The places to visit in Bursa offer a truly excellent combination to visitors with its historical importance, cuisine and nature. Either have a long holiday or a mini weekend away here, it is impossible to get bored. But let’s put it this way, you will be quite confused when you get hungry in Bursa! Yes, you might think like “We can go to eat İskender kebab!” right away, but the cuisine of Bursa is quite rich and believe us, the foods are all so delicious.
Let’s explore this wonderful city, which was once the capital of the Ottoman Empire. How about we start with some of the best places to visit in Bursa?
Travel in Time: The historical places of Bursa
Bursa, it is a city that carries the traces of great empires such as the Roman, Byzantium and Ottoman Empires. Cumalıkızık Village is a place to visit in Bursa, Türkiye where history can be seen around every corner and time stands still. Therefore, if you have a deep passion for the past, this village will definitely fill you up with history.
Grand Mosque
When it comes to the best places to visit in Bursa, we must start with the building that first comes to mind, namely the Grand Mosque. Carrying architectural traces of the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, the Grand Mosque was built between 1396 and 1400. The most remarkable detail that renders this mosque special is its minbar, carved from walnut, which is engraved with a representation of the Milky Way galaxy. You should definitely see this stunning detail in person and feel the enchanting atmosphere inside the Grand Mosque. The mosque rises in magnificence in the middle of the city with two minarets that are impossible to miss.
Koza Han and Region of Caravansaries
Many caravansaries are located in Bursa. The historical origin of these caravansaries date back to the trade on Silk Road. As it is well-known, the most important product of this road is silk, the best of which is originated in Bursa! Koza Han, which was built as a place to stay for traders traveling for trade along the Silk Road, is the most famous one of the caravansaries in Bursa. In our day, when you go to Koza Han, which has become a place for product sales, you can sit in the garden and have a relaxing time while sipping your tea or Turkish coffee after shopping.
The Fidan Han, Geyve Han, Emir Han and Balibey Han caravanserais are also wonderful places to see in Bursa!
The Green Mosque and the Green Tomb
Every city has buildings that have become iconic and are representative of the city. While exploring the historical places to visit in Bursa, Türkiye it is impossible to miss these two buildings that exemplify Bursa.
Do you know why the adjective green was added to the name of Bursa? Yes, Bursa is a city that is rich in greenery, but the main reason that the city is called Green Bursa is because of the Green Mosque and the Green Tomb. The historical Green Mosque is a remarkable sanctuary with unique tile coverings.
Additionally, the Green Tomb, just one street behind the Green Mosque, is one of the symbolic buildings of the city with architectural beauty and its visibility from every point of Bursa. The detail that renders this tomb special among the Ottoman architectural works is that it is the only tomb where entire walls are covered with tiling.
There are many places to go in Bursa, the ‘City of Saints’. There are also social complexes in addition to the mosques and tombs such as the Emir Sultan Mosque and Social Complex and the Muradiye Social Complex–both are places that you must see during your trip.
Tophane Clock Tower and Tombs of Osman Ghazi and Orhan Ghazi
Now let’s turn our direction to Tophane Park, which is the most popular location among the places to visit in Bursa. Here, you will see Tophane Clock Tower in all its glory. It has six floors rising 65 metres high. After climbing the historical tower, viewing Bursa from above, and taking magnificent photos, you can visit the tombs of Osman Ghazi and Orhan Ghazi, also located in Tophane Park. Bursa Castle, also located in the Tophane district, is one of the oldest structures in Bursa, having witnessed much of its history.
Irgandı Bridge
You may have heard of the expression “oldies but goodies”, this is true for the Irgandı Bridge. The bridge underwent a major earthquake and was bombed during the Independence War but is still standing thanks to its durable construction. Of all the places to visit in Bursa, Türkiye, this one is found in the Yıldırım region. The historical bridge looks very similar to other bridges at first glance, but it distinguishes itself from the others with one detail. The Bursa Irgandı Bridge has a marketplace on top, where traditional handicrafts are still exhibited. Moreover, there are few bridges in the world that still have marketplaces. When exploring Bursa, make sure to visit this unique bridge and do not forget to take lots of photos!
