Stops along the way
Stops between İstanbul and Bursa
241 km, roughly 3 hours of driving. The stops below are ordered as you pass them — the same road in both directions.
In short
The drive between İstanbul and Bursa is 241 km and takes roughly 3 hours. There are 542 described places within 20 km of this route; it crosses 4 provinces, and the densest stretch is in Bursa (248 places).
There are 542 places within 20 km of this corridor; the 46 below are spread evenly along the drive.
1
Avrupa Kültür Başkenti Mübadele Müzesi
Çatalca, İstanbul
The European Capital of Culture Exchange Museum is Turkey's first migration-themed museum, providing an important space for those nostalgic about the past.
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2
Arnavutköy Yeniköy Halk Plajı
Arnavutköy, İstanbul
Arnavutköy Yeniköy Public Beach is a public beach candidate included in the official 2025 Blue Flag list.
3
Miniatürk
Beyoğlu, İstanbul
Miniatürk is Turkey's first miniature park, showcasing 120 fixed models of significant cultural artifacts. The park aims to promote cultural heritage with representations from Istanbul and Anatolia.
4
İstanbul Deniz Müzesi
Beşiktaş, İstanbul
Istanbul Naval Museum is an important museum with one of the largest and richest collections in the field of maritime in Turkey.
5
Jale Kuşhan Balmumu Heykel Müzesi
Kağıthane, İstanbul
The Jale Kuşhan Wax Sculpture Museum is established to promote wax sculpture art in Turkey. The museum showcases wax figures of significant figures from Turkish and world history.
6
Galatasaray Müzesi
Sarıyer, İstanbul
Galatasaray Museum, established in 1915 by Ali Sami Yen, is Turkey's first sports museum. It showcases the history and achievements of Galatasaray Sports Club.
7
Sadberk Hanim Müzesi
Sarıyer, İstanbul
Sadberk Hanım Museum is located in a 19th-century building and hosts a rich collection of artifacts.
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8
Rumeli Feneri
Sarıyer, İstanbul
Rumeli Feneri is a historic lighthouse located at the point where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea.
9
Borusan Contemporary / Perili Köşk
Sarıyer, İstanbul
Borusan Contemporary, also known as Perili Köşk, is a museum in Istanbul showcasing contemporary art collections. It offers a unique experience for art enthusiasts.
10
Beylerbeyi Sarayı
Üsküdar, İstanbul
Beylerbeyi Palace was built as a summer residence for Ottoman sultans and served to host foreign heads of state.
11
Küçüksu Kasri
Beykoz, İstanbul
Küçüksu Pavilion is a historical structure located in the Bosphorus, used as one of the sultans' private gardens during the Ottoman period.
12
Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü Müzesi
Kadıköy, İstanbul
The Fenerbahçe Sports Club Museum showcases the 100 years of achievements and awards of Fenerbahçe, an essential part of Turkish sports.
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13
Polonezköy
Beykoz, İstanbul
Polonezköy is a village located 30 km away from Istanbul, immersed in nature. It is a peaceful getaway with walking paths and cycling trails.
14
İstanbul Oyuncak Müzesi
Kadıköy, İstanbul
The Istanbul Toy Museum, founded by poet-writer Sunay Akın, opened its doors in 2005. The museum showcases over 4,000 toys acquired from various parts of the world.
15
Adalar Müzesi
Adalar, İstanbul
The Adalar Museum, Istanbul's first contemporary city museum, opened in 2010. It offers visitors an interactive experience showcasing the nature, history, and cultural richness of the Islands.
16
Aya Yorgi Rum Manastiri / Yücetepe
Adalar, İstanbul
The Aya Yorgi Greek Orthodox Monastery is a historic site located at the highest point of Büyükada. Built in 963 AD, it is dedicated to Saint Georgios.
17
HünkÂr Çeşmesi Ve Çayiri
Gebze, Kocaeli
Hünkâr Çeşmesi and Çayırı is a historical site dedicated to Fatih Sultan Mehmet, featuring a fountain and hosting traditional wrestling festivals annually.
18
Bayramoğlu Adası
Darıca, Kocaeli
Bayramoğlu Island is a peninsula known for its historical background and natural beauty. It is an ideal place for walking during the summer months.
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19
Ballikayalar
Gebze, Kocaeli
Ballıkayalar is a nature park located in Gebze, offering an ideal area for mountaineering.
20
Ballikayalar Vadisi - Gebze
Gebze, Kocaeli
Ballıkayalar Valley, located in Tavşanlı Village of Gebze, is a natural park ideal for climbers.
