Bursa formerly known as Bursa is Turkey's fourth-largest city, and despite being only two hours from Istanbul, it seems a world away. Bursa has it all: mountains, sea, culture, nightlife, architecture, nature, gastronomy, and knowledgeable people. Because of the beautiful mountains and the abundance of greenery, locals refer to it as the "Green City." Bursa is a city of beautifully colored homes and meandering lanes filled with fountains. It has an Ottoman flavor and features several remarkable examples of Ottoman architecture. The city is historic, alive, fresh, and simple to explore. In addition, the region is home to several wonderful places to visit in Bursa.
Top Places to Visit in Bursa: Discover the Modernity While Traveling Around History
Apart from being the Ottoman Empire's first capital, Bursa is known for being a green city, where people follow the environmental rules to give the city a pleasant look. Bursa has a rich history, yet you might be shocked to discover modern city buildings coexisting alongside amazing antique architecture. It gains notoriety as a city that attracts attention with its majestic architecture preserving vestiges from the era. A feeling of the historical journey is provided by the mosques, social complexes, and shrines. Just admire the structures and you’ll have a glimpse of history through these amazing places to visit in Bursa.
1. Ulu Cami – The Grand Mosque
In the heart of Bursa, there is one of the most famous places to visit in Turkey, the Grand Mosque of Bursa, Ulu Cami. The mosque got its name from Sultan Murat I. Before and after the prayer hours, tourists can visit the mosque and explore the 15th -century spectacular exterior and interior Ottoman and Seljuk architecture. When you visit, look for calligraphy wall inscriptions dating from the building's construction. The massive fountain and pool beneath the central dome are popular and photographed landmarks. The Silk Bazaar, the secret market, and many big marketplaces like garment market, a vegetable market, a gold store, and many more places to see in Bursa while being around the grand mosque.
Location: Nalbantoğlu, Ulucami Cd. No:2, 16010 Osmangazi/Bursa, Türkiye
2. Uludag: Year-Round Beauty
Because Uludag is so important, everyone should travel there, and the majority of those who do utilize the Uludag Gondola cable car to scale the mountain. Bursa promises a plethora of things to do in Turkey. For skiing and snowboarding, there are 28 km of slopes available, stretching approximately 9 kilometers and taking only 25 minutes to complete. There are three stations, with skiers going to the last one. Even if you visit Bursa outside of Turkey's ski season, don't skip Uludag because the mountain plateau is just as beautiful from Spring to Autumn. Summer activities include mountain biking, camping, quad biking, and trekking, in addition to viewing the spectacular scenery views from 2345 meters above sea level. In the winter, tourists may go snowboarding or on organized snow safari expeditions in addition to regular skiing.
Location: Marmara Region, Bursa
Timings: Everyday- 9 AM to 6 PM
3. Yesil Turbe: Bursa’s Green Tomb
Turbe means grave in Turkish, however, it can also refer to a mausoleum. The 15th-century Yesil Turbe in Bursa is a revered landmark and memorial to the fifth Ottoman sultan, Mehmed the 1st. One should surely come to see one of these tourist attractions in bursa turkey. You cannot resist admiring the structure which is a domed octagon with blueish-green tiles on the outside. The inside walls are lavishly ornamented with scriptures and floral motifs painted in yellow, white, and blue glazed tiles. The inside walls are lavishly ornamented with scriptures and floral motifs painted in yellow, white, and blue glazed tiles. The bottom half of the walls are lined with blue-green tiles, which are also utilized in the tympana of the internal windows.
Location: Yeşil, 1. Yeşil Cd. 66-1, 16360 Yıldırım/Bursa, Türkiye
Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM
4. Traditional Cumalikizik Village
Cumalikizik is just another beautiful Turkish village located in the vicinity of Bursa city. It was unknown before 2014, but when UNESCO listed it on its list of world historic sites. Cumalikizik is simply one of many lovely communities established by Turkomans transitioning from nomadic to sedentary life. When visiting Turkey, don’t miss one of the most beautiful tourist places in bursa, Cumalikizik, where you may stroll through the village's tiny cobblestone alleyways and see stunning Ottoman-era homes and also Enjoy a traditional Turkish village breakfast while you're there. You can also explore the streets, and buy local products and handicrafts for your loved ones.
