Things to Do in Bursa Turkey

My first experience when I got out of the ferry at Yalova and boarded a shared minibus to Bursa was to have a mediocre overnight experience to a place you transit to in order to get to another place. I discovered instead a city surrounded with green hills, smoking thermal springs and the silent splendor of the first Ottoman capital. What you’re about to find out is that, in your quest to find something to do in Bursa Turkey, you are having a very good look at one of the most neglected sites in the country a city that gave birth to empires, made merchants rich with silk and a snow-capped mountains that keep an eye on the entire situation.

 

Bursa does not scream at your attention as Istanbul does. It doesn’t need to. There is nothing more old-fashioned than the way Bursa becomes endearing to the nose, ears, and heart, in between the ringing of the call to prayer, sliding off its 14th-century domes, and the scents of chestnut kebabs floating through the Grand Bazaar.

You will find everything in this guide: best attractions, food, cost tips, built-in itinerary, local secrets and the mistakes most travelers commit which you can avoid.

Summary of features: The Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami), the Uludağ Teleferik cable car, and the Koza Han silk market are the top attractions in Bursa Turkey along with relaxation in old Ottoman thermal times and a meal of the so-called Iskender kebab which was, in fact, invented in this city.

Bursa, Turkey Overview

Small in size, Bursa is a city located in the west of Turkey, between the Sea of Marmara and Mount Uludağ. It was the original capital of the Ottoman Empire before being ousted by Istanbul and the imprint of this is left nearly on every street corner, the imperial mosques, the tomb of the sultans, the products.

A reference to the parks, woods, and avenues of trees, the locals have christened it Yeşil Bursa, or Green Bursa. In addition to the history, Bursa is popular in Turkey in three aspects; silk, thermal spas, and İskender kebab. The combination of the three aforementioned threads has rendered Bursa Turkey to do things less like sightseeing, and more like an exploration of a living museum that also happened to have exemplary food.

Bursa is not as busy as the tourist machine in Istanbul. Families have picnics around Ottoman tombs. Old men doubt in gambling in tea gardens. Students at the university pass the historic bazaars to get to school.

Associated organizations of interest: Ottoman Empire, Mount Uludağ, Marmara Region, Silk Road, Turkish thermal baths (kaplıcalar), Cumalikizik village.

Optimal Weather Conditions: When to Visit Bursa

You must make your experience time and again here, as Bursa has two fairly contrasting personalities with the seasons.

Spring (April–June): moderate, in blossom — best for sightseeing, walking tours, photography. Summer (July–August): hot, humid — early in the morning, keep out of the heat in the afternoon. Autumn (Sept–Nov): chilly, crisp — fewer people, the best overall mix. Winter (Dec–Feb): icy and snowy — skiing on Uludağ, thermal spa retreats.

In case of the aim of skiing or snow scenery, Uludağ is one of the most popular ski resorts in Turkey. Autumn and spring are the peak season to see historic places, however, without overheating your shirt and in this case, I would choose towards the end of October when the mountain forest turns gold and the attractions have already cleared out.

Whoops: Avoid national holidays such as Ramadan Bayram, when homegrown tourists have overwhelmed the hotels and thermal establishments of Bursa, reserving them several weeks beforehand.

How to Reach Bursa

Bursa does not have a big international airport, which, frankly, is an advantage to it. It prevents the overcrowding of the city.

Istanbul (Most Common Route): 2.5 hours, 68.00 NTL per way

• Bus + Ferry (Sea Bus / Fast Ferry): Board a fast ferry at Yenikapı or Kabataş and take a quick bus to the city to Yalova or Mudanya. Overall time: about 2–2.5 hours.
• Direct Bus: Very comfortable intercity buses operate between the main bus terminals in Istanbul and transport between Istanbul and the main regions in about 3–4 hours depending on the traffic on the Bosphorus Bridge.
• Private Transfer: The most pristine choice of families/groups desiring door-to-door ease.

Public Transportation

There is no airport located in Bursa. Yenişehir Airport has some domestic and seasonal international flights touching there and it takes a 45-minute drive to the center of the city.

Getting Around Bursa

• BursaKart (public transport card): It is accepted in buses, metro (Bursaray) and old-fashioned tram.
• Taxis: Average priced, though you will always want to check that the meter starts before you drive away.
• Walking: The location of the old town as well as the Koza Han and the Green Mosque are all accessible on foot.

