Is Bursa Good for Kids?
We travel to learn about new places and the culture and history attached to them. But with most families, everyone has different tastes, preferences and needs. And this is especially true with kids. However happy and engaged they are with visiting museums and other cultural sites, there is only so much they can do.
So when I plan our travels, I always try to find a mixture of activities that are focused on their needs which keeps the destination exciting and leaves an overall positive experience for them.
We’ve never been short of finding something to do with the kids in Bursa. It is a big city, and more importantly, it’s a green city with a wide variety of activities for kids, indoors and outdoors.
As it is making a name for itself and now becoming one of the must-visit cities in Turkey, Bursa keeps on growing and offering more for families.
Museums for kids
Bursa Science and Technology Museum
This is a great museum for kids with no entrance fee, so it’s free. Every exhibit in this museum is interactive, ranging from optical illusions to forces.
There are workshops on weekends which need to be booked in advance on their website and are delivered in Turkish.
There is also a live science performance which is open to everyone in Turkish again.
GUHEM (The Gokmen Space and Aviation Training Center)
The GUHEM Museum is in the same building as the Science and Technology Museum. There is a fee for this museum as it’s only a few years old and showcases impressive exhibits. It’s also a very interactive museum and very informative with English translation.
My favourite part is the small reproduction of the Galata tower referring to Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi who flew from the top with “eagle wings” and got exiled for that.
Bursa City museum
The Bursa City Museum, also known as the Bursa Kent Müzesi, is a must-visit attraction to learn about the city of Bursa. The museum is located in the heart of the city, a short walk from the Grand Mosque and showcases the cultural heritage and history of Bursa.
You can explore various sections of the museum, each dedicated to a specific theme, such as Ottoman culture, traditional Turkish costumes, and Bursa fauna and flora.
One of the highlights of the museum is the recreated Ottoman street on the lower ground floor. It is fully furnished and decorated in the traditional style, with exhibits of the different crafts shops you would find in the city from carpenters to sweet shops.
Then the ground floor is a gallery that retraces the history of Bursa from Roman times until the fall of the Ottoman Empire in chronological order.
The first floor is all about Bursa culture with displays of Turkish baths, Karagöz puppet show, sports and fauna and flora among others.
The top floor is focused on contemporary Bursa and is a small reconstruction of the city and displays interesting memorabilia.
In addition, the museum hosts regular events and workshops during school holidays, including art exhibitions, music performances, and educational programs.
Parks for kids
Bursa, also known as Green Bursa has numerous parks throughout the city.
Kultur park
Now, this is a gem of a park that will please the whole family. It offers beautiful views of the Uludağ mountains and plenty of amenities and entertainment options.
There are cafes, playgrounds and plenty of picnic spaces throughout the park, so you can enjoy a bite to eat or let the kids have fun. And there is nothing to worry about when you hear the Adhan as there is a small mosque in this park.
But I think what would attract the kids the most, is the multitude of activities on offer. There is a small Luna park, with a classic Ferris wheel and thrilling rides. The outdoor park also offers high ropes, trampolines, and jumping castles. And for a more leisurely experience, you can rent paddle boats on the pond.
And if you’re a history buff, you won’t want to miss the Archeology Museum, home to fascinating artefacts from the Byzantine and ancient Greek periods.
I personally enjoy having some Midye Dolma which are mussels stuffed with spicy rice and filling up my bottle with fresh source water from the fountain.
Bursa zoo
Bursa Zoo is a very pleasant zoo with plenty of green space and amenities, and a very small entrance fee.
There is a good selection of animals for children to observe lions, zebras, wolves and reptiles. In spring and summer, the storks immigrate to Bursa and set up nests in the zoo.
In the centre of the zoo, there is a small reproduction of the Ottoman village Cumalikizik, with cobblestones. This is the home of farm animals, including some very cute rabbits. There is also a cafe where a couple of ladies can freshly prepare for you some delicious gözlemes (savoury stuffed pancakes).
Adjacent to it, is a very good playground with picnic tables.
Now, something we’re not used to in the West but I highly appreciate in Turkey is that you can find mosques everywhere for your convenience. And Bursa Zoo is no different, as you come into the zoo, you take the first left and left again, and you’ll find two small prayer rooms for men and ladies respectively.
