Bursa and Uludag Mountain Day Trip from Istanbul with Cable Car Option
- Duration13 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
A full-day trip from Istanbul to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, and Uludağ, the highest mountain in the Marmara region, with hotel pickup in the old city, a ferry crossing of the Marmara Sea and a guide speaking English and Arabic. The default option includes lunch and the cable car descent from the mountain to the city, a ride of about thirty minutes with panoramic views; a second option without the cable car is also listed. The day takes in a Turkish delight workshop, the historic plane tree, at least an hour and a half of free time on Uludağ (snow in winter, forest walks in summer) and the Green Mosque, Green Tomb and Silk House in old Bursa. A shared tour of about thirteen hours.
Highlights
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Beyazıt and Fatih districts of the old city
- Ferry crossing of the Marmara Sea or Osmangazi Bridge passage, both ways
- Guide speaking English and Arabic with live commentary all day
- Free time on Uludağ Mountain: snow and skiing in winter, forest air in summer
- Cable car descent from Uludağ to Bursa with panoramic views (default option)
- Halal lunch at a local restaurant: mixed grill, salad, rice and a soft drink
- The Green Mosque, Green Tomb and Silk House in the first Ottoman capital
- Turkish delight workshop, the historic plane tree and a mountain jam stop
Full Description
The crossing from Istanbul to Bursa
The day begins with pickup between 08:00 and 09:00 from hotels in the Beyazıt and Fatih districts of the old city, then the vehicle heads out of Istanbul towards the Marmara Sea. Depending on the day, you cross by ferry, with about two hours on the water and a view back to the city, or by the Osmangazi Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, which spans the eastern end of the sea. After a comfort break of about an hour and ten minutes into the drive, the road reaches Yalova on the southern shore.
At Yalova there is an optional quad safari in a natural setting for those who want it; it is paid on the spot and not part of the tour, and the rest of the group relaxes in the fresh air. From here a scenic drive of about an hour through orchards and olive groves brings you to Bursa.
Bursa: Turkish delight, the plane tree and the jam producer
Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman state, from 1326 until the court moved to Edirne, and it remains famous for silk, thermal baths, peaches, chestnut sweets and the kebab that bears its name. The tour starts with a local production centre where you watch Turkish delight being made and can buy it fresh along with Bursa's handmade souvenirs. A short drive out of the centre stands the historic plane tree, estimated to be more than six hundred years old, whose enormous branches shade a tea garden where the whole village seems to sit; it is one of the best photo stops of the day.
On the road up the mountain, the guide makes a brief stop at a well-known jam producer whose shelves are lined with fruit preserves, before lunch at a local restaurant: mixed grill, salad, rice and a soft drink, halal as everywhere in Turkey.
Uludağ Mountain
Uludağ, the 'Great Mountain' of the ancients, rises to about 2,500 metres above Bursa and is the most popular winter and nature destination in Turkey. The tour gives at least an hour and a half of free time at the resort area. In winter, from roughly December to March, the slopes are covered in snow: you can ski or snowboard with hired equipment, take a chairlift or simply play in the snow with the children. In summer the same place is pine forest and alpine meadow, with marked walks, cool air and mountain restaurants.
Ski equipment, jackets, gloves and chairlift rides are paid on the spot. Dress in layers whatever the season, because the summit is many degrees colder than Bursa; a Bursa Uludağ tour from Istanbul can pass from sea level to snow and back in one day.
The cable car from Uludağ to Bursa
The Bursa cable car is one of the longest cable-car lines in the world, running about nine kilometres from the resort down through the forest to the Teferrüç station on the edge of the city, with modern gondola cabins and a ride of about thirty minutes. It is not a five-minute chairlift but a journey in itself: the cabins glide over dense pine and beech forest, past the Sarıalan picnic area, with the plain of Bursa and, on clear days, the Marmara Sea opening out below you.
In the default option your group descends by cable car while the vehicle drives down to meet you; in the other option you return by road and can pay the cable car on the spot if you decide to ride. The Uludağ cable car is the reason most guests choose this tour over other Bursa day trips.
The Green Mosque, Green Tomb and Silk House
The last stop is the Green Complex in the Yeşil quarter of Bursa, built in the early fifteenth century for the fifth Ottoman sultan. The Green Mosque, finished in 1419, is the finest early Ottoman building in the city, with a carved marble portal, a prayer hall lined with turquoise and green tiles and a sultan's loge above the entrance; the Green Tomb opposite, with its tiled exterior, holds the sultan's sarcophagus. Around them stand Ottoman houses, a historic bath and a terrace with views over the city.
The tour also visits the Silk House, the covered courtyard inn where Bursa's silk was traded for centuries and where shops still sell scarves and fabric. From here the vehicle returns to the ferry and you reach your hotel in Istanbul in the evening.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in the old cityPickup between 08:00 and 09:00 from hotels in the Beyazıt and Fatih districts; the guide gives live commentary as you leave Istanbul.