The Best Activities in Bursa Turkey

This is the central theme of the guide the key list of attractions which always rates high on both tourists and people who are fond of Ottoman history.

1. Go to the Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami)

The masterpiece of the Ottoman architecture of Bursa. Constructed in the early 15th century, its tile patterns are unusual in Turkey, and are in turquoise and emerald. Enter very quietly–it is not a scene, it is a shrine that is in operation.

2. Explore the Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe)

Right next to the mosque, on the other side of the hill, is the tomb of Sultan Mehmed I, decorated with the same jewel-colored tiles. The majority of visitors would combine the two sites in a single painless stroll, it would be a pity to visit one and not the other.

3. Take a Ride in the Uludağ Cable Car (Teleferik)

One of the longest cable car systems in Europe, the Bursa Teleferik hauls you nearly 2,000 meters up Mount Uludağ. During winter, skiers replace them, during summer, it is hikers and families fleeing the heat below.

4. Buy in Koza Han (Silk Market)

This caravanserai was constructed in 1491 but is used till now as a silk trade center. Sellers of scarves, fabrics and cocoons sell there in the same court where many centuries ago merchants of the Silk Road used to argue over the prices. Well worth an hour of your time.

5. Explore the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)

Still smaller, and much less chaotic than the one in Istanbul, the bazaar in Bursa is the place where real locals do their shopping — keychains not included in the list of goods, spices, leather and towels are so.

6. Take a Dip in an Ottoman Thermal Bath

Bursa is built upon natural hot springs and the historic hamams (such as Eski Kaplıca) have been operational since the Byzantine times. This is among the purest methods to spend an afternoon here — a native ceremony no more than a holiday snap.

7. Step Back in Time: Cumalikizik Village

An Ottoman village only a few miles out of town that is UNESCO-preserved with the cobblestones, wooden-framed buildings and even grandmothers selling their homemade jam off their front steps. You had better go on a weekday morning, when the streets are not so crowded with people–the weekend groups are so distracting to such a quiet place.

8. Visit Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque)

This mosque is home to 20 domes and an indoor fountain (şadırvan), and is a transitional style relating to Seljuk-Ottoman that you will not easily find elsewhere.

9. Take the Vintage Tram in Old Bursa

An easy, sentimental, affordable, and not a walking-uphill-in-the-heat way to have the crossover architecture of the city. Little ride, really good.

10. Take a Rest in Botanik Park & Tea Gardens

The locals pick here in the evenings – and take a glass of Turkish tea, and see the city relax. No effort needed, good people-watching.

Local Culture & Food in Bursa

Bursa, as far as food is not merely fuel.

İskender Kebab — Born in Bursa

The point is like this: It was not only İskender kebab that was popularized here, it was created here, in 1860s. Doner meat on pide bread cut into thin slices, dipped in tomato sauce, melted butter and yogurt. Have it pretty much any other place in Turkey and you are having a duplicate of it. Know before you go.

Other Dishes to Try in the Area

• Kestane Şekeri – candied chestnuts, a dish of Bursa.
• İnegöl Köfte – grilled meatballs of a local district.
• Şeftali Kebabı – skewers of peach (uncharacteristically salty) wrapped in peach.
• Near to the Koza Han, Turkish Delight and silk-city sweets.

Cultural Etiquette Tips

• Enter mosques in a modest manner (scarves are normally sold at the entrance).
• The bazaars are supposed to be bargained but in a good natured manner.
• Mosques are filling up quickly in the afternoons on Fridays – schedule your visits then.

Bursa Is an Attractive Destination That Has Low Prices

Bursa is significantly more affordable than Istanbul, and that is why it is a good choice of a slow traveler and a backpacker.

• Beyond the tourist center, leave the area — guesthouses in the Osmangazi area will be much cheaper than hotels around Koza Han.
• Go by BursaKart rather than taxis and you will make a saving than you probably thought in a few days time.
• Dine the way people eat the food of the locals. The small lokantas (home-style restaurants) can serve as much as one tenth of what the same quality will cost in the tourist areas.
• Explore mosques and Cumalikizik village without fee: the majority of the places of interest in this area have no entrance fee.
• Purchases of silk at Koza Han instead of at tourist shops, which charge very high prices.
• Come midweek to get lower accommodation rates across board.

