Bursa is one of Turkey’s most important historical cities and is chock-a-block stuffed with monuments, mosques, and other tourist attractions dating from the early years of the Ottoman Empire.
It’s also one of the best places to visit for touring foodies, as it is home base for Turkey’s Iskender kebap, one of the most famous kebab dishes in the country.
Sprawling at the foot of the mighty mountain of Uludağ, Bursa also offers plenty of things to do outdoors for more active-minded travelers.
In winter, Uludağ is a major winter sports destination, home to Turkey’s most popular ski resort, while the Bursa Teleferik cable car operates year-round up the slopes for those who want to add some mountain scenery into their city sightseeing itinerary.
Easily reached from Istanbul by regular ferries across the Marmara Sea and then a short bus ride, Bursa makes for a good add-on to an Istanbul visit.
Bursa is also an excellent stop-off point for Turkey trips heading down to the Aegean or Mediterranean coast.
Find out how to plan your time in the city with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Bursa.
1. Ride the Bursa Teleferik
One of the world’s longest cable cars, the Bursa Teleferik whizzes up the slopes of Uludağ (Grand Mountain).
The ride covers 8.2 kilometers up the side of the mountain, and it takes 22 minutes to get to the final station at 1,810 meters above sea level.
In winter, the cable car is used by skiers and snowboarders to transport them to Uludağ’s ski resort facilities, one of Turkey’s top winter destinations, but the cable car is a tourist attraction in itself for its scenic views, and operates year-round.
Along the way, the scenery swoops over thickly forested lower slopes, with one side providing prime vistas of the jagged mountain peak, and from the other side, the sprawl of Bursa city below.
It’s a great activity for families if the kids need a break from Bursa’s historic attractions, and if you’re traveling in the summer months, the crisp mountain air at the top station provides a respite from the heat.
Address: Teferrüç Istasyonu 88
2. Shop and Sightsee in the Central Bazaar
Bursa was a prominent stop on the Silk Route trails between east and west, and its central city area is replete with finely restored buildings from its grandest era.
The Central Bazaar is a vast labyrinth of covered market streets, caravanserais where traders once slept, and warehouses where goods were stored. Many of the warehouse buildings (called bedestans) and caravanserais (called hans) are now home to shops, and their tranquil leafy central courtyards are used as outdoor cafés.
One of the most famous buildings in this neighborhood is the Koza Han, which dates from 1490. The arched cells on the two-story levels of this caravanserai now host stores specializing in silk products, while the large shaded courtyard at its center is home to various cafés.
Address: Uzun Çarşı Caddesi
3. Stroll the Alleys of Cumalıkızık
For a taste of years gone by, head into the hill villages that sit on the outskirts of Bursa.
The most famous of these villages is Cumalıkızık, just 14 kilometers east from the central city.
Here, the cobblestone alleyways are rimmed with old houses, some finely preserved, and others slouching into various states of dilapidation. They’re built in typical Ottoman style, with stonework and adobe walls with wood beam detailing. Some of the houses date as far back as the earliest period of the Ottoman era.
Due to their historical importance, the villages in this area were included as part of Bursa’s UNESCO World Heritage listing.
There’s not much for visitors to actually do in Cumalıkızık. Instead, a visit here is simply about wandering the alleys and soaking up the old-world rural atmosphere amid the windy lanes while marveling that a place like this still survives, just on the doorstep of one of Turkey’s most bustling cities.
Some of the houses have been turned into cafés and restaurants, and many Bursa locals descend on the village during sunny weekends for lunch. Various village locals have also set up stalls on the alleyways to sell traditional handicrafts.
Address: Cumalıkızık Caddesi
4. Muradiye Tombs
Bursa was the first Ottoman-era capital, and this complex holds the tombs of some of the empire’s earliest sultans and family.
Anyone with an interest in the artistic heritage of the Ottoman period will appreciate a visit here, as the tombs are decorated with exceptional examples of artwork from the era–replete with colorful tile work and intricate calligraphy.
There are 12 tombs set into the site. Two of the most historically important include the tomb of Sultan Murat II (father to Mehmed the Conqueror, who conquered Constantinople) and that of the famed Cem Sultan (third son of Mehmed the Conqueror), who died in exile in Italy having lost the battle of succession with his brother who became Beyazit II.
Address: Murat Caddesi
5. Ski on Uludağ
Within easy reach of both Istanbul and Bursa, Uludağ is Turkey’s busiest winter ski resort, which is full of things to do in the winter.
The resort area ranges from between 1,767 meters and 2,322 meters above sea level, with 28 kilometers of slopes available, ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
It’s particularly good for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, with a plentiful variety of trails to choose from. Facilities are modern, and transport between the various slopes is made easy with 24 different ski lifts on-site.
The main resort area has a range of mid-range and luxury hotels, as well as restaurants and cafés. If you don’t have your own ski equipment, there are various hire shops where you can rent all the equipment you need for a day on the slopes.
The main ski resort area, 31 kilometers south of central Bursa, can be reached either by road or by the scenic ride on Bursa’s Teleferik cable car. The ski season normally lasts from December through the end of March.
