★★★★★
A family trip with a detailed itinerary, with bookings, transfers and guides arranged and regular check-ins during the trip.
Tour Overview
Discover Ottoman Heritage in Istanbul, Bursa & Söğüt in 8 Days
This 8-day Istanbul, Bursa, Ertuğrul Gazi and Söğüt tour is a Turkey Ottoman heritage tour built for travellers who want to understand how a small frontier principality became one of the great empires of history. In seven nights you move through the story in order: Byzantine Constantinople and imperial Istanbul, the island calm of the Princes’ Islands, Bursa, the first great Ottoman capital, and Söğüt, the highland town tied to Ertuğrul Gazi and the origins of the Ottoman dynasty. It is a complete Turkey history and culture package, not a list of photo stops.
The journey opens with an unhurried arrival and airport transfer, followed by a full Istanbul Old City and Sultanahmet historical tour. Here the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace stand within walking distance of one another, so your guide can show how Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul grew on top of each other. A day later you board a ferry for a Princes’ Islands day trip from Istanbul, where historic wooden mansions, shaded lanes and the sea air give a perfect contrast to the monumental days. A highlights day then crosses between Europe and Asia, taking in Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus shoreline, Galata and panoramic viewpoints, before a free day lets you shop in the Grand Bazaar, eat well and explore at your own pace.
The second half of the programme turns to roots. Your Bursa Ottoman history tour visits Ulu Cami, the Green Mosque, the Green Tomb, the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, and the old covered market of Koza Han, with an overnight stay at the foot of Mount Uludağ. The next morning a private Ertuğrul Gazi tour from Bursa by car with driver reaches Söğüt and the tomb of Ertuğrul Gazi, then visits other sites linked to the early Ottoman beylik before returning to Istanbul. For readers of Ottoman history, and for anyone who has followed the story on screen, standing where the tradition places the dynasty’s beginnings is the emotional high point of the trip.
This Istanbul cultural and historical holiday suits history enthusiasts, couples, families with older children, mature travellers and small groups of friends. Four days are guided as a small-group group tour, one day is a private tour, one day is entirely free, and you can upgrade the whole programme to a fully private tour with your own vehicle and a flexible pace. Because every transfer, hotel night and sightseeing day is arranged for you, the plan works equally well for first-time visitors to Turkey and for returning guests who want to go deeper than the usual Istanbul-and-Cappadocia route.
This tour operates all year round. Departures are available in every month, not only on a fixed calendar date, so you can choose the season that suits you: the spring bloom, the long light of summer, the golden colours of autumn or the quiet, atmospheric days of winter, when the great mosques are calmer and the cafés feel warmer. Your date is confirmed in a written quotation within hours of your inquiry.
As an Istanbul-based Turkey tour operator with a 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor, The History Travel Agency organises each stage personally, from the meeting at the airport to the final departure transfer. Read the day-by-day itinerary below, explore the guide to every place you will visit, then send an inquiry or reserve online.
8-day Istanbul Bursa Ertuğrul Gazi tourIstanbul Bursa Söğüt historical tourErtuğrul Gazi tomb and Söğüt tourTurkey Ottoman heritage tourIstanbul cultural and historical holidayPrinces’ Islands day trip from IstanbulBursa Ottoman history tourPrivate Ertuğrul Gazi tour from BursaTurkey history and culture package8-day Turkey guided tour package
Operates all year round. Choose any travel date: tell us your preferred month and we will confirm hotels, guides and the private Söğüt day for that departure.
Duration
8 Days
7 nights
Season
All Year
daily departures on request
Style
Group or Private
4 group days · 1 private day
Price
from €1,090
group · private €1,690
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This tour operates all year round, so you choose the start date. Tap any day to see the places you will visit, where you will sleep and what is included. Timings are approximate and can change with traffic, weather and opening hours.
1
Welcome to the city that straddles two continents. You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. The first day is deliberately light: rest, take a gentle stroll, sip Turkish tea and watch the skyline light up.
Tip: keep your passport and medication in hand luggage and share your flight number so the transfer is timed to your landing.
Airport & hotel transfer
2
The heart of Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul, explored on foot with your guide. Five landmarks, all within the historic peninsula, tell the story of Constantinople becoming Istanbul.
Hippodrome of Constantinople
The old chariot track of the Byzantine capital, now Sultanahmet Square. See the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain, and learn how this arena hosted the empire’s sport, politics and ceremonies.
Hagia Sophia
Justinian’s sixth-century masterpiece and its immense floating dome. Your guide explains its engineering, its mosaics and how successive empires adapted the same building.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Completed in 1616 with six minarets, cascading domes and thousands of blue İznik tiles. Visits follow prayer times and modest dress rules.
