane şekeri) and peach orchards, so leave room to eat between bazaar browsing.
Yes. With the fast ferry across the Sea of Marmara plus a short transfer, Bursa works as a day trip, though staying overnight lets you enjoy the mountain, thermal baths, and villages at a relaxed pace.
The most popular way is a fast ferry from Istanbul toward the Mudanya area followed by a bus into the city, and direct intercity buses also run. Driving is possible but takes longer around the bay.
The nickname reflects its many parks and its setting among green mountain slopes, and it also nods to its famous green-tiled monuments such as the Green Mosque and Green Tomb.
Yes. Outside ski season Uludağ offers cool air, hiking trails, and wide views, and the cable car ride up is enjoyable year-round.
Bursa is the birthplace of the İskender kebab and is also known for candied chestnuts and its long silk-weaving tradition centred on Koza Han.
One full day covers the main Ottoman sights, but two to three days let you add Uludağ, the thermal baths, and Cumalıkızık for a more complete experience.
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