3-Day Travel Itinerary for Bursa

Day 1: Ottoman Old Town

• Morning: Green Mosque & Green Tomb
• Afternoon: Koza Han + Grand Bazaar
• Evening: Dinner of Iskender kebab in the Heykel district.

Day 2: Mountains & Relaxation

• Morning: Uludağ cable-train ride.
• Afternoon: Skiing or hiking (depending on the season)
• Evening: Ottoman traditional thermal bath.

Day 3: Village Life & Hidden Corners

• Morning: Field trip to Cumalikizik village.
• Afternoon: Ulu Cami + Botanik Park
• Evening: Sunset tea at hillside cafe at the top of the city.

Bursa Tourist Attractions

Beyond the rattled outlines, there are a few local places which part the tourist who vaguely skipped over the city in a small place, and him who really knew it.

• Muradiye Complex — The quiet area of sultan tombs (almost vacant even in the high season) in the Ottoman tradition. Surprisingly moving.
• Misi Village – Less frequented, and less busy compared to Cumalikizik, with the same Ottoman bones and much less tourist groups.
• Tophane Clock Tower – Sunset views of the city that majority of visitors pass by.
• Local chestnut roasters at Ulu Cami – A snack that the locals vow to as the weather chills down is inexpensive but delicious.

Local Secret: A requested Bursa resident will direct you to a good place to have İskender but you will probably be referred to a place that is decades old and is run by a family nook rather than the shiny restaurants towards the main square. Trust that recommendation.

The Top Things to Avoid When Travelling in Bursa

• Taking Bursa as a day out. Lots of individuals rush back to Istanbul during the same night, and are deprived of the thermal baths and mountain adventure altogether. Do not be such a person.
• Skipping the cable car on cloudy days. See how it goes first,–the glimpses disappear altogether in mist and it is a long long ride up there to see nothing.
• Not carrying cash. There tends to be smaller shops and lokantas in the old town that do not accept cards, period.
• Ignoring mosque etiquette. Dress humbly is no recommendation at busy religious places.
• Supposing that the taste of İskender kebab is the same everywhere. The original Bursa is really quite different – make sure you read it when you really happen to be here.
• Overpacking the itinerary. Bursa is a slow-traveller. Fitting ten places in one day beats the entire idea of going.

Also Read: Travel Ideas From Evansville Indiana 15 Best Trips Near You.

Conclusions: Bursa — Why It Should Be on Your Turkey List

Bursa is not attempting to match Istanbul, and this is the thing that makes it worth your time. It presents Ottoman history minus the tourists, mountain air minus the trip to eastern Turkey, and food worthy even of a national dish bearing its name. Bursa will keep you occupied days, whether you need some history, some good food or some air, or you need your days to go slower, they will in Bursa.

When you are compiling a Turkey itinerary, do not leave Bursa an aside. Allow me two or three days–you will shoot back a filled, and noiseless, and more interesting album, on which most tourists never draw a watchful word.

Are you prepared to make your expedition? Take notes on this guide, send it to your traveling crowd, and begin planning your Bursa adventure.

FAQ

1. What is Bursa, Turkey famous for?

The city of Bursa boasts of the first Ottoman capital, its history of silk trade, Mount Uludağ ski resort, thermal hot springs and the original Iskender kebab.

2. How many days would you spend in Bursa?

Two to three days is the golden mean – that is plenty of time to see the old town and the Uludağ mountain, and a village nearby such as Cumalikizik.

3. Does Bursa give value to Istanbul?

Absolutely. Istanbul to Bursa is approximately 2-4 hours via ferry and bus, it is a hit and an extremely worth visiting place on the weekend or on a day-trip.

4. What is the food that I should visit in Bursa?

The first must-visit Iskender kebab, as it was made here. Other than that, there are kestane şekeri (candied chestnuts) and İnegöl köfte.

5. Is Uludağ good for skiing?

Yes, Uludağ is among the most commonly visited ski resorts in Turkey particularly during the months of December to February and is easily accessible by cable car upon a visit to the city centre.

6. What is the most favorable occasion to pay a visit to Bursa in Turkey?

The most pleasant seasons in which to see the sites are spring (April–June), and autumn (September–November) and the most obvious one, when it comes to skiing, was the winter.

7. Can tourists afford to visit Bursa?

Not at all. Bursa tends to be cheaper than Istanbul – particularly its food, local transportation and accommodation beyond the tourist areas.