Your complete guide to Bursa, Turkey. From the Green Mosque to Cumalıkızık village, find the best historic sites, shopping, and famous Iskender kebab spots.
Bursa Travel Guide: Ottoman History, Silk Bazaars & Kebabs
Bursa (or Prusa, Turkish: Bursa) is a city in northwestern Turkey, the fourth-largest in the country after Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Located between the shores of the Sea of Marmara and the winter resorts of Uludağ Mountain, Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage. Most of its landmarks date back to the early Ottoman period. Bursa is renowned for its historical atmosphere, peaches, chestnuts, and silk. The ancient settlements of the Seljuks and Ottomans are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Geography and Climate
Bursa is situated in northwestern Anatolia on the northwestern slopes of Uludağ. The city lies in the southern part of the Sea of Marmara, about 20 km from its coast. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers and cool winters. Sub-zero temperatures and snow are rare.
Practical Information
- Population – over 1.8 million.
- Area – 1,036 km².
- Currency – Turkish Lira.
- Visa – For stays up to 60 days, a passport valid for more than four months from the entry date into Turkey is sufficient.
- Language – Turkish.
- Time – Central European Time (UTC +2, UTC +3 in summer).
Best Time to Visit
Bursa is one of Turkey’s best cities to visit year-round. During the shoulder seasons, you can enjoy comfortable weather while exploring the city’s landmarks and surrounding region. In summer, head to the mountains or the Sea of Marmara coast, and in winter, visit the ski resorts of Uludağ.
History
The first settlements around Bursa emerged 5,200 years ago. In antiquity, the ancient Greek city of Cius was founded here, renamed Prusa in 202 BC. By the 1st century BC, the city came under Roman rule. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it remained part of Byzantium from the 4th to the 14th century.
In 1326, Bursa was conquered by the Ottomans and became the first capital of their empire. After the conquest of Edirne (Adrianople) in Eastern Thrace in 1363, the capital was moved there. During the Ottoman period, Bursa remained a vital city, producing most of the empire’s silk goods.
In 1855, the city suffered severe damage from earthquakes and fires. During the Greco-Turkish War in 1920, it was occupied by Greek forces but was returned to Turkey in 1922. After the founding of the Turkish Republic, Bursa became one of the country’s main industrial centers, leading to rapid population growth and transforming it into one of Turkey’s largest cities.
How to Get There
Bursa has its own airport, but flight options are limited. For air travel, it’s better to use Istanbul’s airports. Bursa is conveniently located between Istanbul and Izmir, making it easily accessible by bus. There is no railway connection.
Shopping and Souvenirs
Koza Han (Silk Bazaar) is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Bursa. This market has existed since the late 15th century.
Cuisine
One of the most popular traditional dishes is Iskender kebab, made with lamb meat, bread pieces, tomato sauce, and yogurt. Another delicious but more affordable option is Pideli Köfte.
Landmarks
Bursa is an ancient city that blends historical charm with modernity. The heart of the old city is the area stretching from the square with the equestrian statue of Atatürk to the Silk Bazaar and the Ulu Cami Mosque. Most of Bursa’s main landmarks are located here.
Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) is one of Bursa’s most important historical structures and a key attraction. Built in 1399, it is one of the finest examples of Seljuk religious architecture in Anatolia, strikingly different from later Ottoman architecture. The mosque features 20 small domes and two towering minarets. Its interior is adorned with intricate wood carvings and calligraphy panels.
The Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami) is a small religious structure built in the early Ottoman architectural style between 1412 and 1419 for Sultan Mehmed I. It is named for the green hues of its interior tiles. Inside, the mosque is decorated with elaborate marble carvings and calligraphy. Nearby are the Tomb of Mehmed I and a museum of Islamic and Turkish culture.
The Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe) is the mausoleum of Mehmed I, built in the 15th century. This small octagonal structure features rich interior decorations.
Muradiye is a historical complex with a park and an ancient cemetery where Ottoman sultans and princes are buried. One of its most notable structures is the Mosque of Murad II, built in 1426.
Hisar is an ancient citadel that forms part of the city’s oldest district, Tophane. Only sections of the defensive walls remain from the old fortress. The area also features many well-preserved historical Ottoman-era houses and the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, the founders of the Ottoman dynasty.
The Tophane Clock Tower stands near the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi within the old citadel’s ruined walls. The original structure was built during the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz (between 1861 and 1876) and later destroyed. The current tower was erected in 1904. It overlooks the city from a cliff edge and is illuminated at night.
Irgandi is a vaulted bridge built in 1442 during the reign of Murad II. Its most unique feature is the bazaar on the bridge, resembling Florence’s Ponte Vecchio.
Cumalıkızık is a charming historic village located 10 km from Bursa. It retains its original cobblestone streets and over 200 Ottoman-era houses, many still featuring original wrought-iron elements.
Bursa: Where the Past Lives Alongside the Present
Bursa is one of those unique places where history feels alive—walking the ancient cobblestone streets of Cumalıkızık, enjoying the cool shade under the grand domes of Ulu Cami, or pausing for a moment at the tombs of the founders of an empire. Here, time seems to flow differently: morning coffee in a cozy café near the Silk Bazaar blends seamlessly into an evening stroll through narrow alleys where the aroma of freshly baked bread wafts from historic homes.
The city doesn’t try to dazzle tourists with flashy attractions—it simply lives its everyday life, and that’s where its true magic lies. Among peach orchards and chestnut-lined avenues, a great empire once rose, and today, the city serves the most delicious Iskender kebab and weaves silk using techniques passed down through generations. Bursa isn’t just an open-air museum—it’s a living organism that breathes history while shaping the future.
