Bursa, Turkey - Travel

In Bursa, the traditional buzz of Koza Han comes alive with the echoes of conversation and the clink of tea glasses. The historic silk market, with its maze of shops and stalls, projects a sense of timeless commerce legacy. The redolence of freshly brewed Turkish tea interweaves with the faint scent of silk, assembling a delightfully oriental aura.

The cradle of the Ottoman Empire, the heart of the Silk Trade in Turkey, and the fourth largest city in the country, Bursa is equipped with an infinity of attractions, historic landmarks, and prosperous sociocultural activities. Celebrated as the 'Green City,' it's qualified to be radiantly white in winter, with Mount Uludağ (40 km away) serving as the quintessential winter resort of the country, both for local and international vacationers. Set against the base of towering mountains, Bursa, the first capital rich in Ottoman heritage and abundant in shades of green, presents a unique mosaic made of culture and nature shaped by the layers of history. With its emerald vistas and minaret-crowned skylines, Bursa delicately amalgamates the natural environment with architectural elegance and time-honoured charm with cutting-edge sophistication. Containing timeless stories from Byzantine resistance to the Ottoman foundation, Bursa represents a signature location and an opulent hotspot for discerning travellers.

Bursa Tours

Plunging into the year-round magneticism of Bursa suits travellers of all tastes. From renowned ski resorts and ancient silk markets to captivating museums, soothing baths, bazaars, and historic landmarks, this city conveys something for everyone. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, an architecture buff, or a passionate foodie, Turkey's fourth-largest city provides a serene escape for visitors from around the world. Often referred to as a 'smaller Istanbul,' its historical centre is compact enough for a stroll, while a charming tram service, cable car (Gondola; Teleferik) and convenient buses connect you to the city's more distant treasures.

Best Time To Visit Bursa

To savour its charm entirely, the best time to visit Bursa is from November to March, when the green city is emblazoned with the purest white snowflakes and Uludağ Mountain serves as the main winter sports destination of the country. With temperatures dropping to -10 °C during December and January, Bursa’s winter charm is unmatched. Whether for sightseeing or snowy adventures, Bursa promises a memorable getaway year-round. During spring (April to June), when the weather is mild, with average temperatures around 23 °C, Bursa becomes another perfection for exploring its historic landmarks and vibrant attractions.

History of Bursa

Bursa, the noble birthplace of the Ottoman Empire, stands as a beacon of historical and cultural significance. Recognized in ancient times as Prusa, the city was liberated from Greek occupation on September 11, 1922, after a notable 2-year, 2-month, and 2-day occupation. Its origins extend to early settlements tracing back to 8500 BC. Throughout its storied past, Bursa has been a stage for Lydian, Persian, and Byzantine influences, including the architectural legacy granted by Carthaginian king Hannibal, who first mapped out the city. As the Ottoman Empire's initial capital from 1326, Bursa thrived as a vital silk trade hub, with sericulture flourishing from around 500 AD and contributing to its opulence. Renowned for its therapeutic hot springs and elegant hammams, further refined during Emperor Justinianus's era, the city’s prominence continued until it was succeeded by Edirne as the Ottoman capital in 1365. Despite the trials of conflict and occupation, Bursa's legacy continues to shine through its historical merit and its role as a lighthouse of cultural and economic vitality in the early Ottoman era.

What to Do in Bursa?

Settled on the lush plateau of Uludağ Mountain, the principal ski resort in Turkey, history casts a large shadow over Bursa. While the city's most enchanting discoveries invite you to uncover its copious history, there is much more beyond the celebrated past waiting to be discovered.

Landmarks and Attractions in Bursa

The largest municipality of Bursa, Osmangazi District, embraces most of the city's significant attractions, primarily linked with the annals of the nation. Among these are the tombs of Osmangazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, and his son Orhangazi, located in Tophane Park, part of UNESCO's World Heritage Listing. There, you will also find the Clock Tower, an iconic landmark providing a glimpse into Bursa’s historical urban landscape. The district is graced by the Emir Sultan Mosque, a classy splendour perched in the serene Emir Sultan neighbourhood. Renowned for its striking green-tiled exterior and its significance in architecture from the early Ottoman era, Green Madrasa, home to the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, is an additional wonder of Osmangazi District.

