Last updated on March 14, 2024.

One of the most exciting cities to visit in Turkey is Bursa. With a colorful history, great food, and interesting architecture, this former capital of the Ottoman Empire has a lot to offer.

Bursa sign near the Green Tomb in Bursa, Turkey
Bursa sign near the Green Tomb

 

History

Bursa was founded in 202 BC by King Prusias I of Bithynia. He named the city Prusa (Προῦσα) after himself. In 74 BC, King Nicomedes IV bequeathed the entire kingdom of Bithynia, including the city of Prusa, to the Roman Empire.

The Ottomans conquered the city from the Byzantines in 1326 and made it the first major capital city of their empire and their second overall capital. It served as such until 1363, when the capital moved to Edirne. During the Ottoman period, Bursa was an important center for silk production.

After the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 1923, Bursa became a major industrial center. Most of Turkey’s automotive industry is based there. The city is the 4th most populous in Turkey.

One of Bursa’s markets in Bursa, Turkey
One of Bursa’s markets

 

Planning

Most tourists come on a quick day trip from Istanbul, but at least an overnight is recommended to properly see this UNESCO World Heritage listed city. With more time, you can visit other nearby towns and villages such as Cumalıkızık. A couple options are available to get you to Bursa from Istanbul, including buses and ferries.

Bursa has a good variety of hotels in the historic city center. There are modern hotels for all budgets as well as boutique hotels in Ottoman buildings. There are also plenty of good restaurants scattered around town serving local specialties such as İskender kebab as well as other Turkish dishes.

Another positive is there are interpretive panels in both Turkish and English outside just about every historic building in the city.

 

Tourist Info Booth

If you’re looking for options on what to see and do in Bursa that you can’t find on my website, there’s a tourist info booth next to Gazi Orhan Park in the hear of the historic city center.

Tourist info booth
Tourist info booth

 

Getting Around

The historic city center of Bursa and surrounding areas are easily walkable. Getting to other parts of the city further away is also doable on foot, but much easier using public transportation or a taxi. Taxis to places such as Çekirge or the Muradiye Complex are convenient and affordable.

Bursa sign in Gazi Orhan Park in Bursa, Turkey
Bursa sign in Gazi Orhan Park

 

Public Transportation

The public transportation system is run by Burulaş. It’s reliable and includes a bus, metro (Bursaray), and tram system (Burtram). To ride them, you can purchase a BursaKart for 50₺ (as of March 2024) from a machine at any metro station. Adding credit can be done at the machines or at several kiosks throughout the city.

Bursaray
Bursaray

With a BursaKart, riding the metro costs 12₺, the tram is 9.10₺, and the bus varies by route. Transfers are also discounted. If you don’t have a BursaKart, single rides on the metro cost 30₺. All fares are current as of March 2024. Visit the website for up-to-date fare information.

Minibuses accepting cash only also run throughout the city on certain routes. We only took the minibus twice – once to get from the ferry terminal to Emek Metro Station, and another time leaving Cumalıkızık to get back to the city.

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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