10 days in Istanbul & Bursa Itinerary

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Hagia Sophia Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Head to Kapali Carsi and Jennifer's Hamamfor some retail therapy. There's lots more to do: take a stroll through Beyoglu, take an in-depth tour of Galata Tower, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Suleymaniye Cami , and appreciate the extensive heritage of Pierre Loti Tepesi.

To see photos, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read Istanbul trip builder website.

Dammam, Saudi Arabia to Istanbul is an approximately 8-hour flight. When traveling from Dammam in November, plan for cooler days in Istanbul, with highs around 17°C, while nights are a bit cooler with lows around 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Wed) early enough to go by car to Bursa.

The first Ottoman capital and a World Heritage Site, Bursa is known as "The Royal Springs" for its famous hot mineral waters--though it offers much more than your typical spa destination.

Attractions like Koza Hani and Green Tomb make great kid-friendly stops. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Emir Sultan Camii and Tombs of Osman and Orhan. Change things up with a short trip to Mudanya Armistice House Museum in Mudanya (about 38 minutes away). The adventure continues: examine the collection at Tofas's Bursa Museum Of Anatolian Cars and get engrossed in the history at Bursa Archaeological Museum.

For where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Bursa day trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Istanbul to Bursa takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and taxi; or take a bus. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Istanbul in November since evenings lows in Bursa dip to 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Sun) to allow time for travel back home.