The heart of the Silk Road, Koza Han, with over 100 shops, spreading over two floors additionally borders the Bursa Grand Mosque portrays the cultural texture of Bursa and the architectural brilliance of the Ottoman Empire.

The Bursa Uludağ Gondola, the longest cable car ride in Turkey, lasts 20 minutes. Dating back to the early Ottoman period, and connecting the city centre to the Green Neighborhood (Yeşil Mahalle), Irgandi Bridge integrates traditional shops "arastas". Another mesmerising landmark, Inkaya Tree, 37 metres tall and 53 metres in diameter is the largest tree in the country, standing for over 600 years.

Settled on a hill, Bursa Castle has long stood as a formidable sentinel, safeguarding the city and bearing witness to countless tales. The Green Mosque and Tomb, a treasure for enthusiasts of Islamic culture and the Ottoman Empire, is renowned as one of Bursa’s most exquisite mosques. The Muradiye Mosque Complex, built by Sultan Murat II in the early 15th century, is a serene enclave encompassing religious schools, a soup kitchen, and a bathhouse.

Bursa Museums

In this city of flowers, museums facilitate history with modern texture. The pioneering museum here, currently designated as Bursa Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, inaugurated in 1902, owes its inception to the devoted efforts of Azmi, Director of Bursa Education.

Bursa's Atatürk Museum headquartered on Çekirge Avenue. This late 19th-century building became a prodigious facility in Bursa's history after the municipality purchased it from Colonel Mehmet Bey in January 1923 and gifted it to Atatürk.

The Bursa City Museum characterises the old capital's 8,000-year culture, flaunting its role in shaping basic Anatolian and Ottoman ethos. The ground floor embraces Bursa's history in chronological order, while the "City of Civilizations Bursa" section traces the city's early civilizations and its merit as the first Ottoman capital.

Bursa Atatürk Congress Culture and Museum, lodged in the historic building where Atatürk first visited Bursa, recounts the city's role in Turkey's national struggle. Bursa Karagöz Museum celebrates the art of traditional Turkish shadow puppetry, featuring exhibits on puppets, scripts, and performances. Bursa Archaeological Museum, often called Bursa Museum, showcases archaeological artefacts from the region. Sultan's Mansion Museum, overlaid in an 1844 hunting lodge, adorns garden and café with royal heirlooms along. Merinos Textile Industry Museum, quondam wool factory, in this instant, exhibits textile machinery and fabrics as an industrial heritage museum. Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque Museum, within the monumental mosque, focuses on religious relics and its bygone era. Orhan Gazi Mosque Museum poses tralatitious specimens from the heyday of Ottoman dynasty. Uludağ National Park Visitor Center Museum extends an insight into the natural inheritance and biodiversity of Uludağ, with exhibits on local wildlife. The Tofaş Museum of Cars and Anatolian Carriages, opened in 2002, is a private museum dedicated to Turkish carriages and Tofaş-manufactured cars.

Bursa Theatres

From traditional Turkish theatre to Greek tragedies, Bursa theatres variegate the artistic scene. While Culture Park Open Air Theater (Kültürpark Açıkhava Tiyatrosu) hosts remarkably heterogeneous productions such as musical, comedy, tragedy, or even concerts, Bursa Karagöz Theatre strictly prioritises aged Turkish shadow puppetry, implicitly manifesting ethnological Turkish value-system and social norms. Ahmet Vefik Pasha State Theater (Ahmet Vefik Paşa Bursa Devlet Tiyatrosu), in addition to staging plays, plays for both practical and theoretical theatre classes, nurturing the next generation of actors for the Turkish theatre arts. Initially focused solely on children's plays, Bursa City Theater (Bursa Şehir Tiyatrosu) has since evolved into a repertoire stage and revived the forgotten Ortaoyunu tradition, establishing an Orta Oyunu branch in 1998. Stationed at Nilüfer municipality, inside the Bursa Journalists Association Press and Culture Palace, Uğur Mumcu Scene exercises on performing arts, boasting a 298-seat capacity, an advanced sound and lighting system, three backstage rooms, and facilities for simultaneous interpretation.

