Bursa Turkey Travel Guide 2026: Silk, Ottoman History and Mount Uludag

Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, set on the slopes of Uludağ across the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul. Its early sultans built mosques, tombs, baths and inns here, and UNESCO inscribed the city and the nearby village of Cumalıkızık in 2014 as the birthplace of the Ottoman state. Today it is a large, green and very Turkish city, known for İskender kebab, silk, thermal baths and winter sports.

Bursa at a glance

Detail	Summary
—	—
Best for	Early Ottoman architecture, food, Uludağ skiing, thermal baths
Time to allow	2 days (our suggestion)
Best months	April to June and September to October; December to March for skiing
Base	The city center near Koza Han
UNESCO	Bursa and Cumalıkızık, inscribed 2014

What to see

The UNESCO sites

UNESCO’s listing covers eight component sites in Bursa and Cumalıkızık. They show how a new capital was laid out around kulliyes, complexes that combined a mosque, school, bath and public kitchen, and they include the tomb of Orhan Ghazi, founder of the Ottoman dynasty. Start with the Muradiye Complex, the Green Mosque and the Ulu Mosque in the city center.

Koza Han and the bazaar

The Koza Han is the old silk trade inn at the heart of the bazaar district, now full of tea gardens and silk shops, and a good place for breakfast. Nearby, the Grand Bazaar area has inns that sell towels and textiles, a Bursa specialty.

Cumalıkızık

Cumalıkızık is a village about 11 km from the city center, with wooden Ottoman houses, narrow streets and a daily market in the village square. UNESCO calls it the only rural village in the system to show how the capital’s hinterland supported it. Go in the morning, before the weekend crowds.

Uludağ

Uludağ rises about 36 km south of the city. It is a winter sports center, and the best season for skiing runs from late December to late March, with trekking in summer. Check conditions and lift status before you go.

Anatolian Cars Museum

The Anatolian Cars Museum tells the story of the car in Anatolia and is a good wet-weather option.

Eating in Bursa

İskender kebab, thin slices of döner on bread with tomato sauce, melted butter and yogurt, is the city’s signature dish. Candied chestnut (kestane şekeri) is the sweet to take home. See our food guide.

Two days in Bursa (suggested plan)

Day 1. The Muradiye Complex, the Green Mosque and the Ulu Mosque in the morning, İskender kebab for lunch, Koza Han and the bazaar in the afternoon.
Day 2. Cumalıkızık in the morning, then Uludağ (in season) or the Anatolian Cars Museum and a thermal bath.

When to go

Bursa has a mild, wet climate with four seasons. April to June and September to October are the most comfortable. Winters are cool and wet in the city and snowy on Uludağ, and summers are warm.

Month	Average high (°C)	Average low (°C)	Rainy days	Sunshine (hours a day)
—	—	—	—	—
Jan	9.6	1.8	15	2.9
Feb	10.9	2.2	13	3.4
Mar	13.9	3.6	13	4.2
Apr	19	7.2	11	5.8
May	23.9	11.4	9	7.7
Jun	28.4	15	6	9.7
Jul	31	17.3	3	10.7
Aug	31.1	17.4	3	10
Sep	27.3	13.8	5	7.9
Oct	22	10.2	9	5.6
Nov	16.7	6.5	11	4.1
Dec	11.7	3.6	14	2.9

Source: Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), Bursa station, 1927 to 2025.

Getting there and around

Bursa lies across the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul. Most visitors arrive by bus, or by ferry and road. A day trip from Istanbul is possible but long, so a night in Bursa is more relaxed. In the city, the metro and buses connect the center, and taxis reach Cumalıkızık and the Uludağ cable car. See our getting around guide.