Cidade Turismo
Turkey
Bursa

Bursa · Turkey

Bursa

The first Ottoman history appears in the markets and mosques of Bursa, in the houses of Cumalıkızık and in ancient Nicaea, beside İznik lake.

Trácia e Mármara

In the photo: Muradiye complex, Bursa

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Bursa lies in Anatolia, south of the Sea of Marmara, at the foot of Uludağ. The city was one of the early Ottoman capitals and preserves the relationship between religious complexes, markets and neighborhoods. An urban visit lets you understand that system before heading to the mountain or to other towns in the province.

Ulu Camii, Koza Han, Yeşil Cami and Muradiye show different functions and periods. Cumalıkızık adds the rural village that was connected to the city. The two centers form a joint heritage, but require separate travel and visiting time.

İznik, ancient Nicaea, lies in another part of the province and combines the memory of the councils, city walls and a ceramic tradition. Uludağ brings a shift to mountain scenery, with programs that vary by season. Avoid presenting all these outings as a single short day trip from Istanbul.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Bursa, Cumalıkızık, İznik.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Bursa is
BursaİznikCumalıkızık

Limites: Natural Earth (domínio público). Ilhas do Mármara e dos Príncipes: geoBoundaries / © colaboradores do OpenStreetMap (CC BY-SA). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Bursa

From Istanbul, use a bus or a sea link to the Mudanya area followed by land transport. Other cities connect to Bursa via the intercity bus terminal. İznik should be planned as a separate stage or outing.

Suggested arrival point: Bursa

The local experience

Things to do in Bursa

Bursa Ulu Camii
Bursa · Bursa · Mosque

Bursa Ulu Camii

Bursa’s great mosque features twenty domes, an interior fountain and calligraphy, beside the old market quarter.

Cumalıkızık Köyü
Cumalıkızık · Bursa · Historic town

Cumalıkızık Köyü

Stone streets and wooden and masonry houses preserve the rural organization linked to the former Ottoman capital.

İznik Ayasofya Orhan Camii
İznik · Bursa · Mosque

İznik Ayasofya Orhan Camii

The former church of Hagia Sophia in Nicaea preserves Byzantine references in a building that returned to Islamic religious use.

İznik Tarihi Kent Merkezi
İznik · Bursa · Historic complex

İznik Tarihi Kent Merkezi

The layout of ancient Nicaea, with gates and walls, allows you to understand the town through its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman inheritances.

See 4 more places in Bursa
Koza Han
Bursa · Bursa · Historical heritage

Koza Han

Former merchant inn linked to the silk trade, with a courtyard and galleries in the heart of Bursa.

Yeşil Cami
Bursa · Bursa · Mosque

Yeşil Cami

The Green Mosque displays tilework and stone carving from early Ottoman architecture, in the Yeşil neighborhood.

Muradiye Külliyesi
Bursa · Bursa · Historical heritage

Muradiye Külliyesi

Ensemble of mosque, garden and mausoleums of the Ottoman family, with tile decoration and painted surfaces.

Uludağ
Bursa · Bursa · Mountain

Uludağ

The mountain south of Bursa offers forest scenery, walking areas and winter sports depending on snow and local operations.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

April to June and September to October usually favor the urban complexes. July and August are hot. From December to March, winter activities on Uludağ depend on snow and local operation; the mountain can be colder than Bursa.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three to four days for Bursa, Cumalıkızık and İznik. Uludağ can take half a day or an extra full day, depending on the excursion and transport chosen.

Which city to stay in

In Bursa, the center near Ulu Camii and the markets reduces travel. Muradiye and Yeşil require additional walks or transport. One night in İznik can ease the lakeside itinerary; Cumalıkızık is commonly visited from Bursa.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Bursa

Is Bursa in Europe?

No. It is on the Asian side of the Marmara region, south of the sea.

What is the difference between Bursa and Cumalıkızık?

Bursa shows Ottoman urban organization; Cumalıkızık preserves a rural core of traditional houses.

Do I need to choose between İznik and Uludağ?

With few days, yes: they are outings with different themes and directions that should not be compressed into the same period.

In which months is there usually snow on Uludağ?

The snow season on Uludağ usually runs from December to March, depending on each year’s winter. Check mountain conditions before planning your program.

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