Bursa
Bursa is the first Ottoman capital, with early mosques, silk markets and a cable car up Uludağ.
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Bursa is a city in northwestern Türkiye, a few hours by road from Istanbul across the Sea of Marmara. It was the first capital of the Ottoman state, and its center still has mosques, tombs and bathhouses from the 14th and 15th centuries, plus the Koza Han silk market. The old core and the village of Cumalıkızık are on the UNESCO World Heritage List for early Ottoman architecture.
Go for the Ottoman sights, then add the mountain. Uludağ rises above the city and is reached by cable car, with forest walks in summer and skiing in winter. Bursa is also known for İskender kebab, thin slices of döner meat served over bread with tomato sauce and melted butter. Most historic sights are within walking distance, so one full day covers the core. Add a second day for Uludağ or Cumalıkızık. Spring and autumn suit walking best, and one or two nights is enough for most plans.
Bursa in five
- Walk the UNESCO core in one half-dayBursa and Cumalıkızık are listed together for the early Ottoman complexes, built around mosques, schools and baths. Start at the Grand Mosque and the old bazaar, then walk to the Green Tomb and the other early complexes.UNESCO listing
- Add Cumalıkızık for a village of Ottoman housesThe village is part of the same UNESCO listing and is a short ride from the city. It is quiet on weekdays and busy on weekends, so choose the day to match the crowd you want.
- Take the Uludağ cable car only on a clear dayThe municipal cable car climbs the mountain behind the city, and the summit is cooler and often cloudy. Check the seasonal timetable and the weather before you go; Uludağ is a ski area in winter.
- Decide between a day trip and a night from IstanbulThe route involves a ferry across the Sea of Marmara plus a bus, or a road over the Osmangazi Bridge, so a day trip uses much of the day on transport. A night adds the evening bazaar and an easier morning.Istanbul
Things to do in Bursa
See all attractions in Bursa
Need to know
- Airport
- Istanbul airports are the practical gateways
- Getting there
- Ferry plus bus or road via the Osmangazi Bridge, about 2 to 3 hours from Istanbul
- Getting around
- Metro and buses; the old center is walkable
- Best base
- Around the Grand Mosque and the old bazaar
- Time needed
- 1 night; a long day trip works
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low4°Cold, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low5°ColdFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°CoolMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°MildAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Warm, greenMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°WarmJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°HotJulyClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°HotAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°WarmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°MildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Cool, wetNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Cold, snow nearbyDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow nearby
Average daily high and low in Bursa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bursa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 78%
Bursa
11:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°12°78%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Tue19°12°80%Tuesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Wed16°12°88%Wednesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Thu13°8°96%Thursday: Rain. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Fri12°5°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat12°4°3%Saturday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun13°2°1%Sunday: Clear. High 13°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 1%.
Updated 08:46 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.94 TRY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Feb–MarBaklahoraniIstanbul, a day trip
- JunIstanbul International Music FestivalIstanbul, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Cumalıkızıkabout 30 minutes by car or busAn Ottoman village on the UNESCO list, with stone-and-timber houses.
- Uludağabout 30 minutes by cable car or roadA cooler mountain, a ski area in winter, with changeable weather.
- İznikabout 1.5 hours by carA lake town with Byzantine walls and an Ottoman tile past.
Before you go to Bursa
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Rules for Bursa, checked
- Bursa and Cumalıkızık are on the UNESCO World Heritage List for the early Ottoman complexes in the city and the village of Cumalıkızık.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Bursa
Mosques, bazaars and the Bosphorus
Read the guideEskişehir travel guideA river city with wooden houses to the southeast
Read the guideGallipoli PeninsulaBattlefields and memorials across the Marmara coast
Read the guideGetting around TürkiyeFlights, buses and rail between regions
Read the guideTürkiye e-VisaCheck whether your passport needs one
Read the guideAll of TürkiyeCities, coasts and entry basics for a Türkiye trip
Read the guideBursa FAQ
Is Bursa worth visiting?
Yes, especially for the early Ottoman architecture, the old bazaar and a different pace from Istanbul. It is a cultural stop, not a beach destination, and one night is usually enough.
Can you visit Bursa as a day trip from Istanbul?
Yes, but the ferry-plus-bus or bridge route uses a lot of the day. A night gives you the bazaar in the evening and a calmer morning at the mosque and tombs.
How many days do you need in Bursa?
One night covers the core, the bazaar and a meal. Two nights add Cumalıkızık and a cable-car day on Uludağ if the weather is clear.
What is Bursa famous for?
It is the first Ottoman capital, with a UNESCO-listed core of early complexes, silk and textile bazaars, and İskender kebab. Cumalıkızık is the village in the same listing.
When is the best time to visit Bursa?
April, May, September and October for mild weather and green hills. Summer is hot in the city, winter is cold, and Uludağ draws skiers when snow falls.