Entertainment, Parks, and Shopping in Bursa

Entertainment

Ofttimes branded by Bursalı marketers with the catchphrase "Bursa - Another Name for Green," because of the immense and tranquil parks anchored within its urban texture, and greenery of the historic landmarks, this city symbolises a haven for outdoor activity vacationers. Coined as Green Bursa (Yeşil Bursa), and surrounded by expansive forests, the old capital is among the crowning rendezvous for strollers, hitchhikers, and thrill-seekers.

Parks of Bursa

The central recreation area of Bursa, Kültürpark, is the first systematised verdant zone of the city, deploying restaurants, amusement parks, bars, and chai houses on its comely body.

Tophane Park parades as an elegant retreat, bedecked with delectable cafes, adorable refreshment stalls, and statuesque features. Clock Tower, an illustrious emblem of Bursa’s historical grandeur, decorates the park with its timeless presence.

Soganli Botanical Park (Soganli BOTANİK PARK) beckons visitors to revel in its deluxe array of gardens, from the sedate Japanese and English gardens to the fragrant rose and azalea-rhododendron nooks.

While Uludağ delivers bustle-hustle for winter, Bursa will still lavish adrenaline junkies of all seasons with its exemplary Extreme Park (ExtremPark Macera Parkı). Spread out through Ataturk's Urban Forest, this adventure campsite incorporates airsoft, rock climbing, zip lining, skateboarding, mountain sled, giant swing and gobs of other thrilling physical practices.

For those seeking thrills like Jeep safaris, mind-boggling giant swings, ziplines, or horseback riding, Bursa pitches yet another gem: Yeşil Vadi Adrenalin Park, where adventure finds its foolproof home.

Snugged inside the wondrous district of Mustafakemalpaşa in Bursa, just 20 kilometres from the town centre, Suuçtu Nature Park divulges its idyllic beauty with a waterfall cascading from a height of 38 metres. Surrounded by lush beech forests, this natural oasis, with its crisp, invigorating air, extends a perfect setting for hearty excursions and picnics.

Merinos Park is a bucolic sanctuary in the heart of Bursa, suggesting a revitalising escape with its ponds, and pathways for walking, running, and cycling at peace. Beyond its natural beauty, it features snug cafés, dining spots, and playgrounds for children. The park also houses the Merinos Atatürk Congress and Culture Center, making it an essential pivot for both leisure and cultural pursuits.

Shopping in Bursa

The incipient berth of Silk Trading in Turkey, Bursa, successfully maintains the yore tradition of commerce through the excellent Koza Han from yesteryear, ultra-modern shopping malls, and richly textured bazaars.

Covering ​​169,000 m², Korupark Shopping Center vaunts 215 stores, a movie theatre with repertoire both local and international titles, entertainment centres such as bowling alleys and food courts. Dwelled in the heart of the city, Kent Meydanı Shopping Center grasps an assortment of services such as car wash, hairdressing, dry cleaning, infirmary, tailoring, and infant care room. ÖzdilekPark Bursa Nilüfer Mall, an ultramodern Podyum Park and Zafer Plaza act as three the premier shopping destinations in Bursa, furnishing a sundry of brand-name stores, dining options, and recreation venues. Anatolium Alışveriş Merkezi comprehends a dynamic retail adventure with its eclectic mix of stores and a spacious, lively food court.

