Bursa Hotels

Bursa, which was taken over by Orhan Bey from Byzantium in 1326 and became the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, is today the 4th largest city in Turkey. Founded on the foothills of Uludağ in the south of the Marmara Sea, the city offers both the pleasure of the sea and the pleasure of skiing on the mountain. Even in the hottest days of summer, Uludağ, where you can definitely see whiteness on its summit, winks at tourists with its majesty and the deep blue Marmara Sea with its charm. Bursa welcomes many tourists from Turkey and abroad for business and congress tourism, winter tourism, summer sea tourism, history and cultural tourism at all times of the year. Bursa, which is especially visited by Arab tourists in summer, has many different accommodation options. Bursa hotels are mainly located in the city center, Uludag or by the sea in Mudanya and Tirilye. In addition to luxury hotels, you can also find many boutique and apart-hotels. By staying in Bursa boutique hotels, you can easily reach the city center or other points in a short time with a single vehicle. In addition to providing all kinds of facilities to its visitors, Bursa hotels also offer facilities such as congress and meeting halls so that they can conduct their business comfortably. No matter which part of the city your preferred Bursa hotel is located, you will be accompanied by a different view during your vacation. When you wake up in the morning, you will either see the deep blue sea, Uludağ covered with white snow, or an Ottoman city in the pages of history.

When to Go on Vacation to Bursa?

The best times to visit Bursa for a vacation are usually during the spring and autumn months. April and May in the spring, as well as September and October in the fall, are ideal for enjoying Bursa. During these months, the weather is generally mild, making it a great time to visit for those who want to avoid extreme heat or cold.

How to Get to Bursa?

Bursa is a city that connects Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara, located right in the center of these three major cities. It has a well-developed transportation network, with frequent bus services from almost every part of Turkey. In addition to buses, you can also reach Bursa by sea or air.

The Bursa Bus Terminal is located about 10 km from the city center, while Bursa’s airport is in Yenişehir, approximately 40 km from the city center.

If you are traveling from Istanbul to Bursa by sea, you can reach the city more conveniently and in a shorter time. The journey from Istanbul to Bursa takes about 75-80 minutes. You can take the IDO ferries to Mudanya or the BUDO ferries to Güzelyalı and then use local transportation to reach the city center.

Another option is the seaplanes traveling from Istanbul to Bursa’s Gemlik district, from where you can use local transportation to get to the city center.

If you plan to drive to Bursa, here are some approximate distances and travel times:

• Istanbul - Bursa: About 245 km, around 4 hours and 10 minutes (If you take an IDO ferry to Mudanya, the journey is about 75 minutes. You can also shorten the trip by taking the Yalova Eskihisar - Topçular Ferry.)
• Izmir - Bursa: About 330 km, around 4.5 hours.
• Ankara - Bursa: About 385 km, around 5 hours.
• Kocaeli - Bursa: About 150 km, around 2.5 hours.
• Eskişehir - Bursa: About 125 km, around 2 hours.
• Balıkesir - Bursa: About 150 km, around 2 hours and 10 minutes.
• Yalova - Bursa: About 70 km, around 1 hour.

Must-Visit Places in Bursa

There are so many places you should see in a big city like Bursa, famous for its history, culture, natural beauties and parks...
First of all, you should go to Uludağ, ski if it's in season and look at Bursa from the hills of Uludağ. You can visit Uludağ National Park. If you have time, you can go to the Inkaya Historical Sycamore, which is about 600 years old, on the Uludağ Road.
You can go to the hot springs and healing waters on Uludağ Road and Oylat and have a nice day.  You can go to the Botanical Park, Zoo and Kültürpark. You can go to Yeşil and Emirsultan and visit the historical mosques and tombs and sip your tea or coffee against the wonderful Bursa view in the tea gardens in Yeşil.
If you want, you can visit the historical Grand Bazaar and Open Bazaar in the center of Bursa and do a lot of shopping. You can visit places such as the historical Koza Han, Pirinç Han and İpek Han.You should definitely see Bursa's many historical mosques (Ulucami, Yeşil Mosque, Emirsultan Mosque, Murat I Mosque...) and complexes. You can visit Ataturk's Mansion and museum in Bursa Çekirge, Bursa Archeology Museum, Turkish Islamic Art Museum, Mudanya Armistice Building and Iznik Museum.
You can visit Çekirge, one of the oldest settlements of Bursa, where Karagöz and Hacivat are buried. You can go to seaside districts such as Tirilye and Güzelyalı and take a walk, sightsee and get sea air.
You can go to Cumalıkızık, one of the oldest villages established on the foothills of Uludağ, and after a nice and organic breakfast, you can stroll through the narrow streets of the village where the stream flows thinly.
You can go to Uluabat Lake, Gölyazı and Aglayan Çınar on the Karacabey Road. You can go to Suuçtu Waterfall in Mustafakemalpaşa district.

