Bursa Travel Guide

Bursa is a major turning point in the Ottoman Empire's journey from a principality to a state. With its historical structures protected by UNESCO and its complexes that carry the Ottoman understanding of urbanism and waqf culture to the present day, it is like a living history book. This city, which evokes the traces of the past in every corner with its caravanserais, bazaars and mosques, also offers all the amenities of modern life. With a history dating back 7,000 years, Bursa has been home to many civilisations, starting from the shores of Lake Iznik. It has a rich cultural heritage, stretching from Prusa, founded by the Bithynian people in the 3rd century BC, to ancient settlements such as Gemlik, Gölyazı and Mudanya.
Bursa attracts attention not only with its history but also with its multifaceted structure. It is one of the rare cities where agriculture, industry, tourism and trade have developed together. In this sense, it is both natural and modern. With its vast forests, clean air, and lush green nature, it is a place where you can breathe freely. At the same time, as one of Turkey's most developed cities, it has been selected as one of the cities closest to European Union standards and ranks among the top cities in the world to live in.
It offers a wide range of tourism options. It provides visitors with diverse experiences in areas such as summer tourism, winter tourism, nature and sea tourism, and cultural and conference tourism. You can go skiing in Uludağ, swim in the sea in Mudanya, and watch the sunset in Gölyazı.
Bursa also captivates visitors with its delicious cuisine. Its local cuisine is rich with famous dishes such as İskender Kebab, İnegöl Köfte, chestnut sweets, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Don't leave the city without trying these delicacies.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bursa

Bursa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014 with the theme ‘Bursa and Cumalıkızık: Birthplace of the Ottoman Empire.’ The seven areas included in the list are important structures that reflect the early urban planning and architectural heritage of the Ottoman Empire:

Ulu Mosque and Hanlar Region: Considered the heart of Bursa, this region bears traces of the Ottoman Empire's first major urbanisation efforts. With its Ulu Mosque, hans, bazaars and covered areas, it is a historic commercial centre.
Hüdavendigar (1st Murad) Complex: One of the first sultan complexes of the Ottoman Empire. This complex, consisting of a mosque, madrasa, tomb, hamam, and imaret, is a simple and functional example of early Ottoman architecture.
Yıldırım (Bayezid I) Complex: Built by Bayezid I, this complex consists of a mosque, madrasa, tomb, and darüşşifa. It is located in the Yıldırım neighbourhood and has given its name to the area.
Yeşil (Mehmed I) Complex: This complex, which includes the Yeşil Mosque and Yeşil Tomb, reflects the pinnacle of Ottoman decorative art. It is famous for its tile work and takes its name ‘Yeşil’ from this aesthetic.
Orhangazi Complex: Built by Orhan Gazi after the conquest of Bursa, this complex is one of the first examples of the Ottoman approach to city planning. It is located near the Grand Mosque.
Muradiye (2nd Murad) Complex: Home to many prince tombs, this complex marks the beginning of the Ottoman dynasty's burial tradition. It stands out with its peaceful garden and simple architecture.
Cumalıkızık Village: One of the best-preserved examples of Ottoman rural settlements, Cumalıkızık brings the historical atmosphere to the present day with its stone and mud-brick houses and narrow streets.

Bursa Kultur Park

If you want to get lost in the depths of history, come to Bursa. The tombs of the first six Ottoman sultans are here. Dozens of tombs and complexes are here, libraries and universities and madrasas are here. Dozens of places to visit belonging to our history and the history of other cultures are located in Bursa. We claim that when both local and foreign tourists come to visit Bursa, a 2-3 day trip will not be enough and they will even state that they will want to come here again.

How to get to Bursa?

 Bursa is one of the busiest places in our country, and therefore, you can reach this multifunctional city from many different directions. The city is surrounded by Balıkesir and Yalova in the Marmara region. To the north, there are the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul. It can be reached by sea, road, and air. There are almost hourly, and even half-hourly, bus services to places like Istanbul, Ankara, Adana, and Izmir. Sea transportation can be done through IDO and BUDO. From an air transportation perspective, Bursa is quite busy. With advanced and special air transportation vehicles such as seaplanes and helitaxis, you can travel in a different way. In addition to scheduled flights, there are frequent flights to Bursa.

What To Eat In Bursa 

Just like in every aspect, in terms of food and cuisine, Bursa city and Bursa cuisine are quite multifaceted. Many flavors from Turkish cuisine, world cuisine, and Anatolian cuisine can be found in Bursa. There are dozens of varieties of breakfast places, many varieties of meatballs, many varieties of home-cooked meals, and desserts unique to Bursa. Bursa Chestnut Candy, Bursa Kemalpaşa Dessert, a special type of flatbread called Cantık, Tahinli Pide, and of course, our world-famous Bursa Iskender Kebab with Inegöl meatballs and local dishes make Bursa provide us with unforgettable moments. It advises us to visit again and again. 