Basilica Cistern
A vast underground Byzantine reservoir of 336 columns, lit softly and cool even in summer, famous for its Medusa-head column bases.
Topkapı Palace
The Ottoman sultans’ residence for four centuries: courtyards, the Imperial Council, the Harem quarter and terraces over the Bosphorus.
A day that connects the dots: the same hilltop, the same city, three empires.
Guided Old City tour Entrance tickets as per quotation
3
Swap city streets for the Sea of Marmara. Over the day you reach the islands, once a retreat for Byzantine princes and later Istanbul’s favourite summer escape, and visit five places.
Scenic ferry crossing
Leave the Old City skyline behind and watch domes and minarets recede as the ferry crosses to the islands, with gulls following the stern.
Büyükada pier & clock square
Arrive at the largest of the islands, where the harbour square, ferry pier and seafront cafés set the relaxed tone of the day.
Historic wooden mansions
Walk lanes of painted Ottoman-era villas with balconies, carved eaves and flowering gardens, and learn about the Greek, Armenian, Jewish and Turkish families who built them.
St George Monastery hill
A pine-scented climb to the hilltop monastery of Aya Yorgi, long a place of pilgrimage, with panoramic views over the Marmara and the other islands.
Seaside lunch & harbour stroll
Time for a fish lunch or a café on the water, a swim in warm months, or a leisurely ride through car-free streets.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer. Ferry times and sea conditions can adjust the schedule.
Island ferry & tour Bicycle or carriage rental not included
4
A wider look at the living city, crossing the Bosphorus between two continents. Five stops show Istanbul beyond the Old City monuments.
Dolmabahçe Palace
The 19th-century Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus shore, with its crystal staircase, grand ceremonial hall and rooms where Atatürk spent his last days.
Bosphorus shoreline & Ortaköy
Follow the strait that joins the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, passing waterfront mansions, the Ortaköy Mosque and the Bosphorus Bridge.
Galata Tower & Karaköy
The medieval Genoese tower and the old trading quarter around it, with some of the best panoramic views of the Golden Horn.
Çamlıca Hill (Asian side)
A high viewpoint on the Asian shore that lays out the whole city, its domes, minarets and two continents in one frame.
Üsküdar waterfront & Maiden’s Tower
Cross to Üsküdar for its Ottoman mosques, tea gardens and the view of Kız Kulesi, the tiny tower standing in the strait.
Exact stops and any Bosphorus cruise are confirmed in your written quotation.
Guided highlights tour
5
A full day for yourself, a deliberate pause in the programme. We suggest five places to build your own day, and our team can arrange any of them as an extra.
Grand Bazaar
Over four thousand shops under painted vaulted halls: ceramics, textiles, lanterns, leather and jewellery. Bargaining is part of the fun.
Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
Pyramids of spices, Turkish delight, dried fruit and teas in a 17th-century market on the Golden Horn.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Sinan’s masterpiece on the third hill, with a quiet courtyard and wide terrace views over the Golden Horn.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums
Roman sarcophagi, Hittite treasures and Byzantine finds, a good rainy-day alternative close to Topkapı.
Galata & Karaköy cafés
Turkish coffee, baklava and street art in one of the city’s liveliest districts.
Tip: carry small change and check opening hours of the attractions you choose.
Free day, meals and tickets not included
6
Travel to Bursa, the first great Ottoman capital, under Mount Uludağ. You visit six of the city’s defining monuments.
Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque)
Completed around 1400 under Bayezid I, famed for its twenty domes, monumental calligraphy and central fountain.
Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami)
An early-fifteenth-century mosque of Mehmed I, celebrated for its richly tiled interior and delicate carved portal.
Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe)
The turquoise-tiled mausoleum of Sultan Mehmed I, one of the finest early Ottoman funerary monuments.
Tombs of Osman Gazi & Orhan Gazi
The resting places of the dynasty’s founder and his son, in Tophane above the old city, where Bursa’s history becomes personal.
Koza Han & the covered bazaar
The 15th-century silk caravanserai and its courtyard tea garden, still the centre of Bursa’s silk and textile trade.
Local specialities
Taste İskender kebab, born in Bursa, and chestnut candy in the old market.
An overnight in Bursa means you reach Söğüt rested the next morning.
Group sightseeing & Bursa hotel
7
The heartland of the early Ottomans, explored privately and at your own pace. Five stops follow the story from Bursa toward Bilecik province.
Scenic drive through Bilecik province
Hills, valleys and plateaus along the road the early Ottoman frontier clans are said to have travelled.
Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb, Söğüt
The principal focus of the day: a quiet place of remembrance for the father of Osman Gazi. Dress modestly and speak softly.