Location: Cumalıkızık, 16370 Yıldırım/Bursa, Türkiye
5. Koza Han: The Silk Market
The apple of Bursa's eye, the Ottoman Empire's heritage, Koza Han is a two-story inn with a huge rectangular courtyard in the center. One can explore the deep textures of history, the taste of naturalness, the elegance of silk, and the scent of linden, illuminated by the sun at this Bursa tourist attraction. In the center, there is a fountain with a modest but stunning posture beneath a masjid. It provides dowry and home textile items, underwear, silver, and precious souvenirs in its stores, as well as high-quality, diverse silk fabrics, silk scarves, silk shawls, fashion products, accessories, and creative products. Outside the Koza Han, there are a few cafés where visitors may enjoy Turkish coffee and delights.
Location: Osmangazi, Uzunçarşı Cd., 16010 Osmangazi/Bursa, Turkey
Timings:
- Monday to Friday- 8 AM to 7:30 PM
- Saturday- 8 AM to 8 PM
- Sunday- 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM
6. Saitabat Waterfall
It is situated in the Kestel district. It is 22 kilometres from the city centre and 630 metres above sea level. You may have the village breakfast, which is produced by the locals and includes organic jams, breads, and "gözleme," a type of Turkish pancake. The friendliness of the locals welcomes you at the region's village houses and restaurants. A traditional Turkish village breakfast at these old houses and restaurants gives you a terrific start to the day. Visitors who want to enjoy a picnic can use the picnic tables and restrooms in the picnic area.
Location: R932+9JM, Sautada, Maharashtra 413207
Timings: Everyday- 7 AM to 6 PM
7. Bursa Fortress
If you are a history lover and have a little interest in the ottoman Dynasty, this tourist place in Bursa is the best attraction for you. Bursa Fort has been destructed during wars and by an earthquake many times, but you can see the remains of it in the city. The fortress's remaining portions are now both an architectural and historical landmark as well as a component of urban development. The remnants of the fortress wall may be found throughout the city. Here you will discover how it damaged and repaired and numerous towers were added to it under the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman Empires.
Location: Bursa
8. Golyazi Village
One of the most stunning routes to take in Turkey in the autumn is to go to Golyaz, a spot that 17th-century Ottoman explorer Evliya Celebi gushed over in his "Book of Travel." Golyaz, an old village in Turkey's Bursa, may be a lovely autumn getaway. The little peninsula on Lake Uluabat is connected to the mainland by a small bridge. When you will see the place, you will feel like a small stone from the bucket of tourist places in Bursa has been thrown into the lake. If you are a fairytale person, this land also has a prince and princess story. The peninsula is claimed to have evolved from a love story, and the entire history is said to lay beneath the water, why not dive in yourself to find out?
Location: Marmara Region, Bursa
You must have understood by now that there are several places to visit in Bursa that not only provide a stunning view but also house some of the key structures that tell the Ottoman Empire’s rich history. The city of Bursa gathers beauty from its outskirts, and thus gained tourist attraction until it’s known by tourists even before visiting it, mainly due to the diversity of its nature, between sea, mountains, and valleys. Altogether while traveling, one can see a huge range of Places to visit in Bursa. Avail yourself of the best tour packages of Turkey to understand its history and absorb the beautiful landscape of the city.
Places to Visit in Bursa - FAQs
Bursa is a popular tourist destination in Turkey after Istanbul and Cappadocia. Bursa is famous because of its historical features, which include monuments, mosques, and other tourist sites dating from the early Ottoman Empire.
Bursa welcomes tourists all year round. The best time to visit Bursa is in winter between November to March and in Summer one can explore the city between March to June.
One can check the availability of flights to and from Bursa-Yenişehir airport which handles local and international flights. To travel to Bursa by plane from most countries, however, you must first fly to one of Turkey's international airports. The nearest major international airports are Istanbul's Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen.
One can drive from Istanbul to Bursa easily to visit the sites in the city. The shortest distance between Istanbul and Bursa is 155 kilometers, which can be covered in an hour and 20-30 minutes.
Bursa offers various historical and cultural sites to visit, like forts, medieval markets, and mosques. Aside from that, visitors may explore natural wonders like as Golyazi Village, Saitabat Waterfall, and Uludag.
Bursa, in addition to historical sites, provides travelers with opportunities for adventure. One can indulge in a plethora of activities like water skiing, hiking, canyoning, horse riding, horseback riding, paragliding, paramotoring, snow motoring, snow skiing, snowboarding, caravan, and camping.
One can explore the deep textures of history, the taste of naturalness, and the elegance of silk in Koza Han. It provides high-quality diverse silk fabrics, silk scarves, silk shawls, fashion products, accessories, and creative products.
Here are some fantastic Turkey travel suggestions for a stress-free trip.
- Honor the rich culture and customs
- Don't overlook adventurous activities
- Take your passport with you on public transportation
- Maintain hydration
- Take your sunglasses and sunscreen with you
