5-Day Private Istanbul & Bursa Tour: The Birth of the Ottoman Empire
This private 5-day, 4-night tour pairs Istanbul with the places where the Ottoman Empire began. After a guided day in Istanbul's old city, you travel to Söğüt for the tomb of Ertuğrul Gazi, to Bilecik for Şeyh Edebali, and to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, for the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi. A Bosphorus day completes the trip. Hotel, your own guide and vehicle, and entrance fees are included.
5.0 on Tripadvisor · 145 reviews of our private tours
Your route
Tap a stop or open a day in the itinerary to see where you are.
- Private vehicle
- Domestic flight
- 1Overnight stop
- Day visit
Why travelers choose this itinerary
The Ottoman story starts not in Istanbul but in the hills of northwest Anatolia. Söğüt holds the tomb of Ertuğrul Gazi, Bilecik that of Şeyh Edebali, and Bursa, the first capital, the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi. This tour adds that day to the essential sights of Istanbul, the city the Ottomans made their capital in 1453.
You stay in one hotel for all four nights, with your own guide and vehicle. Your guide plans the visits around prayer times on request.
Highlights
- Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar in one guided day
- The tomb of Ertuğrul Gazi in Söğüt
- The tomb of Şeyh Edebali in Bilecik
- Bursa, the first Ottoman capital: the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, the Grand Mosque and the Koza Han silk market
- A private Bosphorus cruise and Dolmabahçe Palace
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1Arrive in Istanbul
Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel in Sultanahmet, a short walk from Hagia Sophia. The rest of the day is free.
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Day 2Istanbul's Old City: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı and the Grand Bazaar
A full day with your guide in Sultanahmet. Walk the Hippodrome, visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, then spend about two hours in Topkapı Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans, with the Harem. Finish in the covered lanes of the Grand Bazaar.
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Day 3Söğüt, Bilecik and Bursa: Where the Ottoman Empire Began
An early start for a long day. Drive to Söğüt (about 3 hours) for the tomb of Ertuğrul Gazi, father of Osman, and the graves of his companions. Continue to Bilecik for the tomb of Şeyh Edebali, Osman's spiritual guide and father-in-law. In the afternoon, reach Bursa, the first Ottoman capital: the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, the Grand Mosque and the Koza Han silk market. Return to Istanbul in the evening (about 2.5 hours).
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Day 4The Bosphorus, Dolmabahçe and the Spice Bazaar
Start at the Spice Bazaar, then cruise the Bosphorus on a private boat between Europe and Asia. Visit Dolmabahçe Palace, the 19th-century home of the last sultans, and end the day at the Eyüp Sultan Mosque and the view from Pierre Loti Hill over the Golden Horn.
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Day 5Departure
After breakfast, your driver takes you to the airport for your flight home.
What's included
- 4 nights in a 4-star hotel in Sultanahmet with daily breakfast
- Private professional guide on every touring day
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- Airport transfers
- Private Bosphorus boat
- Entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary
- All taxes and service fees
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches, dinners and drinks
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Turkish visa, if required
Optional extras
- Upgrade to a 5-star hotel for all 4 nights
- A night in Bursa instead of the long day trip
- Extra days in Istanbul or on to Cappadocia
Hotels (or similar)
- Istanbul: 4-star hotel in Sultanahmet, or similar
Price per person (USD)
The price depends on how many people travel together, because your guide and vehicle are private. Children 0 to 1 travel free; children 2 to 6 pay the child price and count toward group size.
| Travelers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $3,215 | $1,690 | $1,290 | $1,090 | $980 | $895 |
| Child 2–6 | – | $845 | $645 | $545 | $490 | $450 |
Prices valid as of October 15, 2026. Bookings close 10 days before the start date: book today and the earliest start date is October 25, 2026.
| Travelers | Adult | Child 2–6 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,215 | – |
| 2 | $1,690 | $845 |
| 3 | $1,290 | $645 |
| 4 | $1,090 | $545 |
| 5 | $980 | $490 |
| 6+ | $895 | $450 |
- Upgrade to 5-star hotels: +$225 per adult for the whole tour.
- Guide in English is included. Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Chinese or Japanese: +$285 for the whole group, shared between the travelers (Chinese and Japanese on request).
Good to know
- Day 3 is long: about 12 hours with 6 hours on the road. If you prefer, we can add a night in Bursa.
- Tombs and mosques require modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, and a headscarf for women.
- Topkapı Palace closes on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays; your guide adjusts the order of visits.
- Bookings close 10 days before the start date. Reserve with a 30% deposit; cancellation is free up to 30 days before travel.
Your guide
Your guide will be one of our licensed team: classmates from Adnan Menderes University with 14 to 15 years of guiding each, plus trusted licensed colleagues in every region.
KübraEnglish, Spanish
Selçuk YılmazEnglish
Can AteşEnglish, French
Bahar ÖzdemirEnglish, Spanish, Arabic
Ege ErtaşEnglish
Osman DemirEnglish
From past trips on this route
Guests on this route
Photos our guests shared after their private tours.
What travelers say
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor from 145 reviews of our private tours. Excerpts quoted as written.
“Our minivan was very comfortable, the drivers were punctual and very helpful”
ElenaDit · August 2026 · Tripadvisor
“He was always on the phone when we have question.”
탁동 홍 · September 2026 · Tripadvisor
FAQ
Is this tour private?
Yes. Only your party travels, with a guide and vehicle reserved for you. Prices are per person and decrease as your party grows; children 0 to 1 travel free.
Is this the place from the Diriliş: Ertuğrul series?
Yes. Söğüt is where Ertuğrul Gazi settled and is buried, and Bursa is where Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi are buried. The series is fiction, but the places and the people are real, and your guide explains the history behind them.
Can we plan around prayer times?
Yes. Tell us when you book and your guide will plan the visits so you can pray at the mosques on the route.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes. Entrance fees to Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace are included. The tombs in Söğüt, Bilecik and Bursa are free to visit.