Söğüt town & Ottoman memorial grounds
The small town associated with the beginnings of the Ottoman principality, with its mosque and memorial spaces.
Söğüt museum & historical exhibits
Displays on Ertuğrul Gazi, the Kayı tribe and the early beylik, subject to opening hours on the day.
Sheikh Edebali Tomb, Bilecik
The spiritual advisor of Osman Gazi, whose tomb in Bilecik is one of the region’s best-known historical sites.
A long road day: bring water, wear comfortable clothes and allow flexibility for traffic. A licensed guide can be added on request.
Private car with driver Licensed guide on request
8
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your onward flight. Allow generous time for traffic and airport procedures; your pick-up time is confirmed the day before.
Your journey has linked Constantinople, Bursa and Söğüt, a short route through a very long history.
Airport transfer
Places You Will Visit
Stories Behind Every Stop
Day 2Istanbul · Sultanahmet
Hagia Sophia
Built in the sixth century under Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia is one of the great engineering feats of the ancient world. Its vast dome seems to float above the nave, and its walls carry the layered history of Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul.
Why goThe icon of Istanbul’s skyline
DressModest; head covering for women
Day 2Istanbul · Sultanahmet
Blue Mosque & the Hippodrome
Completed in 1616, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is known for its cascade of domes, six minarets and thousands of blue İznik tiles. Opposite, the Hippodrome keeps the Egyptian Obelisk and other monuments from Constantinople’s age of chariot races and imperial ceremony.
NoteClosed to visitors at prayer times
Best lightEarly morning
Day 3Sea of Marmara
The Princes’ Islands
An island group within sailing distance of the old city, long favoured for villas, pine woods and quiet lanes. Byzantine princes were once exiled here, which gave the islands their name. Today they are a peaceful contrast to the capital.
Getting thereScenic ferry crossing
BringWalking shoes, light jacket
Day 6Bursa
Ulu Cami, Green Mosque & Green Tomb
Bursa fell to the Ottomans in the fourteenth century and became their first major capital. The Ulu Cami (about 1400) impresses with twenty domes and bold calligraphy; the Green Mosque and Green Tomb of Mehmed I show early Ottoman tilework at its most refined.
SignificanceBirthplace of Ottoman architecture
Don’t missHistoric market streets
Day 7Söğüt · Bilecik
Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb & Söğüt
Söğüt is remembered as the frontier town where Ertuğrul Gazi’s people settled and where his son Osman later founded the Ottoman principality. The tomb is a place of reflection and respect, and the surrounding landscape helps explain how a small beylik became an empire.
EtiquetteDress modestly, speak softly
TransportPrivate car with driver
Topic Highlights
Tour Highlights: What Makes This Turkey Heritage Tour Special
Imperial Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and Topkapı Palace read as one continuous Byzantine and Ottoman story, with a guide who connects the dots.
Princes’ Islands Escape
A ferry across the Sea of Marmara to car-free lanes, painted wooden mansions, St George Monastery hill and a seaside lunch.
Bosphorus, Europe & Asia
Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy, Galata and Çamlıca Hill show Istanbul as a living city spread across two continents.
Ottoman Bursa
Ulu Cami, the Green Mosque, the Green Tomb and the tombs of Osman and Orhan Gazi in the first great Ottoman capital.
Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb, Söğüt
A private visit to the tomb and the heartland where the Ottoman story is said to have begun.
Private Söğüt Day
A flexible car-with-driver excursion with room to linger, plus an optional licensed guide.
Free Day & Bazaars
A full day to shop in the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, eat well and explore at your own pace.
7 Nights, Easy Pacing
Six nights in Istanbul and one in Bursa, with a gentle arrival day and a comfortable overnight before the long drive.
Open All Year Round
Daily departures in every season, with a programme that works in spring bloom, summer sun, autumn colour and winter calm.
Best Season to Visit
Best Time to Take This Istanbul, Bursa & Söğüt Tour
This tour operates all year round, so there is no wrong month, only a choice of mood. The best seasons for comfortable sightseeing are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures are mild, the light is soft and the Princes’ Islands and the long drive to Söğüt are at their most pleasant. Summer is warm and lively, and winter is quiet, atmospheric and good value.
Spring · March – May
Tulips bloom in Istanbul’s parks, Bursa’s gardens turn green and days are mild and bright. Ideal for walking the Old City and the islands.
Summer · June – August
Long, hot days and warm sea. The islands are at their liveliest and you can swim; start sightseeing early and keep afternoons for shade and cafés.
Autumn · September – November
Golden light, comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds make this a favourite for photography and long days at Bursa and Söğüt.
