Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, and the mountain that towers over it — Uludag, the "great mountain" — is Turkey's best-known winter resort. A single tour pairs early Ottoman monuments and one of the country's most famous kitchens with a cable-car ride to the snowline, all within reach of Istanbul as a long day trip.
- Summit elevation
- 2,543 m
- Resort altitude
- ~1,800–2,200 m
- Former capital
- Ottoman, 1335
- Ski season
- Dec – March
01Why Bursa & Uludag
Most visitors come for the contrast. Down in the city, Bursa is green and historic — the Green Mosque (Yesil Cami) and its tiled tomb, the sprawling Grand Bazaar and the silk-cocoon market of Koza Han. Up on Uludag, a few hairpin bends or one cable-car ride later, you are in pine forest and, for much of the winter, deep snow. Few places in Turkey let you eat the country's most famous kebab and stand on a ski slope on the same afternoon.
Bursa is where Ottoman Turkey began; Uludag is where modern Turkey learned to ski.
02Route options
- Bursa city tour · 4–5 hrs · Green Mosque → Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) → Koza Han silk market → iskender kebab lunch
- City + Uludag cable car · full day · Morning sights, then the Teleferik up to Sarialan and the hotels zone
- Cumalikizik village add-on · 1.5–2 hrs · 700-year-old Ottoman village, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Winter ski day · full day · Transfer straight to the resort, ski/board with equipment rental, return in the evening
- Thermal & spa option · half day · Cekirge district hot springs, a Bursa tradition since Roman and Ottoman times
032026 tour types and prices
| Tour type | Duration | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bursa city group tour | 4–5 hrs | €15 – €35 |
| Uludag cable car (round trip) | 2–3 hrs | €10 – €25 |
| Day trip from Istanbul | 11–13 hrs | €45 – €90 |
| Winter ski day + rental | Full day | €60 – €130 |
| Private Bursa & Uludag tour | Full day | €180 – €450 |
These are estimated 2026 ranges and prices vary by season, group size and what is included; ski-equipment rental and lift passes in particular fluctuate over the winter. The cable car is the cheapest way onto the mountain, while a private tour adds a guide, door-to-door transfer and flexibility over timing.
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04Getting up the mountain
- Teleferik cable car · Climbs in stages from Bursa to Kadiyayla, Sarialan and the Oteller (hotels) zone — the scenic and easiest way up.
- By road · The mountain road by car, taxi or shuttle is the usual route for ski transfers, especially with equipment in winter.
- Sarialan · Mid-mountain plateau with picnic areas and forest walks, popular in summer.
- Oteller (hotels) zone · The main ski area, where the lifts, slopes and resort hotels are concentrated.
05Best time to go
For skiing, December to March brings the most reliable snow at the upper resort, with January and February the peak. Weekends and Turkish school holidays are busy, so a weekday is calmer. For hiking and cooler city sightseeing, May to October is ideal — the plateau is green and the summit road is open. Bursa's mosques, bazaars and thermal baths are worth visiting year-round, which makes the city a good off-season alternative when the slopes are closed.
06What to see
In the city:
- Green Mosque (Yesil Cami) and the Green Tomb — early-15th-century Ottoman tilework
- Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) — 20 domes and a famous interior fountain
- Koza Han — Ottoman silk-trade caravanserai, still a cocoon market
- Cumalikizik — UNESCO-listed 700-year-old Ottoman village
- Cekirge thermal baths — hot springs used since Roman times
On the mountain:
- Uludag ski resort — lifts and slopes in the Oteller zone
- Sarialan plateau — picnic grounds and pine forest
- Cable-car viewpoints over the city and the Marmara plain
- Summit-area glacial lakes (Karagol), a summer hiking goal
- Uludag National Park — protected forest and alpine flora
And don't leave without eating: Bursa is the birthplace of iskender kebab, served over pide bread with tomato sauce and butter, with candied chestnut (kestane sekeri) for dessert.
07Frequently asked questions
How long does a Bursa and Uludag tour take?
A day trip from Istanbul runs about 11–13 hours including transfer. A Bursa city tour alone takes 4–5 hours, and adding Uludag by cable car adds 3–4 hours on the mountain.
When is the best time to visit Uludag?
December to March is the ski season with reliable snow at the upper resort. For hiking, the plateau and cooler temperatures, May to October is best. Bursa city sights are open year-round.
How do you get up Uludag mountain?
The Teleferik cable car climbs from Bursa city to the Sarialan and Oteller (hotels) zones in stages. You can also drive up the mountain road by car or shuttle, which is the usual route for ski transfers in winter.
Do I need to book in advance?
In ski season (December to March) and on weekends the cable car and ski packages sell out, so booking 1–2 weeks ahead is advised. Off-season city tours are flexible and rarely need advance booking.
What should I eat in Bursa?
Bursa is the home of iskender kebab — thin doner over pide with tomato sauce and melted butter. Also try Inegol kofte and, for dessert, candied chestnut (kestane sekeri), a local specialty.