Private Day Trip Istanbul to Bursa: Green Mosque & Citadel

See Bursa's Ottoman landmarks without arranging the drive from Istanbul

A private day trip from Istanbul to Bursa takes you to the city's UNESCO-listed Ottoman sites (the Green Mosque, Koza Han silk market, Tophane Citadel and the option to ride the Bursa Cableway up to Uludag ski center) with hotel pickup, a knowledgeable driver and return transport included. The driver shares local history at each stop but does not enter the sites themselves. Licensed guides are available separately if you want accompaniment inside the attractions. The tour runs nine to ten hours and suits travelers who want a full day exploring Bursa without organizing their own transport from Istanbul.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Viaport Marina1h
2. Koza Han1h
3. Green Mosque2h

Explore Bursa's historic and natural sites

• Pick up from Istanbul accommodation
• Visit Tophane Citadel
• Explore Koza Han silk market
• See the Grand Mosque
• Visit Green Mosque and Green Tomb
• Ride Bursa Cableway to Uludag Ski Center
• Return to Istanbul accommodation

The experience

Your driver picks you up from your Istanbul accommodation at a time you choose and takes you south toward Bursa in a private vehicle: a sedan for one to three people, a minivan for four to eight. The drive itself is part of the day. Your driver shares stories and local perspective about the region as you travel, though the real exploration happens when you step out at each stop.

Tophane Citadel sits on a hill overlooking the city and marks the oldest part of Bursa, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there you move to Koza Han, a multilevel silk market built in the Ottoman era with retailers and courtyards you can walk through at your own pace. The Green Mosque comes next: a 13th-century structure with 20 domes and intricate interior detail, paired with the Green Tomb, an impressive mausoleum in Islamic style. If you want to go higher, the Bursa Cableway (Teleferik) carries you up the mountain to Uludag, where the ski center sits year-round, though winter brings the most visitors. You can ride the cable car without skiing, just to see the views and the resort itself.

Water and WiFi are on board during the drive. At the end of the day, your driver returns you to your Istanbul accommodation. Some sites may close unexpectedly for holidays or maintenance, so it's worth checking opening hours before you go. If a stop is closed, the driver will suggest an alternative. Licensed guides are available if you want someone to walk through the mosques and museums with you, but they're not included in the base price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Istanbul.
• private vehicle (sedan or minivan depending on group size).
• professional English-speaking driver who shares local history and perspective.
• water and WiFi on board.
• all fuel, tolls, taxes and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Welcome Pickups

Is this one for you?At nine to ten hours, this tour fills most of a day and leaves little room for other Istanbul activities on the same date. Book it when you've set aside a full day for Bursa, or pair it with an evening return if you want to explore Istanbul neighborhoods after you get back. Licensed guides to walk you through the mosques and museums are optional and cost extra, so decide before booking whether you want that level of detail inside each site or prefer to explore on your own with your driver's background information.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Turkish.

What is the Green Mosque and what makes it worth seeing in Bursa?

The Green Mosque is a 13th-century Ottoman structure built with 20 domes and decorated with intricate tilework and calligraphy inside. It's one of Bursa's most recognizable landmarks and part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing. The attached Green Tomb, a mausoleum, is equally impressive and sits in the same complex.

Can I go inside the Koza Han market, or do I just see it from outside?

Koza Han is a working silk market with multiple levels and open courtyards you can walk through freely. It's not a museum: retailers operate inside, so you can browse, shop or just move through the Ottoman-era architecture at your own pace.

How long does the drive take from Istanbul to Bursa, and when do I get back?

The full day trip runs nine to ten hours from pickup to drop-off. That time includes the drive both ways, stops at each site and time to explore inside them. Your driver picks you up at a time you choose and returns you to your accommodation in Istanbul by evening.

Is the Uludag cable car included, or do I pay extra to ride it?

The cable car ride is not included in the base tour price, but your driver can take you to the base station and you can choose to ride it up to the ski center and back. It's an optional add-on you can decide on the day itself.

Do I need a licensed guide to enter the mosques and historical sites?

Your driver is knowledgeable and shares historical information at each stop, but drivers are not permitted to enter the sites themselves. Licensed guides are available separately if you want someone to accompany you inside the mosques, museums or citadel. This is not included in the standard tour but can be arranged.

What happens if one of the sites is closed when I arrive?

Some attractions may close unexpectedly for public holidays, maintenance or special events. Your driver will suggest a suitable alternative if a stop is closed, but it's recommended to check opening hours on the attraction's official website before your tour date.