Bursa Day Trip from Istanbul with Cable Car & Lunch4.2(183 Reviews)14 hours
From€40.00per person
Listing ID : 68573
4.2(183 Reviews)
Bursa Day Trip from Istanbul with Cable Car & Lunch
14hDuration
Max 12 peopleGroup Size
Arabic, EnglishSpeaking Guide
Mobile ticketAccepted
About this experience
Duration13 Hours
Group SizeSmall Group
Starts AtIstanbul
LanguagesArabic, English
Full-Day Guided Tour
Istanbul: Bursa and Uludag Tour with Lunch and Cable Car
Cross the Sea of Marmara, ascend Mount Olympos, and walk through Ottoman history in a single day.
The Bursa day tour from Istanbul takes you across the Sea of Marmara by ferry to explore one of Turkey's most historically significant cities, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, in a single well-structured day.
Bursa sits at the foot of Mount Olympos and combines layers of Ottoman heritage with a vibrant modern cityscape. From the tile-adorned interior of the Green Mosque to the narrow cobblestone alleys of Cumalikizik village, the city rewards curious travellers at every turn.
A cable car ascent to the alpine heights of Uludag offers sweeping panoramic views over the city and the Marmara plain below. Lunch at a local restaurant, round-trip ferry crossings, and hotel pickup and drop-off are all included, making this a genuinely stress-free excursion.
Tour Highlights
Visit the 14th-century Green Mosque and the Green Tomb, two of the finest examples of early Ottoman architecture in Bursa.
Travel across the Sea of Marmara by ferry, enjoying open-water views on both the outbound and return journeys.
Ascend Mount Olympos by cable car and take in sweeping alpine views over Bursa and the surrounding plain.
Explore Cumalikizik, a 700-year-old village whose Ottoman timber houses and narrow alleys are a UNESCO-listed cultural landmark.
Enjoy a sit-down lunch at a local restaurant featuring Turkish kebap and traditional Bursa cuisine.
Travel with confidence knowing hotel transfers, travel insurance, and all listed admissions are covered in the tour price.
Itinerary
1
Hotel Pickup and Ferry Crossing
Your guide meets you at your European-side Istanbul hotel for the morning departure. The group travels to the ferry port and boards a vessel bound for Yalova across the Sea of Marmara.
2
Arrival in Bursa
An air-conditioned minivan transfers the group from Yalova to Bursa in just over two hours. Your guide provides context on how the city grew from its role as the first Ottoman capital into the thriving metropolis it is today.
3
Green Mosque and Green Tomb
Walk through the early 15th-century Green Mosque, known locally as Yesil Cami, and the adjacent Green Tomb where Sultan Mehmet I was interred in 1421. Both monuments are celebrated for their distinctive tilework and architectural craftsmanship.
4
Lunch and Cable Car Ride
Pause for a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Bursa's cable car station. The 30-minute ride ascends to the peak of Mount Olympos, offering expansive views and free time for photography.
5
Cumalikizik Village
Step into the historic village of Cumalikizik, founded nearly 700 years ago at the dawn of the Ottoman state. Wander lanes too narrow for vehicles and admire timber-frame houses that represent some of the finest surviving examples of Ottoman civil architecture.
6
Return to Istanbul
The group boards the minivan back to the ferry port and re-crosses the Sea of Marmara. A short transfer from the port delivers you back to your hotel just before dinner.
What Is Included
Included
Round-trip hotel transfers from European-side Istanbul
Ferry crossing across the Sea of Marmara (both ways)
Air-conditioned minivan transport in Bursa
Cable car ride on Mount Olympos (approx. 30 minutes)
Guided visits to the Green Mosque and Green Tomb
Lunch at a local restaurant
Travel insurance
Professional English-speaking guide
Not Included
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Gratuities for guide and driver (optional)
Drinks not specified in the itinerary
Pickup from Asian-side Istanbul hotels
Important Information
Please read the details below carefully before booking to ensure this tour is the right fit for your travel plans and physical requirements.
Duration
Approximately 13 hours in total, including travel time by ferry and minivan.
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, along with a light jacket for the cooler temperatures at altitude on Mount Olympos. A valid ID or passport is advisable when crossing by ferry.
Cancellation
Review the cancellation policy at the time of booking. Weather or operational conditions may affect the cable car service, and alternative arrangements may apply.
Accessibility
The tour is rated Easy overall; however, the cobblestone streets in Cumalikizik and some mosque entrances may present challenges for visitors with limited mobility.
Age Range
The tour is suitable for most ages. Children are welcome; please confirm any specific requirements at the time of booking.
Ready to Discover Bursa?
Secure your place on this full-day journey from Istanbul and experience the Ottoman heartland, alpine scenery, and authentic Turkish culture in one remarkable excursion.
Is the cable car ride included in the tour price?▼
Yes. An authentic 30-minute cable car ride on Mount Olympos is included in the standard tour price.
Where does the tour depart from?▼
Pickup is from hotels located on the European side of Istanbul. Hotels on the Asian side of the city are not covered by the included transfer service.
What type of food is served at lunch?▼
Lunch is served at a local restaurant in Bursa and typically features Turkish kebap alongside other traditional dishes. Drinks beyond those specified are at your own expense.
How do we travel between Istanbul and Bursa?▼
The route combines a ferry crossing of the Sea of Marmara to Yalova with onward travel by air-conditioned minivan into Bursa. The same combination is used for the return journey.
What is Cumalikizik and why is it included?▼
Cumalikizik is a village founded approximately 700 years ago and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of early Ottoman settlement. Its timber-frame houses and narrow alleys form part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Is the tour suitable for first-time visitors to Turkey?▼
Yes. The tour is rated Easy and covers transportation, meals, and guided visits, making it well-suited to first-time visitors who want a structured introduction to Ottoman history and Turkish culture beyond Istanbul.
Bursa Day TourIstanbul ExcursionOttoman HistoryGreen MosqueMount Olympos Cable CarUludagCumalikizik VillageSea of Marmara FerryTurkey Cultural TourFull Day Tour IstanbulTurkish CuisineUNESCO Heritage Turkey
This tour connects two of Turkey's most historically significant destinations. Istanbul, spanning Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, serves as the departure point. Travelers cross the Sea of Marmara by ferry to reach Yalova before continuing inland to Bursa, a city situated at the northwestern foot of the Uludag massif in the Marmara Region of northwestern Turkey. Bursa served as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century and today ranks among Turkey's largest urban centers. Uludag, known in antiquity as Mount Olympos of Mysia, rises to over 2,500 meters and is accessible by cable car from the city. The surrounding Marmara Region is noted for its mild climate, fertile plains, and dense Ottoman and Byzantine heritage. Cumalikizik village, located a short drive east of central Bursa, is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2014 as a component of the historic areas of Bursa and Cumalikizik.
Location: Bursa, Marmara Region, Turkey | Departure City: Istanbul, Turkey | Nearby Landmark: Uludag National Park, Green Mosque (Yesil Cami), Green Tomb (Yesil Turbe), Cumalikizik Village | Region Type: Historical Capital, Mountain Resort, UNESCO Heritage Zone | Travel Mode: Ferry + Minivan + Cable Car | Tour Category: Cultural Day Tour, History Tour, Nature Excursion
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