1. In Our Opinion, Good Breakfast Places We Liked Are: Zennup
2. Uzay Pastanesi
3. Falez Cafe
4. Cumalıkızık Taş Ev
5. Tirilye Çamlı Kahve can be a great option.
6. Breakfast at the Women's Solidarity Association in Saitabat Village.
7. Giritli Elini in Mudanya.
8. Twenty-one tables are a great option for both breakfast and dinner. The breakfast is a separate legend, and the dinner is separate. 

If You're Wondering Where To Grab Lunch, Take Note!

 If you want to eat meat and its derivatives, some of the most famous places you should visit are Mavi Dükkan, also known as İskender, Cemal Cemil Usta Uludağ Kebapçısı, and Yeşil Pideli Köfte is also recommended. Namlı ciğerci, Ömür İnegöl meatballs, Çiçek grill, Uzan meat, Akay raw börek, mantı, good places for lunch for those around Heykel, Ulucami. Kozahan for coffee. Ülkü Patisserie (opposite the Grand Mosque) especially for chestnut cookies. Selçuk Restaurant in Kültür Park must also be visited. Tahinli pide from the historic Muradiye bakery and Bursa bagel from Abdal bakery, Chestnut candy from Ulus patisserie. You should try Uzay Patisserie's strawberry babaroski's and banana babaroski's, as well as their sugar-free cakes and ice creams. If you don't eat Cantık at Kardeşler Pide in Pazaryeri, you shouldn't say you've been to Bursa...

According To Us, The Best Dinner Spots Are:

1. Kaburga Et Lokantası
2. Pronto Cafe
3. Calypso (fish restaurant)
4. Balıkçı Rıza
5. Fish restaurants in Trilye
6. For fish in Mudanya, we recommend Giritli Restaurant. It's number one with its wide variety and always fresh appetizers.
7. Erol Fish in Mudanya Arnavutköy
8. Çalı Çam Et & Mangal offers a cook-your-own concept.
9. Uzan Et Lokantası is famous for its lokum and bonfile.
10. Kitapevi Restaurant is located inside the warm and welcoming Kitapevi Hotel, which has an incredible atmosphe

Don’t Leave Bursa Without Doing These

1. Take the Cable Car to Uludağ: Riding the cable car up to Uludağ is a must. Once at Sarıalan, enjoy a “grill-your-own” barbecue experience and then go for a scenic hike from the lake region to Bakacak viewpoint. With a total length of 9 kilometers, Bursa Cable Car is one of the longest non-stop cable car lines in the world. Operating since 1963, it connects Bursa city center with Uludağ and offers a panoramic journey with its 140 cabins and a capacity of 1,500 people per hour. Starting at Teferrüç, the line continues to Sarıalan and then to Kurbağakaya station in the hotel zone. Each station offers cafes, souvenir shops, ski equipment rentals, and more. Sarıalan is known for snowmobile activities, cozy forest chalets, and family restaurants, while Kurbağakaya offers direct access to ski slopes and winter snacks like grilled sausage and waffles. The cable car is a safe and stress-free alternative to reach Uludağ during snowy seasons and provides a scenic experience all year round. In summer, hiking to Bakacak Terrace is a favorite activity. For up-to-date info, check their website or Instagram.
2. Visit Lake Uluabat and Gölyazı: Explore the tranquil village of Gölyazı, nestled on a small peninsula on Lake Uluabat. It's known for its photogenic streets, historical ruins, and peaceful lakeside views.
3. Visit Karacabey Longoz Forest during the Lotus Bloom: Plan a visit to Karacabey Longozu (floodplain forest) especially during the lotus season. This unique ecosystem is a natural wonder rich in biodiversity and offers a rare wetland experience in Turkey.
4. Explore Bursa’s Ottoman Heritage and Thermal Culture: Bursa served as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and is home to many historical landmarks, particularly in the Osmangazi and Yıldırım districts. One iconic stop is Koza Han, a historical silk bazaar visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 2008. You can enjoy traditional Turkish tea in the courtyard, shop for silk products upstairs, and try the famous semolina dessert at Hacı Şerif. The city is also known for its rich thermal water sources. You can enjoy centuries-old hammam culture at historic bathhouses like Çekirge and Keçeli Women’s Bath, or pamper yourself in modern thermal hotel spas
5. Discover Unique Museums and Cultural Heritage: Bursa is home to Turkey’s only Anatolian Car Museum, located in a restored silk factory and covering 30,000 square meters. It showcases the evolution of transportation from horse-drawn carriages to modern vehicles. The traditional Karagöz-Hacivat shadow puppetry, a vital part of Turkish folklore, has been listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009. At the Karagöz Museum, you can learn about the history of shadow puppets and even see how they are made. Every two years in November–December, the International Bursa Karagöz Puppet and Shadow Theater Festival brings this tradition to life for new generations

