Bursa
The first Ottoman capital, with imperial mosques, thermal baths, silk, Cumalıkızık and İskender kebab.
Best time
April to June and September to October; winter is good for thermal baths and Uludağ skiing.
Province
Bursa
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ottoman Bursa
- Morning: Ulu Cami, Koza Han and the bazaar.
- Midday: lunch at a historic İskender kebab restaurant.
- Afternoon: Yeşil Cami, Yeşil Türbe and Emir Sultan Mosque.
- Evening: hammam or thermal bath.
Day 2: Cumalıkızık and Uludağ
- Morning: Cumalıkızık village (Ottoman houses, breakfast).
- Afternoon: Uludağ cable car or a walk in the foothills.
- Evening: return to Bursa.
Early Ottoman monuments
Ulu Cami
The Great Mosque of Bursa, with twenty domes and a large calligraphy collection. It is the city's central monument.
Green Mosque and Green Tomb
A 15th-century complex with green-and-blue tiles, a royal tomb and a hilltop view.
Muradiye Complex
A peaceful complex of tombs, a mosque and gardens, with fine tilework.
Emir Sultan Mosque
A hillside mosque and tomb with a courtyard and views over the city.
Bursa Castle
The remains of the Byzantine and Ottoman citadel, with towers and city views.
Bazaars and village life
Koza Han
A 15th-century silk market with a courtyard, tea garden and small shops. It is a good place to slow down.
Covered Bazaar
A historic market area with textiles, towels, chestnut sweets and local food.
Irgandı Bridge
A small historic bridge with shops on it, crossing the Gökdere stream.
Cumalıkızık
A preserved Ottoman village on the slopes of Uludağ, with stone-and-timber houses and a village square.
Gölyazı
A lakeside village near Uluabat Lake, with old houses, boats and a quiet atmosphere.
Nature and nearby
Uludağ
The mountain above Bursa, with cable car access, winter skiing and summer walks.
Teleferik
The Bursa cable car climbs from the city to Uludağ, with forest and valley views.
Çekirge thermal springs
Historic thermal baths and hotels in the Çekirge district, known since Roman times.
İznik
A lakeside town with Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers, famous for its tiles and the Hagia Sophia mosque.
Mudanya and Tirilye
Quiet Sea of Marmara towns with old houses, a harbour and a slower pace.
More places to see
Bursa Archaeological Museum
Regional finds from Nicaea, Mysia and Bithynia, with sculpture and coins.
Bursa Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
Carpets, manuscripts, calligraphy and Ottoman everyday objects in a former madrasa.
Atatürk Museum
A period house with original furniture and photographs from Atatürk's visits to Bursa.
Gökdere
A green valley with tea gardens, walking paths and a quieter side of the city.
Setbaşı
A historic bridge and neighbourhood with cafes, shops and old houses.
Uludağ National Park
Mountain walks, ski slopes and cable-car access above Bursa.
Sülüklü Göl
A small mountain lake near Keles, good for a quiet day in nature.
Bursa City Museum
A museum covering the city's history, crafts and daily life in a restored building.
İznik Museum
A museum with finds from Nicaea, including Roman and Byzantine objects, near the Hagia Sophia mosque.
Uluabat Lake
A shallow lake with birdlife, fishing villages and quiet roads, west of Bursa.
Misi Village
A village of old houses, vineyards and wine producers, now part of Gümüştepe.
Oylat Canyon
A green canyon and thermal area near İnegöl, with walking paths and waterfalls.
Kültürpark
The city's central green space, with cafes, paths and the fairground.
Sources: GoTürkiye Bursa
Food to try
İskender kebab, kestane şekeri, candied chestnuts, cantık, tahinli pide.
Where to stay
Bursa centre for sights; Çekirge for thermal hotels.
Practical notes: Bursa is reachable by ferry + bus from Istanbul or by car. Uludağ is a ski resort in winter and a cool escape in summer.