Shopping Tips in Bursa

Silk Products: Bursa is one of Turkey's silk production centers and is known for its famous Bursa silk. Dresses, scarves, ties and other textiles made of silk can be found in places like the Grand Bazaar and Tophane.

Yeşil Çamurlu Hot Springs: One of the natural beauties of Bursa, green mud is used for skin care and is believed to have various health benefits. You can visit the hot springs and buy green mud products.

Ottoman Style Handicrafts: Bursa is also famous for its Ottoman-style handicrafts as it was an important center of the Ottoman Empire. You can buy products such as ceramics decorated with Ottoman motifs, china plates, copper embroidery.

Chestnut Candy: Chestnut candy, one of Bursa's famous desserts, can be found in local markets and confectioneries. Chestnut candy, a traditional dessert, can sweeten your shopping in Bursa.

Ottoman Style Carpets:Bursa is one of the most important carpet production centers in Turkey. You can buy Ottoman-style carpets in carpet stores in areas such as Grand Bazaar and Soğukpınar Street.

Olives and Olive Oil: Olives and olive oil obtained from olive groves near Bursa are also important products of the region. You can buy locally produced olives and olive oil in local markets and olive groves.

Bursa Entertainment Suggestions

Uludag Ski Center

Uludag Ski Center, a popular destination for skiing in winter, is about 40 km from Bursa. Here you can ski, snowboard on the slopes or enjoy the mountain view from the cable car.

Uludag Cable Car Tour

You can take the Uludağ Cable Car Tour to see the magnificent view of Bursa. You can take the cable car to the top to enjoy panoramic views of the city and enjoy the nature.

Cultural Events and Festivals

Various cultural events and festivals organized in Bursa allow you to experience the vibrant culture of the city. 

History of Bursa

Bursa is known as one of the oldest settlement areas in Anatolia and has hosted many different civilizations throughout history. In ancient times, Bursa and its surroundings were under the rule of various civilizations such as the Lydians, Persians, and Macedonians. In the 3rd century BC, it became part of the Kingdom of Pergamon. Later, it became a part of the Roman Empire and then came under the dominance of the Byzantine Empire.

After the arrival of the Turks in Anatolia, Bursa became an important city. It was conquered by the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century and then taken by the Ottomans in the 13th century. Bursa served as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. The city was conquered by the Ottomans in 1326 but briefly came under the control of the Timurid Empire after the attack of Timur in 1402. However, following the Battle of Ankara in 1402, the Ottomans regained control of Bursa.

During the Ottoman period, Bursa became a significant trade and cultural center. The city gained fame with its rich history and architectural heritage. Bursa grew and developed with immigrants from all over the Ottoman Empire. It became a major stop on the Silk Road and was renowned for its silk trade. Additionally, Bursa became a center where many important structures, including mosques, madrasahs, inns, baths, and complexes, were built during the Ottoman era.

With the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century, Bursa evolved into one of Turkey's key industrial and commercial hubs.

What is Bursa Famous For?

Silk Production and Silk Weaving: Bursa was famous for its silk production during the Ottoman Empire and remains one of Turkey’s important silk production centers. Bursa silk is known for its fine texture and elegant patterns.
Historical and Cultural Heritage: As the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa is home to many historical structures. Notable sites include Yeşil Mosque, Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami), Bursa Castle, Muradiye Complex, and Ottoman tombs.
Uludağ Ski Resort: Uludağ is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bursa, especially for winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.
Lush Green Nature and Botanical Parks: Bursa is known for its green landscapes and natural beauty. The city offers botanical parks, green spaces, and forests where visitors can relax and connect with nature.
İskender Kebab: One of Bursa’s most famous dishes is İskender Kebab, a world-renowned dish invented by İskender Efendi. It consists of döner meat served with hot butter and tomato sauce.
Thermal Hot Springs: Bursa is also known for its thermal waters. There are many thermal baths and hotels in Çekirge, Çelik Palas, Oylat, and Gökçedere, which attract visitors seeking health benefits.
Traditional Handicrafts: Bursa is famous for its traditional crafts such as tilework, silk weaving, copper engraving, and wood carving.

