Start Driving in BursaBursa, the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire, is a lush, sprawling metropolis tucked against the verdant slopes of Mount Uludağ in northwestern Turkey. Known affectionately as “Green Bursa” (Yeşil Bursa), the city seamlessly bridges its imperial past with a high-energy industrial present, serving as the heart of Turkey’s automotive and textile sectors. Its skyline is defined by the majestic domes and minarets of the Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) and the Green Tomb, while its historic silk market, the Koza Han, continues to hum with the trade of fine fabrics as it has for centuries. Beyond its architectural heritage, Bursa is a city of sensory delights, famous for its thermal sulfur baths, the invention of the savory İskender kebab, and its proximity to world-class skiing. Whether you are wandering through its UNESCO-listed Ottoman villages like Cumalıkızık or riding the long-distance cable car up the mountain, the city offers a unique blend of mountain air, spiritual depth, and modern Turkish vitality.