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21
Çerkeşli Kayalitepe
Dilovası, Kocaeli
This route, which goes from Çerkeşli village to the summit of Kayalıtepe, is the longest of Kocaeli'nin natural hiking routes. In addition to the length of the distance, the steep ascent and descent should be taken into consideration. Çerkeşli Village forms the starting point of this route.
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22
Safiye Başdeğirmen
Karamürsel, Kocaeli
This route, which involves no difficulty, can be walked without any problems in all four seasons. A part of the route consists of a trail, and a very small part consists of a dirt vehicle road. The route, which starts right inside Safiye Köyü, continues on paths parallel to Suludere.
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23
Fulacik Valideköprü
Karamürsel, Kocaeli
From Fulacık to Valide Köprü or vice versa, whichever way you walk, it is a route without difficulty in all four seasons. This route, which goes from Fulacık Köyü toward Valide Köprü Mahallesi, is of a kind that everyone can easily complete.
24
Valide Sultan Köprüsü
Altınova, Yalova
Valide Sultan Bridge is an important work from the Ottoman Period, located on the road from Karamursel to Iznik.
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25
Çoban Kale
Altınova, Yalova
Çoban Kale is a strategic fortress located in Altınova, Yalova, along the historic Silk Road. It offers visitors an intriguing experience with its historical and natural beauty.
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26
Taşköprü
Çiftlikköy, Yalova
Taşköprü is a historical bridge located in Çiftlikköy, Yalova, with an estimated history of around 400 years.
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27
Hacı Ali Paşa Cami (ahmet Çelebi) (Çarşı Cami)
Yalova merkez, Yalova
Hacı Ali Paşa Mosque, located in the center of Armutlu, is a historical mosque believed to have been built during the Orhan Gazi period and is registered as a protected cultural asset.
28
Yalova Kent Müzesi
Yalova merkez, Yalova
Yalova City Museum showcases the history and cultural heritage of Yalova.
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29
Açik Hava Müzesi
Yalova merkez, Yalova
The Open Air Museum in Yalova is a venue showcasing historical artifacts with a history of 6000 years.
30
Karaca Arboretum Canli Ağaç Müzesi
Yalova merkez, Yalova
Karaca Arboretum is Turkey's first private arboretum, covering 13.5 hectares and hosting around 7,000 plant species.
31
İznik Gölü
İznik, Bursa
Lake İznik, the largest natural lake in the Marmara Region and Turkey’s 5th largest, is a tectonic freshwater lake with a maximum depth of 80 m. The area has Important Bird Area (IBA) status due to the pygmy cormorant and black-crowned night heron, which establish mixed colonies among dense reed beds. Other breeding species include hundreds of pairs of great crested grebe, squacco heron, little egret and grey heron.
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32
Kurşunlu Hamamı
Termal, Yalova
Kursunlu Hamamı was built in the 16th century during the Byzantine Empire and has been restored during the Ottoman period to reach the present day.
33
Termal Kaplıcaları
Termal, Yalova
The Thermal Springs in Yalova are among Turkey's most important spa areas, renowned for their healing waters.
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34
Deniz Avciliği
Termal, Yalova
Trout can be fished at Sudüşen Waterfall in Termal. There are trout facilities near Elmalık village and Kurtköy. In addition, sea fishing is carried out extensively in our province on the shores of Çınarcık, Esenköy, Armutlu, Kapaklı and Fıstıklı.
35
Celal Bayar Müzesi
Gemlik, Bursa
The Celal Bayar Museum is located in the house where Turkey's 3rd President Celal Bayar was born, featuring historical artifacts and a library.
36
Balikpazari Cami / Yeni Camii
Gemlik, Bursa
Balikpazari Mosque was converted from the Paragia-Pazariotissa church in 1922-23. The structure, built on an area of 307 square meters, features a minaret and a place for ablution in the courtyard.
37
Gürsu Tirmanma Yarişlari
Gürsu, Bursa
The district’s terrain structure, suitable for hill climb races, makes it a preferred choice in organizations held across Turkey as well. In this context, 28 competitors participated in the 2006 Turkey Hill Climb Race, 34 competitors in the 2007 hill climb race, and nearly 100 competitors in the 2008 hill climb race, while the same level of participation continued in 2009 and 2010. Gürsu also hosted the 2011 hill climb races.