- Ferry or bridge crossing and comfort breakAbout an hour's drive, then the ferry across the Marmara Sea (about two hours) or the Osmangazi Bridge, with a short comfort break on the way.
- YalovaOptional quad safari in a natural setting, paid on the spot, or free time to relax; then about an hour's scenic drive to Bursa.
- Turkish delight production centreWatch Turkish delight being made and shop for Bursa souvenirs and handmade products; about 45 minutes.
- Historic plane treePhoto stop and a short break under the branches of the tree estimated at more than 600 years old.
- Jam producer and lunchA brief stop at a local jam producer on the mountain road, then lunch at a local restaurant: mixed grill, salad, rice and a soft drink.
- Uludağ MountainAt least an hour and a half of free time: skiing, snow play or chairlifts in winter (paid on the spot), nature walks and mountain air in summer.
- Cable car descent (default option)About 30 minutes down to Bursa by cable car with panoramic views; the other option returns by vehicle.
- Green Mosque, Green Tomb and Silk HouseVisit to the Green Complex with its Ottoman houses and historic bath, and the silk inn in the old centre; about an hour.
- Return to IstanbulFerry back across the Marmara Sea and drop-off at your hotel in the evening, about 13 hours after pickup.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Beyazıt and Fatih districts
- Air-conditioned vehicle with ferry crossing or Osmangazi Bridge passage
- Professional licensed guide speaking English and Arabic
- Uludag Mountain entrance fee
- Lunch at a local restaurant: mixed grill, salad, rice and one soft drink
- Visits to the Turkish delight production centre, the historic plane tree and the Green Complex in Bursa
Not included
- Cable car ride (can be paid on the spot)
- Optional quad safari in Yalova
- Chairlift rides, ski equipment, jacket and gloves in winter
- Meals for children aged 0–3
- Gratuities for the driver and guide
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Food lovers
- Travellers who want the view from the air
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes about 13 hours
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You are afraid of heights
Not suitable for
- Pregnant women
Meeting point
Pickup between 08:00 and 09:00 from hotels in the Beyazıt and Fatih districts of the old city (the Sultanahmet, Beyazıt, Laleli and Aksaray areas); if your hotel is elsewhere, we tell you the nearest pickup point. The exact pickup time and place are confirmed on WhatsApp the day before. The vehicle brings you back to the same area in the evening, usually about thirteen hours after departure.
Important information
- Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes and a jacket; the mountain is much colder than the city in every season
- In winter, ski equipment, jackets, gloves and chairlift rides are hired or paid on the spot; the cable car is included only in the default option
- The optional quad safari in Yalova is paid on the spot and is not part of the tour
- Lunch is included; meals for children aged 0 to 3 are not
- Drinks are not allowed on board the vehicle
- Not suitable for pregnant women; a long day of about 13 hours with two crossings
- Dress modestly for the Green Mosque: shoulders and knees covered, hair covered for women; shoes are removed inside
- Gratuities for the driver and guide are not included
- Two planned stops for refreshments and shopping are part of the day
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
A shared group tour in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide speaking English and Arabic, with hotel pickup in the old city.
How long does it take?
About thirteen hours door to door, including the ferry crossings and the free time on the mountain.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, from hotels in the Beyazıt and Fatih districts of the old city between 08:00 and 09:00, with drop-off in the same area in the evening.
What is included?
Pickup and drop-off, the ferry or bridge crossing, the guide, the Uludağ entrance fee, lunch with a soft drink, the visits in Bursa and, in the default option, the cable car descent from Uludağ.
Is the price per person or per group?
Per person; the booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option. Infants up to 3 years travel free without a meal.
Is there snow on Uludağ?
Usually from about December to March, when the resort is open for skiing and snow play; in late spring, summer and autumn the mountain offers forest walks and cool air instead.
Is the cable car included?
In the default option, yes: you descend from Uludağ to Bursa by cable car, about 30 minutes; the other option returns by vehicle, and you can pay the ride on the spot if you change your mind.
Is it suitable for children and for reduced mobility?
Families enjoy the snow, the plane tree and the cable car; the day is long for very small children, and the Green Mosque and the mountain involve some walking and steps.
What should I bring?
Layers and a jacket, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, cash for the optional extras and souvenirs, and modest clothing for the mosque.
What is the best time to visit Bursa and Uludağ?
Winter for the snow and skiing; spring and autumn for mild weather, clear views from the cable car and the plane tree in leaf; summer for cool mountain air away from the city heat.
What happens in bad weather?
The tour runs in rain; in heavy snow or strong wind the cable car or the mountain road may close, in which case the guide extends the time in Bursa and we tell you on WhatsApp.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose the option and date on this page and send the booking with your hotel name; our Istanbul team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes and sends the pickup time.
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