Bursa from Istanbul: Uludağ in winter and where to stay

South of the Sea of Marmara, at the foot of Mount Uludağ, Bursa is easy to combine with a stay in Istanbul. In winter, it is above all the gateway to the Uludağ ski resort. Here is how to get there, where to stay and how to plan a snow trip.

At a glance

• From Istanbul: fast ferry to the Mudanya coast (about 1.5 to 2 hours at sea), then by road to Bursa.
• In the city: the historic centre for a short stay, Çekirge for thermal hotels.
• In winter: the Uludağ hotel zone for skiing, in principle from late December to March depending on snow.
• Hotel: Nreservi books your hotel, payable in dinars from Algeria.

Bursa, the first Ottoman capital

Bursa entered Ottoman history in 1326 and became the empire's first capital. The site "Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire" is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Highlights include the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami), the Green Mosque and Green Tomb, the tombs of Osman and Orhan Gazi, old caravanserais such as the Koza Han, known for silk, and the covered bazaar. Not far from the city, the village of Cumalıkızık has kept its Ottoman-era houses. Bursa is also the home of İskender kebab, a speciality worth trying there.

Getting from Istanbul to Bursa

• By ferry: fast ferries leave Istanbul, notably from Yenikapı, for Mudanya and Güzelyalı on the coast north of Bursa. The crossing takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, then a bus, minibus or taxi takes you to the centre. Sailings can be cancelled in bad weather, especially in winter, so check the day before.
• By road: coaches link Istanbul with Bursa's bus station, and a car lets you continue up to Uludağ.

Some people visit Bursa as a day trip from Istanbul, but the return journey is long. One or two nights give you time for the old town and a trip up Uludağ.

Where to stay in Bursa

• Historic centre: the most practical for one or two nights, within walking distance of the Grand Mosque, the Koza Han and the covered bazaar. Streets are busy and traffic is heavy.
• Çekirge: Bursa's thermal district, known for its hot springs. Many hotels have their own thermal pool, a good choice for a relaxing family stay.
• Nilüfer: a newer business area with international chain hotels, handy if you are driving.
• Mudanya: to sleep by the sea, close to the ferry terminals.

Uludağ in winter: Bursa's ski resort

Mount Uludağ rises to 2,543 m. Its forests and peaks form a national park, and its slopes host Bursa's ski resort. The season runs in principle from late December to March, depending on snow, so check conditions before you go.

Getting up:

• Cable car: it leaves from Teferrüç station in Bursa and climbs nearly 9 km via Kadıyayla and Sarıalan up to the hotel zone. Allow about twenty minutes to Sarıalan. Operating hours depend on the weather.
• Road: about 36 km separate central Bursa from the hotel zone. In winter, snow equipment (winter tyres, chains) is mandatory, and checkpoints can turn back cars without it.

Where to sleep on Uludağ: hotels are grouped in two hotel zones near the slopes, often with a restaurant and spa. Several close outside the season, so in summer and autumn check that a hotel is open before planning. If you do not ski, a night in the city and a day trip up the mountain are enough to see the snow; if you ski, sleeping on the mountain saves you the drive every morning.

For another escape from Istanbul, this time by a lake, see our guide to Sapanca and Maşukiye from Istanbul. To choose your Istanbul hotel before or after Bursa, read where to stay in Istanbul.

Entry requirements

Entry conditions for Türkiye depend on your passport. In principle, Algerian citizens need to meet certain visa conditions: read our Türkiye visa guide for Algerians, then check the current requirements with the consulate or on the official website before you travel. We do not sell any visa service.

Book your hotel in Bursa, Uludağ or Istanbul

Bursa and Uludağ are not yet among the cities on our hotel pages. For a hotel in Bursa, Çekirge or Uludağ, contact us: our team checks availability and price with the property, then offers you the booking. For Istanbul, see our hotels in Istanbul. From Algeria, you pay in dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once payment is made. The process is explained in our guide to booking a hotel without a bank card.

Reminder: the information above is given for guidance; timetables, ski season and entry requirements can change. Always check the latest conditions before you travel.

See hotels in Istanbul

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.