Where to Swim in Bursa?

Mudanya: Mudanya is one of the closest coastal towns to Bursa. Located on the Marmara Sea, it is about an hour’s drive from Bursa. Mudanya’s beaches and sandy shores are popular during the summer months.

Gemlik: Another seaside town near Bursa is Gemlik, located on the Marmara Sea. Gemlik’s beaches and coastline offer a good option for those looking to enjoy the sea.

Güzelyalı: Güzelyalı, located by Lake İznik, is a peaceful coastal town in Bursa. Its lakeside beaches provide a natural setting for those seeking relaxation by the water.

Best Things to Do in Bursa

Visit Uludağ, and if it's winter, go skiing; if it's summer, enjoy a picnic.
Shop in Bursa’s historical bazaars and inns, and buy authentic Bursa silk.
Explore Muradiye and Tophane, then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea at Tophane with a stunning view of Bursa.
Visit historical mosques and tombs, including the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi in Tophane.
Explore Yeşil Mosque and Tomb, Emir Sultan Mosque, and Atatürk's House in Çekirge.
Discover Bursa’s museums, such as the Bursa Archaeology Museum and the Turkish Islamic Art Museum.
Stop by the 600-year-old İnkaya Plane Tree along the Uludağ Road and enjoy seasonal fresh fruits.
Visit Gölyazı Village by Lake Uluabat and see the Ağlayan Çınar (Crying Plane Tree).
Have an organic breakfast in Cumalıkızık Village, a historical Ottoman village.
Enjoy the healing waters of Oylat Hot Springs in İnegöl.
Take a scenic walk through Bursa’s city center, passing by Tophane, Grand Mosque, Heykel, and Yeşil neighborhoods.
Try water skiing at Bursa Sukaypark, the first cable water skiing facility in Turkey.
Ride a bike or stroll through Botanic Park, or visit the Bursa Zoo.
Enjoy fresh seafood and a scenic walk along the coast in Mudanya, Tirilye, or Güzelyalı.
Visit Gemlik, take a relaxing walk, and enjoy fresh fish by the sea.

Food and Drink Recommendations in Bursa

İskender Kebab: When in Bursa, trying İskender Kebab is a must. First made in Kayhan Bazaar in 1867, it has now become a world-famous dish. You can find the most authentic version at the original İskender Kebab restaurant in Bursa.

Pideli Köfte (Meatballs with Pita): A delicious local dish that you should try, especially at Kayhan Bazaar or restaurants near the Grand Mosque.

İnegöl Köfte: If you visit İnegöl, be sure to taste its famous meatballs.

Kemalpaşa Dessert: Named after the Mustafakemalpaşa district, this delicious sweet treat is best enjoyed with clotted cream or ice cream.

Candied Chestnuts (Kestane Şekeri): Bursa is known for its chestnut candies, available in various forms such as chestnut candy chips, chestnut paste, chestnut jam, chocolate-covered chestnuts, and "Karyoka," a chestnut-based chocolate treat.

Olives and Olive Oil: Bursa, particularly Gemlik, produces some of the finest black and green olives and olive oil in Turkey.

Bursa’s Famous Peaches: If you visit during spring or summer, don’t miss out on Bursa’s delicious peaches.

Mihaliç Cheese: A salty, flavorful cheese from Karacabey, perfect for breakfast.

Other Local Delicacies: Don’t leave Bursa without trying chestnut kebab, stuffed cabbage with chestnuts, milk kadayıf, cantık (Bursa-style meat pastry), liver dolma, butcher’s meatballs, walnut delight, buttered ekmek kadayıf, tahini pita, Bursa simit, and höşmerim.
Additionally, Bursa is home to various restaurants offering Turkish and international cuisine, grill and kebab restaurants, fast food spots, and cafes serving toast and gözleme (savory pancakes).

Editor's Recommendation: If you visit Bursa, make sure to stop by Koza Evi in Misi Village, run by the Nilüfer Misi Women’s Culture and Solidarity Association. Here, you can enjoy authentic Bursa dishes, including chestnut lamb stew and milk helva, which will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.