38
Aktopraklik Höyük Arkeopark Ve Açikhava Müzesi
Nilüfer, Bursa
It is considered the largest prehistoric park in Europe. Reconstructions from periods dating back to 8 thousand 500 years ago are included. The Arkeopark, where finds discovered in excavations carried out in the region are also exhibited, was brought to life through the cooperation of Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyesi and İstanbul Üniversitesi. The park, which will carry Bursa’s 8 thousand 500-year history into the future, is an exemplary historical and touristic place.
39
Trilye (zeytinbağı)
Mudanya, Bursa
Trilye is a town known for its olives and wine, located on the Mudanya coast of Bursa. It is a hidden paradise waiting to be discovered with its historical structures and natural beauty.
40
Kumyaka Kilisesi / Başmelekler-hagios Taxiarchoi Kilisesi
Mudanya, Bursa
Kumyaka Church, located in the Mudanya district of Bursa, is a historical structure from the Byzantine era. Its square plan and dome make it a notable site.
41
Panagia Pontobasilissa Kilisesi
Mudanya, Bursa
The Panagia Pontobasilissa Church, built in the late 13th century, holds great significance for the Christian community. Known as the Arched Church among locals, it features layered frescoes on its walls.
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42
Yeşil İmareti
Yıldırım, Bursa
It was built in the 15th century, during the reign of Çelebi Sultan Mehmet, under the supervision of Hacı İvaz. Today, a large part of it is still standing. The imaret and dining hall walls have also survived to the present day. Its roof has completely collapsed. The two-domed kitchen section is quite sound. The main walls were built with stone and brick, and the storage section is also in a collapsed state. On Fridays, Çelebi Sultan Mehmet used to distribute food to the poor from this imaret.
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43
Emir Sultan Külliyesi
Yıldırım, Bursa
Emir Sultan, who lived in Bursa in the first quarter of the 15th century and died in 1429, was born in Bukhara. Because he was descended from Hz. Muhammed, he was called "Emir," and because he won hearts, he was called "Sultan," and he became renowned by the name "Emir Sultan." His real name is Muhammed. He was shown great respect in Bursa. He married Hundi Hatun, the daughter of the Ottoman sultans Yıldırım Beyazıd.
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44
Hünkar Köşkü
Yıldırım, Bursa
Hünkar Köşkü Museum was built in Temenyeri on the slopes of Uludağ during the reign of Abdülmecit to serve as a hunting lodge. The mansion was built in 1859. Abdülaziz and V.
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45
Balabancık ve Gazi Aktimur Hisarı
Yıldırım, Bursa
Gazi Osman Bey planned to turn toward Bursa after Bilecik, İnegöl, Sakarya and Yenişehir. Since the Bursa castle, surrounded by steep rocks, could not be taken easily, Osman Gazi built two observation points that we call havale towers, one on the hill to the east of the city and the other near the hot springs to the west of the city, and blockaded the city by controlling the entrances and exits.
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46
Aladdin Paşa Cami
Osmangazi, Bursa
According to sources describing the early Ottoman period, it was commissioned in 1326 by Alaaddin Bey, one of Osman Gazi’s sons and Orhan Bey’s brother. It is known as the first mosque built in Bursa. In the repair carried out in 1861-62 of the mosque, which was heavily damaged in the 1855 earthquake, some parts were altered, its portico was rebuilt, and a triangular pediment, unsuitable for a Turkish minaret, was made on its facade.
Move the stops into your own plan, split them across days, and add places to sleep and eat.
Frequently asked
- How far is it between İstanbul and Bursa, and how long does it take?
- Driving between İstanbul and Bursa is roughly 241 kilometres and takes about 3 hours without stops.
- Where is it worth stopping between İstanbul and Bursa?
- There are 542 described places within 20 km of the road between İstanbul and Bursa. toroti lists 46 of them spread evenly along the drive, in the order you pass them; Avrupa Kültür Başkenti Mübadele Müzesi comes early on, and Aladdin Paşa Cami sits near the end.
- Which provinces does the İstanbul to Bursa route cross?
- The route between İstanbul and Bursa crosses İstanbul → Kocaeli → Yalova → Bursa. The stretch richest in places to visit is in Bursa.
- Should I take the toll highway or traditional route between İstanbul and Bursa?
- Toll motorways save driving time between İstanbul and Bursa, whereas traditional state roads pass directly through historic town centers, local culinary stops, and scenic nature viewpoints.
- How should breaks be scheduled between İstanbul and Bursa?
- For a drive of around 3 hours, taking a break every 2 to 2.5 hours is recommended. The catalogued attractions in Bursa and neighboring provinces offer memorable stopovers compared to generic highway rest areas.