Car with Driver In Bursa

Uludag and the Teleferik cable car

Uludag, the great green mountain above Bursa, is the usual start of a private Bursa day. The Teleferik cable car climbs from the edge of the city over pine forest, and it is one of the longest cable car rides in the world. The mountain has long been a place of retreat, and in winter it is Turkey's best-known ski area. Many visitors search for the Uludag cable car and how to get there, and a private car takes you directly to the station.

The air at the top is cooler than in the city, so bring a light jacket. On cloudy days the timing may change, and your driver adjusts the day around the weather. Cable car tickets are bought at the station unless our team confirms otherwise, and you decide whether to stay for photographs or a longer break.

Cumalikizik village and the Inkaya Plane Tree

Cumalikizik is an Ottoman village at the foot of Uludag and one of the best-preserved from the earliest years of the Ottoman state. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Bursa and Cumalikizik. Cobbled lanes run between timber-framed houses with overhanging upper floors, and the village was originally set up to support an Ottoman foundation. If you ask whether Cumalikizik is worth visiting, the answer is yes, especially at a slow pace.

The Inkaya Plane Tree, believed to be about 600 years old, stands nearby, and its huge trunk and canopy shade a popular spot for Turkish coffee. With a private driver you can sit as long as you like before continuing into the city. Wear comfortable shoes, as the lanes are uneven.

Ulu Cami, the Grand Mosque of Bursa

Ulu Cami was built in the late fourteenth century under Sultan Bayezid I and is one of the great early Ottoman mosques. Twenty domes rest on a forest of pillars, and calligraphy panels cover the walls. A fountain inside the prayer hall and an intricately carved wooden minbar draw the eye. It is still an active mosque, so you visit outside prayer times.

Searches for Ulu Cami visiting hours and dress code are common: shoulders and knees should be covered, and women usually cover their hair. Your driver waits nearby while you explore, so you can take as long as you like. The mosque stands in the middle of the old centre, close to the bazaars.

Koza Han and the Covered Bazaar (Bedesten)

Koza Han is the historic silk bazaar of Bursa, built in 1491 under Sultan Bayezid II around an arched courtyard. For centuries it was the centre of the silk cocoon trade, and its shaded galleries still sell silk scarves, fabrics and traditional sweets, with a small tea garden in the courtyard.

Next to it spreads the Covered Bazaar, or Bedesten, a maze of lanes selling jewellery, leather and spices. Bursa silk is the main reason to shop here. Carry some cash for tea and small purchases, and decide how long to browse before the car takes you on.

The tombs of Osman and Orhan Gazi

The tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, the first two rulers of the Ottoman dynasty, stand on a hill above the old city. Osman founded the principality that grew into an empire, and his son Orhan took Bursa in the fourteenth century and made it the first Ottoman capital. The buildings were rebuilt in the nineteenth century after an earthquake.

A quiet visit here explains why Bursa matters to Turkish history, and the hill gives a view over the city. Visitors usually spend a short time, and modest dress is expected. Many travellers ask about the best way to see the tombs of Osman and Orhan, and a private car removes the climb through busy streets.

Yesil Cami and Yesil Turbe, the Green Mosque and Green Tomb

Yesil Cami, the Green Mosque, was commissioned by Sultan Mehmed I in the early fifteenth century and is famous for its turquoise and green tilework and fine carved stone. Light enters through small windows onto walls covered in floral and geometric patterns that change colour with the hour. It is one of the finest examples of early Ottoman decorative art.

Across the way, the Green Tomb holds the sultan's sarcophagus and is wrapped in similar tiles. Together they are among the most photographed sights in Bursa and a fitting end to the day. Dress modestly, and ask your driver about the best light for photographs.