Worth seeing: Museums of Bursa
Culture, art, and history virtually springs out of this city! Therefore, if you would like to spend some time in museums you should get a pen and paper and make a list, because there are many museums worth seeing here. For example, you can start exploring with the entertaining Bursa Karagöz Museum, where there are depictions of Karagöz’ plays. Then, you can take a trip to learn about the history of the car industry by visiting the Tofaş Museum of Cars and Anatolian Carriages, which is the only one of its kind in Türkiye. On your list of where to visit in Bursa, the Hünkar Mansion Museum, the Bursa Conquest Museum, Bursa City Museum, Bursa Migration History Museum and Merinos Energy Museum should all be included!
The place to enjoy winter: Uludağ Ski Centre:
Winter sports enthusiasts; let’s take you here, Uludağ is next on the list! The first address when it comes to skiing, Uludağ has the biggest winter and nature sports centre in Türkiye. Fascinating people with its wonderful landscape and as it is snowy between October and April; there are 15 private and 12 official accommodation centres in Uludağ. Moreover, there are many teleski and chairlift lines belonging to these accommodation centres. Indeed, you do not have to do winter sports at Uludağ Ski Centre. You can go on long nature walks on the magnificent walking track in Uludağ National Park. Besides, the taste of sausage and bread will be exquisite after spending energy, will it not?
On the other hand, transportation to Bursa Uludağ is extremely easy. You can go up the mountain in half an hour by telpher. You can reach Bursa station of the telpher line by your private car or by the bus numbered 94 departing from Bursa Bus Terminal.
Too many options, hard decisions: What to eat in Bursa?
We have come to the most appetising part! We will warn you in advance; you will say “I wish I was eating this now!” when reading this. The first thing to do on the list of most people’s places to visit in Bursa, is to go out to a restaurant to eat the legendary Bursa İskender kebab. Yes, you should definitely eat the famous kebab, but you should also leave some space in your stomach for other delicious local dishes of Bursa.
For example, there is a reality called pita and meatballs in Bursa. People rush into the city from all over Türkiye to eat these meatballs, which is at least as famous as İskender kebab. In addition, Bursa simit, cantık pita, delicious tahini pita and indeed the famous candied chestnuts are the other iconised delicacies of the city. In addition to these delicacies, if you want to have a nice breakfast having come all the way to Bursa, just keep in mind the Cumalıkızık Village, an Ottoman period heritage. Because an incredibly enjoyable breakfast blended with local products awaits you here.
And by the way, do not forget to take Bursa candied chestnuts as a gift to your loved when getting back to your city, or they may get cross with you!
Do not get back without seeing: Places to visit around Bursa
Bursa is an ideal city for travellers who want to fit several different routes into the same trip. Because there are incredibly beautiful places to see around there. For example, Mudanya and Tirilye, two highly adorable seaside towns, are an excellent alternative for travellers who want to get away from the city and breathe in sea air. Moreover, there is the Mudanya Armistice House, which is of key importance in terms of our history, among the places to visit in Mudanya, Bursa.
The list of places to visit in Bursa is quite long, but the other places you shouldn’t leave without seeing are Gölyazı, the islet on Lake Ulubat, İznik, which is famous for its lake and historical sites, Suuçtu Waterfall, which is a real natural wonder, Soğanlı Botanical Park, and the İnkaya (Grand) Plane tree, which is over 600 years old, which can be reached from the Uludağ road.
Accommodation alternatives in Bursa
If you would like to fully explore the city during your trip in Bursa, you can stay in the hotels or hostels in Osmangazi, Nilüfer and Çekirge districts located in the centre. Especially if you are taking off with a winter holiday concept, the thermal hotels majorly located in the Çekirge district will be an ideal choice for you. For winter sports or a nature holiday, the address to accommodate is already obvious: Uludağ!
The transportation routes to Bursa
There are many transportation alternatives to Bursa, which is located in the Southern Marmara Region. Transportation by land, sea or airway is possible. This means that you can go to Bursa with your private car or you can use intercity buses. Also, if you would like to travel from İstanbul, you can take the ferry from Pendik and Yenikapı piers, or you can take the sea bus from Kadıköy.
Bursa Yenişehir Airport, which has been operating since 2000, is another alternative to travel to the city. After landing at the airport; you can go to the city centre by car rental, taxi or bus.
The beauties of Bursa have also made you excited, has it not? For travelling to this city, which is attracting in every aspect, from its history to its nature, from its tantalising food culture to its museums, you can get a plane ticket to Bursa!
We wish you a good trip in advance!