Purchasing goods in Bursa without penetrating to the hoary bazaars is futile as the city is dotted with the venerable marts of the Turkey, championing the Koza Han, a 15th-century paragon of free enterprise and a silk marked housed in the heart of Bursa. The Covered Market in Bursa (KAPALI ÇARŞI) is a treasure trove of multifarious offerings, from elegant clothing, bags, and accessories to exquisite gold jewellery. Sunday Bazaar in  Osmangazi (Pazar Pazarı) welcomes visitors with a colourful batch of Black Sea delicacies, fresh vegetables and fruits, a variety of food staples, and a wealth of other local merchandise. 200 metres long Archers Bazaar (Okçular Çarşısı) prevail as a marketplace filled with clothing, footwear, household essentials and agricultural supplies, while for  grains, honey, fresh fish, and legumes the Salt Market (Tuz Pazarı) will treat you well.

Food in Bursa

In Bursa, each morsel of local cuisine is an adventure and a story yearning to be heard. The bosom of the revered  Īskender kebab will align to the needs of all tastes.

Turkish Cuisine

Although the Īskender kebab embodies a trademark for Bursan comestible scene, the amplitude of the green city's dietary is astronomic from region-oriented dishes to internationally-acclaimed fares.

Extensively served across Anatolia, Boiler Tarhana Soup, or "Milky Tarhana", stands for the heart of Bursa’s time-honoured cuisine. The world-renowned doner kebab, a hallmark of the city’s gastronomic legacy, traces its origins to Bursa’s Kayhan Bazaar. Another peculiar creation of Bursa and Ottoman Palace cuisine are Meaty Stew with Plum and Damat Paçası. Sometimes referred to as Turkish pizza, Lahmacun is a thin, crispy flatbread with grind meat, tomatoes, onions, and spices.

Another symbol of Bursa, chestnuts from Uludağ are central to many local meals. A beloved taste of Bursa’s culinary tradition, it is a hilite in the city's traditional restaurants. Mantı, a tender dumplings with spiced meat and paprika butter, and çiğ köfte, a zesty mix of bulgur and vegetables with lettuce, lemon, and pomegranate molasses, are further tasteful delights of the old capital.

Vegetarian Restaurants

In Bursa, plant-based dining is so easy nowadays. Good Call, Big Chefs, Golyazi Gonul Sofrasi guarantees a warm, welcoming environment where you can savour vegetarian dishes with friendly service, enriched by cultural exchanges and Turkish dance lessons, and Zennup 1844 delivers traditional cuisine. Vasfi Falafel provides a delightful array of falafel chows at reasonable prices.

Coffee Houses, Bakeries, and Pastries

Bursa brims with a fair options of cafés, bakeries, and signature local pastries. While börek hails from the Balkans, this former Ottoman capital redefines it with ultra-thin, flaky layers filled with cheese, spinach, potatoes, or minced meat. Equally enchanting is the city's beloved künefe and  sucuklu yumurta. And of course, Bursa’s baklava - a national delicacy - boasts buttery slabs packed with pistachios or walnuts, drizzled in fragrant syrup, perfected by the city's closeness to the finest nut-growing regions.

City Transport in Bursa

Public Transport

Navigating Bursa’s suburban sprawl is now seamless, thanks to its well-integrated public transport system. Municipal Buses, Dolmuş (minibuses), an expansive tram network, and Turkey’s longest cable car, make travel remarkably convenient. Single-use contactless cards offer flexibility, priced at 5 Lira (around 0.15 USD) for a one-way trip, while two trips come in at 8 Lira (0.24 USD). Opting for a rechargeable BursaKart, however, is criminally cheap. Fares start as low as 2.4 Lira (0.07 USD), and acquiring the card itself costs just 7 Lira, a mere 20 cents.

Buses and Shuttles

Bursa’s extensive bus and shuttle chain, spanning over 200 routes, operates daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with slight variations depending on the area and service line. Ticket prices range between 2.4 and 7.5 Lira, determined by whether you’re using a contactless card or the convenient BursaKart. Whether traversing the city’s historic core or its outer districts, the transportation system is designed for ease and comfort. For detailed route information, visit Bursa’s official transit site at Burulas.com.tr.

