TaipeiAccommodation
Good · #36 of 62
7.5/10
When i visited there were limited quality options on Airbnb, so you would be best off in a hotel. Hotel Tugcu was a decent option with an excellent breakfast in a good area of town.
TurkeyVisited Nov 2022 · 1 week
Bursa
Unless you are looking for some buttery kebabs, you can safely avoid.
Would avoid
This guide was written 3 years ago
Prices, opening hours and recommendations may have changed since my visit, so double-check anything important before you book.
Located in northwestern Turkey, Bursa is a large city known for its historic markets, grand mosques, and thermal spas.
Nestled against the backdrop of the Uludağ mountains, it offers rich heritage, natural beauty and a glimpse at a more conservative side of modern Turkey.
Unless specifically interested in exploring the neighboring mountains, I'd avoid Bursa. If in the area, it might be worth a morning or afternoon visit.
At a glance
Coworking
Ok · #55 of 62
5.5/10
In the Old Town part of the city, there was nothing in the way of Coworking locations or suitable coffee shops to work from. Further towards Nilufer, there are a couple of decent options but a fair journey from the historic area.
Value
Good · #58 of 62
6.5/10
Very similar prices to the rest of the country, making it good value with foreign money
Excitement
Poor · #59 of 62
3.9/10
For a city of such a large size, both in terms of population and geographical area, Bursa was one of the least interesting places I’ve visited in recent years. Unless you’re visiting specifically for Uludağ or the city’s mosques, there is very little of interest to warrant a stop.
Plan
Summary
Cost of living
$756a month, before rent
Basic living costs, rent not included
Day-to-day spending for a month: two meals out and a coffee every day, three taxis and two nights out a week, a gym and a coworking desk. Add your rent on top.
Very Affordable- Meal in a casual restaurant$7.00
- Speciality coffee$2.00
- Pint of local beer$2.50
- Cocktail$6.00
- Taxi for 2 miles$3.50
- Men's haircut$8.00
- Women's haircut$20
- Gym membership, monthly$61
- Coworking, monthly$76
Prices as of Oct 2026. Confidence: low (gym & coworking verified; other prices restated at 2026-10-07 exchange rates). Sources: numbeo.com, regus.com. Always check locally before planning around them.
Duration & season
November was characterised by heavy mist and fog with the temperature still comfortable. With no access to the beach or waterfront, it's not a place you'd want to be during summer.
By month
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain mm | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 12 | 116 | wet month · peak season |
| February | 2 | 11 | 76 | peak season |
| March | 3 | 21 | 66 | |
| April | 8 | 22 | 90 | wet month · peak season |
| May | 10 | 26 | 72 | peak season |
| June | 19 | 35 | 2 | peak season |
| July | 22 | 37 | 15 | |
| August | 20 | 35 | 15 | |
| September | 16 | 30 | 52 | peak season |
| October | 9 | 23 | 79 | peak season |
| November | 6 | 20 | 69 | |
| December | 5 | 12 | 142 | wet month |
Wettest months Peak season
Typical daytime highs and overnight lows, from the last two years of observations (Open-Meteo). Rain icons mark the wettest months.
- Visitors a year
- 368k2024
- Crowds
- Low
- Peak season
- Jan–Feb, Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Low season
- Nov, Mar
Remote work visa
Digital nomad visa available
Turkey has launched a digital nomad visa programme for remote workers. If you're between 21 and 55 and hold citizenship from one of 36 countries across Europe and North America (including the US), you're eligible to apply.
The visa allows you to live and work remotely in Turkey for a set period, with benefits including affordable living costs, healthcare access, and the opportunity to experience Turkey's culture and scenery.
The requirements are standard for these types of visas. You'll need a valid passport with at least six months remaining, health insurance, proof of income, and documentation showing you're employed or self-employed.
The application process is handled online through Turkey's official platform. Once they've reviewed your documents and approved your application, you'll receive a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate. Take that certificate along with your supporting documents to a Turkish visa centre or consulate to complete the process.
Turkey is positioning itself to attract the growing digital nomad market. For remote workers considering their next base, Turkey offers lower living costs compared to most Western European destinations.
Working hours
Turkey adheres to GMT+2 in summer, reverting to GMT+3 in winter due to the absence of daylight saving time practices.
Live & work
Where to stay
I hope that I don't return to Bursa at any point, but if I did, I would not choose to stay in the Old Town again.
Nilüfer
RecommendedA more modern district with contemporary infrastructure, residential areas, and commercial zones. Well connected to the rest of the city and for me a better alternative.
Osmangazi
The Old Town has most of the cities main historic attractions, but for myself there was little value to staying in such a conservative area.
Where to work
In the Old Town part of the city, there was nothing in the way of Coworking locations or suitable coffee shops to work from. Further towards Nilufer, there are a couple of decent options but a fair journey from the historic area.
Workinton - Bursa Nilufer
Quality fit-outOn-site café
The Workinton chain has a number of offices across Turkey, with this being one of the best ones I had looked at.
Split over two floors there is plenty of natural light and a cafe with light meals available near the entrance.
Large desks, comfy chairs and plentiful space are all readily available.
Cumhuriyet, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Blv., 16140 Nilüfer/Bursa
Food & drink
Food
Haci Hasan Ogullari
Perfect place for a post-dinner Baklava and Dondurma.
Dürümcü Hazım Usta
One of the best Dürüms I have eaten throughout my travels in Turkey. Slightly tainted by being short changed on a return visit.
Off the clock
Off work
Sample an İskender kebap
Also known as a Bursa Kebap, it onsists of sliced meat topped with hot tomato sauce over pieces of pita bread, and generously slathered with melted special sheep's milk butter and yogurt. Particularly rich in flavour.
Explore Reşat Oyal Culture Park
Large open green space, ideal for morning runs.
Hike up Uludağ Mountain
Easily accessible from any part of the city centre, numerous paths can take you up to the mountain peak of Uludağ. Visibility tends to be poor but the thick forestry make it a joy to navigate.
Exercise
Walk
Uludağ Climb
The Uludağ mountain towers over Bursa. Little to eat or drink towards the top so bring supplies with you.
People
Bursa is regarded as one of the more conservative cities in the country and feels far removed from the more liberally minded coastal cities like Izmir and Antalya. Expect to see a noticeable islamic presence around the old town. As to be expected, nothing in the way of a remote work community.
Notes
Positives
The Old Town has plenty of character.
Potentially worth a day trip from Istanbul if you are looking to see somewhere else in the country.
The Uludağ mountain is impressive.
It's a great area for hiking and dominates the local landscape.
Negatives
A particularly conservative area of Turkey.
Not inherently a bad thing, but if you are looking for nightlife it will rank pretty close to the bottom.
Distinct lack of good coffee shops.
There appeared to be a couple half resembling some in Nilüfer, but there is nothing in the enormous expanse of the Old Town.
Super steep inclines in the Old Town.
Avoid booking any accommodation as the streets begin to ascend up to Uludağ unless you are looking for an intensive daily workout.
Tips
Istanbul can be reached via boat by heading out of town to the Guzelyali Marina.
The boats are comfortable and relatively frequent and dock at Yenikapı ferry port in Istanbul providing easy onward access to anywhere else in the city.
Supposedly good for winter sports.
This could be a reason to visit, if looking to make use of the large surrounding mountain range.
Planning a trip to Bursa?
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