Bursa is one of the most historical cities in Turkey. Many popular districts and spots are popular among tourists who want to experience the Ottoman Empire's history firsthand.
The most popular districts in Bursa are Güzelyalı and Mudanya. Moreover, if you travel from Istanbul to Bursa, you will anchor on Güzelyalı or Mudanya on the south shore of the Sea of Marmara (map). Fast ferries speed between docks in Istanbul and Bursa's ferry docks almost every day. Here is how to buy IDO tickets in Istanbul.
When traveling between places in Bursa, always use metro lines as much as possible since the metro avoids much of Bursa's dense and slow vehicular traffic.
How to Travel from Güzelyalı and Mudanya to Bursa's City Center
Traveling from Güzelyalı and Mudanya Ferry docks to Bursa's center is fairly straightforward. You can always hop on a taxi. However, public transportation is very well developed in Bursa, so you have many options to choose from:
Bus 1/M Mudanya – Emek İstasyonu (Emek Bus Station)
This line is the most favorable to use when traveling between Mudanya and the city center of Bursa since it runs between various stops in Mudanya, including the Mudanya İskelesi (Ferry Dock), and the Bursaray terminal station at Emek.
Bus 1/F Mudanya – Terminal
If you plan to go right through Bursa, catch a bus, and head onward to another destination, Bus 1/F is the bus for you. This route starts at the Mudanya dock, stops at the Güzelyalı dock, and ends at Terminal, Bursa's main intercity bus terminal (Otogar).
Bus 1/GY Güzelyalı Feribot İskelesi – Emek İstasyonu
The fastest way to get to Bursaray (Bursa's Metro Line) will be by taking this bus route. This much-preferred route takes you from the Güzelyalı ferry dock to the terminus of the Bursaray (Bursa's Metro) Line M1 at Emek.
How to Return From Bursa City Center to Mudanya and Güzelyalı Ferry Docks
To travel between the center of Bursa and the ferry docks at Güzelyalı or Mudanya, you take the Bursaray (Bursa's Metro) M1 Line to the terminal station at Emek. (In Bursa, the Şehreküstü Bursaray station is convenient for boarding this train.) Then, for Mudanya, use Bus 1/M. For Güzelyalı, use Bus 1/GY.
Keep in mind the other bus lines run the entire distance between central Bursa and the ferry docks. So, they may take a long time to reach your desired destination during rush hours.
Best Public Transporation Method to See Bursa's Popular Spots
Once you get to Bursaray Emek station with the transportation methods mentioned above, take the Metro to the Şehreküstü station in central Bursa on the northern side of the bazaar district. Next, look for the equestrian statue of Orhan Gazi in the nearby traffic circle. Orhan Gazi has his back to Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Caddesi(street), a pedestrian shopping street. Walk uphill (south) on A. H. Tanpınar Caddesi, away from the statue.
After five minutes of walking straight uphill past shops, you'll come to a street called Cumhuriyet Caddesi, which has an Old-Fashioned Tram (Nostaljik Tramvay) running along it. Look farther up the hill ahead to see the minarets and domes of Bursa's Ulu Cami (Great Mosque) a bit farther along (map). Cross Cumhuriyet Caddesi, continue walking south uphill on the short street called Ulucami Caddesi, then jog left-oblique and right into a covered bazaar street. Here you're walking through the west side of Bursa's bazaar district (interesting in itself).
After another five minutes walk, you'll reach the Ulu Cami at the center of Bursa. On the south side of the Ulu Cami, heading east, is Atatürk Caddesi, Bursa's main city-center avenue. To the west of the Ulu Cami uphill is the Hisar (Fortress) district, the oldest part of the city, with many fine old Bursa houses and the Tombs of Sultans Orhan and Osman, founders of the Ottoman Empire.
Using this method, you will see most of the historical places within Bursa. Leaving other touristic places for another day.
To return to the ferry dock, walk downhill on the street on the west (Hisar) side of the Ulu Cami all the way to Haşim İşcan Caddesi, then look for the Bursaray logo and the stairway descending to the Şehreküstü metro station. Board an M1 train going to Emek. (If you board the car at the end of the train, you'll be close to the bus stops when you arrive at Emek.)
Leave the Bursaray train at the last stop (Emek) and look for the yellow city buses: 1/GY for Güzelyalı, and 1/M for Mudanya.
Come and Experience Bursa Firsthand!
Bursa in Turkey is one of the most popular touristic destinations for Ottoman History lovers. Bursa had significant importance to Ottomans, so many important structures were built in the city.
Public transportation in Bursa is well-developed, so traveling between Bursa and ferry boat docks is straightforward. Remember to enjoy your trip to Bursa, Turkey.
—by Tom Brosnahan, updated by Can Turan
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