Private Day Trip Istanbul to Bursa: Green Mosque & Citadel

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (3 reviews)

Free cancellation

1/27

Duration9h–10h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · TR

PickupAt your hotel

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.

9h–10h

Step-by-step itinerary

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller 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.