Uluabat Gölü 

Places to Visit in Bursa

• Among the historical and cultural sites are the Ulu Mosque, Yeşil Mosque and Yeşil Tomb, Koza Han, Muradiye Complex, Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi Tombs, Irgandı Bridge, Hanlar Region and Kapalı Çarşı, Emir Sultan
• Mosque and Tomb, Saltanat Gate (Bursa Castle), Turkish-Islamic Works Museum (Yeşil Medrese) and Bursa Archaeology Museum.
• When it comes to nature and winter tourism, Uludağ is one of the most important centres for skiing and nature walks.
• The city also has the Soğanlı Botanical Park and Zoo, where you can enjoy pleasant moments surrounded by nature.
• Other places to visit include the Bursa Cable Car Teferrüç Station, Tofaş Bursa Anatolian Cars Museum, Karagöz Museum, Tophane Clock Tower and Hisar Gate.
• Gölyazı creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere with its small island on Lake Uluabat.
• İznik offers a historical heritage with the first mosque, madrasa and imaret of the Ottoman Empire.
• Cumalıkızık Village, with its stone streets and historic houses, is ideal for those who want to experience Ottoman village life.
• Sukay Park, Turkey's first cable water skiing centre, offers sports and entertainment during the summer months.
• Saitabat Village welcomes visitors with a rich selection of breakfast options prepared under the leadership of women entrepreneurs.
• Suuçtu Waterfall is a popular spot for nature walks, picnics and camping.
• İnkaya Çınarı is an impressive stop on the Uludağ road with its 600-year history and size.
• Uludağ is not only a great choice for winter sports, but also for nature walks in spring and summer.

 If you come to Bursa, you should definitely add the following places to your list of must-see attractions:

• The Grand Mosque, which is located in the city center and has witnessed many events for more than 600 years, and provides peace with its mystical atmosphere.
• The magnificent Uludağ, with its green forests in summer and its white cover in winter, which is welcoming you on the Uludağ road and engulfing you with its branches that extend to wherever.
• The Historical Inkaya Plane Tree, which is hundreds of years old and welcomes you with its branches extending up to where you can find the Tarihi İnkaya Plane Tree. (While you are there, do not forget to eat from the beautiful fruit plate adorned with seasonal fruits.)
• Mudanya, which is a little beyond Mudanya, will welcome you. After walking by the sea and maybe swimming if the weather is nice, fresh fish bread will delight your palate.
• After a little past Mudanya, Tirilye, the olive grove that jumps out of the pages of history, will welcome you. You must drink a Turkish coffee that will last forty years in Çamlı Kahve at the top. Also, the view will enchant you.
• UNESCO World Heritage List’s Cumalıkızık? With its narrow streets, warm people, and beautiful architecture, Cumalıkızık is legendary.
• In short, Bursa is made of water!" of Evliya Çelebi is true. So the flying waterfalls are the best proof of this.
•  While touring the historic bazaars, do not forget to have a tiredness coffee in Kozahan after crossing the Grand Bazaar. The centuries-old plane trees will allow you to listen in their shadows.
• If you want to visit the tombs of our ancestors who left their names in world history, you can see the tombs of Orhan Gazi and Osman Gazi in Tophane, Murat Hüdavendigar in Muradiye, the Green Tomb, and many more historical figures.
• You must visit Gölyazı and Uluabat Lake, which are on migration routes and raise curiosity with the Weeping Plane Tree.
• If you want to go a little away from the center, Iznik Lake is waiting for you.
• Let's not forget İnegöl, the largest district in the city. You can also visit Oylat Thermal Springs, which distribute healing in İnegöl. Oylat Cave is also a different natural beauty. This way, you will have eaten İnegöl meatballs on the spot.

What To Buy In Bursa

 Being a city full of culture, many unforgettable gifts and items can be purchased from Bursa. In terms of food, you can buy Bursa Chestnut Candy, Bursa Peaches, Mihaliç Cheese, Bursa Cherries, Mountain Strawberries, and Black Figs. Then, you can buy Bursa's unique Silk weavings, Bursa Fabric. Can we forget the Bursa Towel? Bursa knife is also famous. And of course, İznik Tiles.