Winter · December – February
Cool, atmospheric and quiet. The great mosques and museums are calmer, and Uludağ above Bursa may be snow-capped. Pack warm layers and a rain jacket.
Planning tip: Istanbul’s main monuments and Bursa’s mosques are largely indoors or covered, so rain rarely spoils the programme. Tell us your preferred month when you inquire and we will confirm hotels, ferry timings and the private Söğüt day for that date.
Included & Excluded
What’s Included in Your Tour
Included
- 7 nights’ accommodation: 6 Istanbul, 1 Bursa
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- 4 group sightseeing days (Old City, Princes’ Islands, Highlights, Bursa)
- 1 private car-with-driver day to Söğüt
- Sightseeing arrangements per the confirmed program
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from our team
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance and personal medical costs
- Meals and drinks unless stated in your quotation
- Museum and monument tickets; Princes’ Islands ferry fare unless quoted
- Optional cruises, hammam, tips and personal expenses
- Extra nights, early check-in or late check-out
Hotel names, meals, tickets and ferry fares are confirmed in your written quotation before you pay.
Tour Price
Transparent Pricing
Group Tour
- €1,090 per adult (twin-share)
- €820 per child (4–11)
- Four group days, one private day
Private Tour
- €1,690 per adult (twin-share)
- €1,250 per child (4–11)
- Private transport and flexible pacing
How this compares: comparable 7-night Turkey heritage packages with hotels, transfers and mixed guided days commonly sell in the €1,000–€1,900 per person range, depending on hotel category and group size. Prices are indicative, apply to departures all year round and may vary by season; your quotation is the final price.
Smart Travel Suggestions
Plan It Like a Local
Practical recommendations to help you choose the best version of this itinerary for your travel style.
For Families
The free day and gentle first day give children room to rest. Ask about walking distances and the length of the Söğüt drive.
For History Lovers
Add a licensed guide to Day 7 for the fullest Ertuğrul Gazi context, and request a visit time that avoids midday crowds.
For Photographers
Shoot Sultanahmet early, the island harbour on arrival and Bursa’s tilework in soft morning light.
Any Season Works
The tour runs all year. Pack layers in spring and autumn, sun protection in summer and a warm coat for winter; the monuments suit every season.
Eat Well
Try Bursa’s famous İskender kebab, Istanbul’s breakfast spreads and fresh fish at the island harbour.
Respect & Dress
Cover shoulders and knees; women carry a scarf. Remove shoes in mosques and mind prayer times.
Guest Reviews
5 Stars Excellent Service · The History Travel Agency
5.0
★★★★★
33 reviews on TripAdvisor
Summaries of guest reviews of The History Travel on TripAdvisor, covering tours in Istanbul and across Turkey. Read all reviews on TripAdvisor.
★★★★★
A 10-day family package booked on a friend’s recommendation, described as friendly, knowledgeable and well organised.
★★★★★
A 7-day Cappadocia package given as a gift, praising the owner and staff for amazing service.
★★★★★
A full Istanbul day with the guides, a great lunch, the main mosques and Topkapı, at a fair price.
★★★★★
A personalised itinerary, knowledgeable English-speaking guides, and good hotels and transport.
★★★★★
A well-sequenced Istanbul plan, adjusted quickly to give more rest when a family member was unwell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before You Book
Seven hotel nights (six in Istanbul, one in Bursa), airport transfers, four group sightseeing days and one private car-with-driver excursion to Söğüt. Meals, tickets and ferry fares are confirmed in your written quotation.
Istanbul Old City and Sultanahmet, the Princes’ Islands, Istanbul highlights, Bursa and Söğüt, with a free day in Istanbul.
Yes. The private Söğüt excursion is built around the tomb and the surrounding historical landscape; final stops are confirmed in your quotation.
Bursa was an early Ottoman capital in the fourteenth century. Its Ulu Cami, Green Mosque and Green Tomb show the dynasty’s formative architecture.
Yes, it is a private car-with-driver day. The driver is not a guide, but we can add a licensed guide on request.
Group tour from €1,090 and private tour from €1,690 per adult, twin-share. Final prices depend on dates, hotel category and group size.
Yes. Children aged 4–11 have reduced rates, and the free day gives families time to rest.
Comfortable walking shoes, layers, a light waterproof jacket and modest clothing for mosque visits.
Reservations
Book Your 8-Day Istanbul, Bursa & Söğüt Tour
TOUR CODE: KNY-565
€0
per adult, private tour
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- Group and private sightseeing days
- All airport & city transfers
- Secure payment options
- Free cancellation (48 hrs prior)
Prefer to talk? Call or WhatsApp:
0090 536 560 10 38
0090 536 560 10 38
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Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Date changes are accommodated subject to availability.
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