During my stay in Turkey, I was lucky to have visited Bursa multiple times, and each time found myself feeling calm and revitalized. Bursa is the kind of city that lingers with you well after leaving. It’s calm, green, steeped in history, and extremely welcoming, especially if you are seeking a travel destination that respects your values and makes it easy for you to take your trip and makes it convenient and enjoyable.
Whether you are a history fan, a lover of peaceful places, or simply someone who wants a break from busy city life with halal food and accessible prayer spaces, Bursa has something special to offer. Here’s why it deserves a spot on your travel list.
Golden Emblem of Ottoman Empire
Old Turkish Coin
Bursa holds a unique position in history books, it was once the first capital of the Ottoman Empire before the capital moved to Istanbul. This means the city is an Ottoman treasure trove for anyone interested in learning about Ottoman heritage. When you walk down the roads of Bursa, you are walking through streets where some of the first pages of history for the Ottoman Empire were created.
Tophane Clock Tower, Bursa, Historical houses belonging to the last period of the Ottoman Empire. Bursa
One of my first destinations is the Tophane district, where you have the tombs of Osman Gazi and his son Orhan Gazi, the founders of the original empire. The district is perched atop a hill over the city, and the view alone is worth the trip. But to be standing next to those tombs, one couldn’t help but reflect on the beginnings of an empire that shaped a large part of the Muslim world’s history. Even if you are not a history expert, there is something powerful about being in a place where so much started. Ottoman legacy can be found all around, from the structures to the museums and even to the historical city walls. You can spend time here combing through small museums telling stories of wars, governance, and everyday life centuries prior.
Grand Mosque of Bursa
If you like going to mosques that create a sense of peace and reflection, Bursa will not disappoint. A visit to the Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) is a must. It is massive, with twenty domes, and within, there are great calligraphy panels and carvings in stones to admire. What I liked most was the peaceful ambiance that filled the air. Even at the height of a busy time when filled with devotees, it was so silent that one could focus and pray without interruption
Bursa Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque of Bursa
Hatice Isfendiyar Mosque
There is something truly special about the Green Mosque and the Green Tomb, named after the beautiful green tiles, that cover their walls. The architecture is graceful and full of quiet charm, with intricate details and peaceful corners. There is a deep sense of history and spirituality in both places that really stays with you, it feels like you’re stepping into centuries of devotion and calm.
My visits to these mosques were not just about enjoying the structures, they were a chance to renew, to enjoy peace that cities don’t usually allow.
Maybe the best part of visiting Bursa is food. The city is famous for Iskender kebab, the origin of which is here and has the popularity in all over Turkey. It is thinly sliced lamb or beef served over pita bread pieces, covered with melted butter and tomato sauce, served with thick yogurt.
I remember my first experience of eating Iskender kebab in a tiny family restaurant, the waiter sprinkled hot butter on top of the food directly at the table, and the aroma itself was enough to get me salivating. The dish is not overwhelming, and so it is perfect as a dinner after a day of wandering around.
In addition to kebabs, there is also a variety of other genuine Turkish dishes, from hot pide (Turkish pizza) freshly baked straight from the oven to sweet treats like candied chestnuts and baklava. Street markets are great for sampling snacks and buying souvenirs like spices, teas, and hand knotted fabrics
Cable Car way to snowy uludag mountains
Irgandi Bridge in Bursa
Istanbul is vibrant and busy, but also full of chaos and noise. Bursa feels like the calm exhale after the noise, the kind of place where you don’t need a plan. Its slower rhythm, green spaces, and proximity to nature make it a much needed change of pace. It is nestled between the Uludağ mountains, a picturesque setting with a cooler climate. I remember how good it felt to walk outside without the rush and heat of the big city, to sit on a bench in the shade, drink tea, and let time pass slowly.
One of the things I enjoyed most was driving up to Uludağ itself, especially beautiful in winter when the mountain is covered with snow. Riding the teleferik (cableway) all the way to the top was an adventure, breathtaking views of the city disappearing in the distance as we rode into a snowy world that felt like entering a dream. Whether you’re off to ski, snow play, or just the stunning views, it’s one area of Bursa that few expect, and one that adds an entire new dimension to the trip.
I spent many afternoons strolling through parks, enjoying views, or going to the thermal hot springs for which Bursa is renowned. The thermal baths are relaxing ,pampering and are reputed to be healthily beneficial. Even spa vacations are not your thing, the history and culture of the baths contribute to the loveliness of Bursa.
Cumalikizik
One of my most favorite escapes was to Cumalıkızık, a colorful Ottoman village that appears frozen in time. I wandered cobblestone side streets, found a stand selling mulberry jam made up that morning, and chatted with an old woman who’d been weaving scarves since she was a child. All this left me with the impression that I’d stepped into a whole different rhythm of life.
Sogut
If you are a fan of the popular TV shows Ertuğrul or Kuruluş: Osman, you’ll definitely want to add a trip to Söğüt to your itinerary. Located less than two hours from Bursa, Söğüt is the original home of the Kayı tribe and where Ertuğrul Gazi, father of Osman I, is buried.
I visited when there was a local festival taking place, and it was busy, with street performances, people dressed in period dress, and stalls selling traditional crafts. It was almost like I had wandered into a program episode. Söğüt is a quiet but charming town that gives a glimpse of the origin of Ottoman life and the freedom of early tribal life.
What makes Bursa stick with you isn’t flash or perfection, it’s how easily it weaves history, faith, food, and nature into everyday moments. You don’t need to chase an itinerary here. Just walk, eat, sit in a mosque or a park, and you’ll feel it. And after visiting, you’ll be itching to return if, like me, you get itchy feet.
Lana Abdelaziz is an Egyptian journalist, writer, and producer, born in Saudi Arabia. She has lived and worked in Istanbul, where her passion for storytelling continued to grow. Storytelling has always been one of her greatest passions, along with exploring different cultures and sharing fresh perspectives shaped by her rich heritage and experiences. She loves traveling and writing about the places, people, and moments that make every journey unique.
Uzbekistan: A Symphony in Blue—The Timeless Allure of Islamic Art and Architecture By: Dr Mohammad Abul Mufazzal Nestled along the
Beyond Museums – Doha’s Public Art By: Rizwan Qureshi The sleek assembly of West Bay’s ultramodern towers defines Doha’s famous
Redefining Tourism: Barbados Welcomes Halal Travelers An Exclusive Interview with Suleiman Bulbulia, Founder of the Barbados Halal Experience. Barbados is known
