Nearby places

Linking the places into a day on foot

Most of the places listed here sit within a fairly compact area of old Bursa, and the easiest way to see them is to group them by neighbourhood rather than trying to criss-cross the city. A practical approach is to treat the market quarter, the castle hill and the Muradiye area as three separate clusters, each worth half a day if you want time to look properly and stop for food.

The market quarter

The Grand Mosque, the Covered Bazaar with its Bedesten, and Koza Han are close enough to explore in one unhurried morning. Ulu Cami, built at the end of the fourteenth century, is one of the finest early Ottoman mosques and an active place of worship, so dress modestly, carry something to cover your head if needed, and avoid visiting during prayer times, especially Friday midday prayers. From there the bazaar lanes lead naturally to Koza Han, historically the centre of Bursa's silk trade, where the courtyard tea gardens make a good place to pause.

Up the hill to Tophane

The tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi and the Tophane Clock Tower share the park on the old citadel. The walk up is short but steep in places; comfortable shoes help. The terraces give wide views over the city towards the plain, and late afternoon light is often the most pleasant time to be there.

West towards Muradiye and Cekirge

The Muradiye Complex, with its garden of royal tombs, and the nearby Ottoman House Museum reward a slower visit. The Karagoz Museum lies further west towards the Cekirge quarter, known for its thermal baths, so it can pair well with an afternoon there.

Before you go

• Opening hours for museums and tombs change by season and some close one day a week; check official sources on the day.
• Tombs and mosques may close briefly for maintenance or religious occasions.
• Local buses, dolmuş minibuses and taxis connect the clusters if you would rather not walk between them.

For more on getting around and planning a visit, see our visiting guide, and browse the neighbourhoods section for context on each area.