Bursa in Pictures
Hotels, tours and attractions in Bursa, Turkey
Bursa
Bursa is located in the Marmara Region in northwestern Anatolia, at the foot of Mount Uludağ. The city is relatively close to the region's major centers - Istanbul, Yalova and Balıkesir, making it a convenient stop for trips along the Sea of Marmara coast and the interior of Turkey.
Bursa is known as a historic city and was the first capital of the Ottoman state, which is reflected in its architecture, Islamic shrines and the mausoleums of the dynasty's founders. The city center preserves numerous mosques, caravanserais and madrasas, as well as old quarters that tell the centuries-long story of the transition from the Byzantine period to the Ottoman heyday.
The city has earned a reputation as a green city - many neighborhoods and surroundings are filled with gardens, parks and the forests on Uludağ's slopes. Bursa is also known as the birthplace of Bursa silk and a special variety of peaches called şeftali, prized for their aroma and sweetness. Historic thermal springs add to the city's role as a health destination, with modern spas and hammams.
Tourism in Bursa is diverse: cultural and educational excursions, health and thermal tourism, skiing and active recreation on Uludağ, as well as gastronomic and rural trips through orchards and vineyards are all popular. The infrastructure includes first-class hotels, cozy guesthouses and a sufficient selection of restaurants and cafes.
Key areas for tourists - the historic center in the Osmangazi district with its mosques and markets, the Yıldırım district with the sultans' mausoleums, the modern Nilüfer district with parks and shopping centers, and the Uludağ mountain area for nature lovers and winter sports enthusiasts.
The city has Yenişehir airport, located about 40 km from the center, and good road connections with Istanbul and other major cities in the region. The climate is mild maritime with cool, wet winters and warm summers - the best times to sightsee are spring and autumn, while in winter Uludağ attracts skiing fans.
Fascinating places for excursions and travel
Bursa - thermal springs, Mount Uludağ and Ottoman mosques.
Bursa - Uludağ
Uludağ is Bursa's main natural attraction, drawing tourists year-round: in winter it is one of Turkey's well-known ski resorts with a developed network of slopes and lifts, and in summer the mountain trails, cypress and coniferous forests invite hiking and picnicking.
In the historical part of the city tourists should see Ulu Cami - a large 15th-century mosque with unique woodcarving and 20 domes, the Green Mosque with its richly decorated interior, and Koza Han - an old caravanserai and center of the silk trade. The Tophane area offers panoramic views of the city and a complex of mausoleums of the founders of the Ottoman state.
Bursa is included on UNESCO's World Heritage list together with the village of Cumalıkızık and Uludağ for examples of early Ottoman architecture and traditional rural landscape. For museum lovers there are archaeological and ethnographic exhibitions, and in the city's markets workshops for silkwork and craft shops remain.
Tourism in Bursa combines historical tours, wellness trips to thermal springs, active mountain recreation and gastro-tours. The local cuisine is famous for its traditions and signature dishes, including special meat and bread products, as well as desserts. The best seasons to visit depend on the purpose - winter for skiing, spring and autumn for city and countryside walks.
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