Metro

Bursa’s metro system, known as Bursaray, assimilates subway and tram services, according to an efficient, albeit limited, transit option. With rates varying from 2.3 to 2.55 Lira (less than 10 cents), Bursaray operates from 6 a.m. to midnight, with trains arriving every 10 minutes. Its two-line structure makes navigation straightforward, though it covers only a modest portion of the city, which may not fully cater to travellers seeking to explore Bursa’s diverse attractions.

Taxi

In Bursa, as in many Turkish cities, taxis—known locally as "taksi"—are easily recognizable by their iconic yellow hue, and both public and private options are widely available, including apps such as Uber and BiTaksi. With fares averaging around 36 Lira (1.30 USD) per kilometre, taking a taxi offers an affordable and time-saving alternative, sparing you the hassle of handling public transport.

Car Rental

In the Green City, car rentals begin at an astonishingly affordable rate of just 10 USD per day, making it a flawless option for holidaymakers keen on exploring this town. Whether you're arriving at the airport, checking into one of the city’s renowned hotels, or strolling through the downtown areas, convenient rental hubs are at your service. The standard minimum age for renting a car is 21, though select agencies may require drivers to be 25. Ensure your licence is recognized—if it’s not in English or Latin script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is essential.

Other Modes of Transportation

One of the most popular alternative means of transport is the Dolmuş, or shared taxi, providing an effortless and cost-effective way to examine the city. Blue minibuses form a widespread network, while taxi-dolmuşes, clearly marked with their destination, whisk passengers to various districts. The city's modern tram system, connected to the metro, further enhances urban mobility. For those preferring eco-friendly options, bicycle and scooter apps provide an easy alternative for short-distance travel.

How to Get to Bursa?

Even though Yenişehir Airport caters domestic flights in Bursa, the most customary approach to reaching this former Ottoman capital involves ferries, buses, or private car hires. From Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, a journey to Bursa takes a mere hour and a half by road. Alternatively, combining ferry rides with private services guarantee more economical choice, allowing travellers to indulge in a scenic adventure, whether cruising across unflappable waters or steering picturesque roads.

Languages Spoken in Bursa

This initial political front of the Osmanlı Empire, Bursa had invariably attracted visitants, merchants, and traders from foreign countries, enhancing its linguistic diversity. Formerly an abode for the Romaniote Jewish community, Turkish is absolutely predominant, though you'll encounter Kurdish, Bosnian, and Albanian tongues adopted here. Recently, the rise of the Arabic language has been triggered by the increase in Syrian refugees, with Bursa accommodating approximately 170,000 Syrian refugees. In tourist areas, English is also widely espoused by local vendors and hospitality workers.

Currency in Bursa

Bursa's currency, as in other Turkish cities, is lira (TRY), available in various coins and banknotes. Currency exchange is simple, with numerous banks, ATMs, and exchange offices throughout the city, where major currencies like U.S. dollars, Euros, and British pounds can be converted. While some tourist areas may accept foreign currencies, paying in lira typically offers better value. For added convenience, many tourists opt for a low-cost travel card for easy payments, cash withdrawals, and favourable currency conversions. Notable exchange points include Kalem Döviz at Tuzpazarı, Aknur Döviz ve Altın at Osmangazi Kapalı, Erhat Döviz at Orhanbey, and Economic Exchange at Nalbantoğlu, Kapalı Çarşı.

Security in Bursa

Bursa is a broadly safe city for travellers, with minimal risk of serious issues. Public transportation, including buses, trams, and the metro, is reliable and secure, though using reputable taxi services for late-night travel is recommended. Petty crimes are infrequent, but securing your belongings and avoiding visible valuables will help maintain safety. Overall, Bursa affiliates a secure environment with only a few manageable precautions.