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This full-day private trip runs about 13 hours and takes you from Istanbul to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Your guide picks you up from your hotel on the European side, then you cross the Sea of Marmara by ferry to Yalova before a two-hour drive to the city.
In Bursa you visit the Green Mosque with its İznik tiles, walk to the old silk market at Koza Han, and stop for an included lunch. A ride on the Uludağ cable car brings wide views over the city. In the late afternoon you return by car and ferry, arriving back in the evening.
Your day starts whenever suits you. Since this is a private tour, we're flexible on the pickup time, but an early start (around 7:30 AM) gives you the most time in Bursa. Your guide meets you at your Istanbul hotel on the European side, then you drive to the port and board a ferry across the Sea of Marmara to Yalova. The crossing is a nice chance to sit back and watch the water.
From Yalova, it's about a two-hour drive in an air-conditioned vehicle to Bursa. This was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, and your guide fills you in on the way. First stop is the Bursa Grand Mosque area and the Green Mosque (Yeşil Camii). Step inside to see the marble entrance and the blue-green İznik tiles that give the mosque its name. It was built for Sultan Mehmet I in the early 1400s.
A short walk brings you to Koza Han, the old silk market building from 1491. Silk traders once sold caftans here to the sultans, and Bursa marked the western end of the Silk Road. Today it's mostly a courtyard tea house with a small mosque in the center. Take a break for lunch at a nearby café (included). Try an İskender kebab, a Bursa specialty, or another Turkish dish.
After lunch, ride the cable car up toward Uludağ (historically called Mt. Olympos of Mysia). The climb gives you wide views over the city, and there's free time for photos. If the cable car isn't running, your guide walks you to a similar overlook near an old plane tree. Expect a fair amount of walking on uneven ground, so wear comfortable shoes.
In the late afternoon you'll head back the way you came: private car to Yalova, then the ferry to Istanbul port, and a drop-off at your hotel. Plan on getting back in the evening, traffic depending. END OF OUR SERVICE AND TOURS.
You can book online or by contacting us directly. We usually take a deposit to confirm your date, with the balance due before or on the tour day. We'll confirm the exact terms when you book.
Cancellations made well in advance are typically refundable. Cancellations close to the tour date may be subject to a fee. We'll give you the exact cutoff when you book.
Yes. It's just you and your own party with a private guide and vehicle. The pace and timing are flexible around your group.
You take a ferry across the Sea of Marmara to Yalova, then drive about two hours to Bursa. Total travel time each way is roughly three to three and a half hours, depending on ferry and traffic.
Pickup is offered from hotels on the European side of Istanbul only. Let us know your hotel when you book and we'll confirm.
Yes, lunch at a local café is included. Bursa is the home of İskender kebab, so that's a good choice, though other Turkish dishes are available too. Drinks other than what comes with the meal are not included.
Cover your knees and shoulders. No shorts or sleeveless tops for men or women. Bring a scarf to cover your head inside the mosque. Without proper dress, you may be refused entry.
If the Uludağ cable car is closed for weather or maintenance, your guide walks you to a similar viewpoint near an old plane tree so you still get the views over the city.
It's not recommended for children aged 4 and under because of the long travel day. Adult pricing applies to all travelers regardless of age.
You'll usually return in the evening. The exact time depends on the ferry schedule and Istanbul traffic. We drop you back at your hotel.
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Very well organized Bursa day trip, a good lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant in Bursa and a very knowledgeable guide. The views, also on the way from Istanbul are very nice.