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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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