4-Day Best of Istanbul & Bursa Tour

4 Days

Tour Starts in

Istanbul
Tour Ends in

Istanbul
Tour type

Group
Language

English

Itinerary Overview:

Discover Ottoman heritage and Turkish culture on the 4-Day Best of Istanbul & Bursa Tour. Begin in Istanbul, where you’ll explore the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and the bustling Grand Bazaar. Cross the Sea of Marmara to historic Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, visiting the Green Mausoleum, Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), and lively bazaars before ascending Uludağ Mountain by cable car for breathtaking views. With guided tours and free time included, this short journey perfectly blends culture, history, and scenic beauty. Book now for an unforgettable Turkey experience.

Trip Highlights:

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque – Byzantine masterpiece
Blue Mosque – Ottoman icon
Hippodrome – historic center
Topkapi Palace – imperial residence
Grand Bazaar – traditional market
Bursa – Green Mausoleum
Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii)
Uludağ Mountain – cable car views

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day
1

Arrival in Istanbul – Airport Transfer & Free Day

Arrive in Istanbul at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area, holding a sign with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day
2

Istanbul Old City Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided tour exploring Istanbul’s most iconic Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks.

The day begins at the magnificent Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Grand Mosque, a monumental structure that has served as a cathedral, mosque, and now a museum. Its architecture and historical layers reflect the rich blend of Christian and Islamic heritage.

Next, visit the iconic Blue Mosque, renowned for its six minarets and mesmerizing blue İznik tiles. It remains an active place of worship and a masterpiece of Ottoman design.

Continue to the historic Hippodrome, once the social and sporting center of the Byzantine Empire. Discover its remaining monuments, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

After the morning exploration, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Turkish cuisine.

In the afternoon, visit the splendid Topkapi Palace Museum, home to Ottoman sultans for centuries. Wander through its expansive courtyards, rich imperial collections, and optionally, the mysterious Harem quarters.

End your tour at the vibrant Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. With over 4,000 shops offering carpets, jewelry, spices, and ceramics, it’s a paradise for shoppers and culture enthusiasts alike.

After the tour ends at around 5:00 PM, you will be dropped back at your hotel. The rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day
3

Bursa Day Tour from Istanbul

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel around 8:30 AM and transferred to the port to board a ferry across the Sea of Marmara. Enjoy a relaxing ride with scenic views on your way to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire.

Upon arrival, visit the Green Mausoleum (Yesil Turbe) and the impressive Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), an architectural masterpiece from the early Ottoman period. Stroll through historic bazaars and take the opportunity to sample some of the region’s famous local products, including chestnuts, honey, olives, and Turkish Delight.

Next, take a cable car ride to Uludağ Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views (subject to weather conditions). If the cable car is not operating due to weather, the ascent will be made by vehicle instead.

After the tour ends, return to Istanbul in the evening. You will arrive around 8:00 PM and be dropped off at your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Note: The cable car may not operate during bad weather conditions. In this case, transportation to Uludağ will be by vehicle.
Day
4

Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (check-out time is before 12:00 noon). You will then be transferred to Istanbul International Airport based on your flight schedule. End of our tour and services.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

Arrival and departure airport transfers and all ground transportation
3 nights in Istanbul at a special class or 4-star hotel, including breakfast
Professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch)
Entrance fees for all sites mentioned in the itinerary
Local taxes and service charges

NOT INCLUDED:

International flight tickets.
Turkey Tourist Visa Fees.
Optional tours mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost).
Services not explicitly mentioned in the program.
Dinner and Drinks.
Travel insurance (recommended).

Important notes

The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described in the program will take place.
This is a regular group tour, but it can be provided as a private tour upon request at an additional cost.
Regular group tours include shopping stops as part of the itinerary.
Please provide your arrival details at the time of booking.
The Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays due to religious prayer services. On these days, only the outside area of the Blue Mosque can be visited.
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and during religious holidays

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I make an online reservation?

After reviewing the detailed tour itinerary, you can make an online reservation by following these steps:

Select Your Tour Details:
- Go to the tour itinerary page.
- On the right side of the page, find the online booking form.
- Select the number of travelers and your desired tour start date.
Choose Extra Options (Add-Ons):
- Proceed to the next step to view available add-ons.
- Choose any extra options you wish to include in your tour package.
Provide Your Information & Passenger Details:
- Continue to the checkout page.
- Fill in the required personal details (name, email, phone number, etc.).
- Enter the passenger information using valid passport details.
- Click “Place Order” to submit the form and complete your reservation request.
Enter Your Visa or MasterCard Credit Card Information
- Please enter a valid Visa or MasterCard to complete your booking.
- The credit card used for payment must belong to one of the travelers who will be participating in the tour. This is required for verification and security purposes.
- Once the required 30% deposit is charged to your credit card, your tour reservation will be confirmed via email within 24 hours.
- The remaining 70% balance must be paid in cash to our representative on the day you arrive in Istanbul. You will receive a receipt upon payment. If you prefer to pay the remaining balance by credit card, a 5% bank processing fee will be added to cover transaction costs.

How can we make payment?

The deposit or full-payment requirement, currency, balance due date and any disclosed payment-processing charge vary by booking and are stated on the current booking page and in the written confirmation before payment. Flight and bus tickets are issued only under the confirmed booking terms and, once issued, are non-refundable. If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, notify One Nation Travel at least 5 days before the tour starts. For requests received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from your paid balance. For requests received less than 5 days before the tour starts, and for no-shows, the full amount paid is non-refundable.

When will I receive confirmation after making a reservation?

Once your online reservation is received and the specified 30% deposit is charged to your credit card, your domestic flight tickets will be confirmed. You will receive an email confirmation, including all the details, within 2-3 days.

Can I customize the tour itinerary?

Yes, the tour can be customized to fit your preferences. Please contact us in advance if you have specific requests or changes you’d like to make to the itinerary. Some changes may be subject to an additional fee.

Is airport transfer included in the tour price?

Yes, airport transfers are included in the tour price. Upon your arrival and departure, we provide complimentary transfers between the airport and your hotel.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, notify One Nation Travel at least 5 days before the tour starts. For requests received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from your paid balance. For requests received less than 5 days before the tour starts, and for no-shows, the full amount paid is non-refundable.

Will I travel with the same group and guide throughout the tour?

Our multi-day Turkey packages are regular group/shared tour arrangements, not fully escorted tours with one tour leader and the same guests from arrival to departure. Sightseeing tours are shared and usually operate with about 15-20 guests, but group size and participants may change by city or day as travelers join or leave different scheduled tours. Licensed English-speaking guides lead scheduled sightseeing visits only. Guides do not travel with guests on domestic flights, intercity buses, airport transfers, hotel transfers, or free-time periods unless this is specifically stated in the itinerary. For flights, buses, and transfers, guests are met by our driver or local representative at airports, bus terminals, or hotels and assisted with the planned transfer. One Nation Travel coordinates the full itinerary, hotels, domestic tickets, transfers, local guides, and support throughout the trip.