Hüdavendigar park
Hüdavendigar Park is the largest park in the city but is also a sports-oriented destination. With plenty of green space, picnic tables, cafes and playgrounds throughout, it’s the perfect place for the kids to burn off some energy.
What we particularly like about this park is the cycling track with a bike rental option for every age, including electric little cars and 4-person bikes! We also like to bring our own basketball and use one of the basketball courts, which are available for everyone.
It is also situated next to a beautiful mosque and offers views over the hills which makes it serene.
This park also has running tracks, a climbing wall, a tennis court and a ladies-only pool.
In summer, this park is the scene for many festivals organised by the city, including Father’s Day festival, astronomy festival, outdoor sports festival and many more.
It is very popular with the locals and is buzzing in summer evenings when the temperatures are cooler. The park is filled with families picnicking and this is a big affaire here.
Indoor play for kids
Zeplinx
Zeplinx in Parkur Mall is the perfect destination for a fun-filled day out, especially when the weather isn’t ideal. This indoor amusement park offers a wide range of activities, including laser tag, wall climbing, trampoline, and much more.
The park is divided into different zones, each with its unique set of activities. It features two play areas suitable for different age groups. The arcade games, 4D virtual reality, trampoline and laser tag are located in one area. For this area, you must get a card and buy credits to add on, which will be debited at each activity the kids take part in.
The bowling and the small ice rink on the top floor are sure to be a kid’s favourite. The food hall and cinema, which often screens movies in English, are located on the same floor.
Zeplinx in Parkur Mall is the perfect place to keep kids entertained and active on a rainy day. With a wide range of activities available under one roof, I’m only mentioning this place for indoor play.
Outdoor play for kids
Extrem park
This is an adventure park set in a hilly forest with stunning views over Bursa and Inkaya village, and it’s one of my children’s favourite spots.
This park offers plenty of activities for both children and adults, including high ropes, tubing, trampolines, alpine sledge, climbing walls, a zip line and a play area for the younger children. You can check their extensive range of activities on their website.
If you love camping, you’ll appreciate the off-grid feel of their campsite, complete with tree-top platforms for sleeping. And the best part is that you can rent camping equipment like tents and sleeping bags. On weekends, they organize sing-alongs around a campfire.
The park is located in Ataturk Kent Ormani and features several cafes and a restaurant serving freshly made pizzas. Picnic tables and barbecues are located throughout the park, making it a perfect spot for a family outing. There are also playgrounds, shops in case you forgot something, and prayer rooms in different parts of the park.
When we visit, we like to set up the barbecue and hang our hammocks for a relaxing day and we do stay for hours. However, if you’re planning to visit on a weekend, be sure to arrive early as barbecues are a popular pastime in Turkey.
This is an ideal destination if you’re looking for outdoor activities including easy hikes with stunning views, and delicious food, for the whole family to enjoy. There is a small entrance fee to the forest. As for Extrem Park, you get the park’s card which you would fill out with the credit you buy and it would be debited at each activity. Alternatively, you can download the app “Alternatif”, where you can often get special offers with extra credit gifted (sometimes doubled) for what you spend and you would use your phone to debit them at each activity.
Sky in Uludağ and teleferik
Bursa Uludağ Ski Resort is one of the most popular ski destinations in Turkey, located only two hours away from Istanbul. The resort is just a short drive from the city of Bursa and offers skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
The resort boasts a wide range of slopes suitable for all levels of skiers, from beginners to experts. There are over 11 ski lifts, so you can easily access the slopes and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
The resort also offers many ski centres for those who are new to skiing or want to improve their skills for adults and children. Many have instructors who speak English. The instructors are very skilled and my kids were going down the slopes with their instructor after just 30 minutes.
You can hire all your equipment including the ski jacket and trousers but not the gloves, you will have to purchase those and they have to be snow gloves to prevent frostbite. You rent the equipment for the day and the lessons last for an hour. You will also need a ski lift pass.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the resort also offers other winter activities like snowmobiling. You can also enjoy the many cafes and restaurants located throughout the resort. Be aware that the prices are much higher than in the city. I would recommend eating at “Burfas”, which is the city council restaurant and offer more affordable prices.
The Bursa Uludağ Ski Resort is open from December to April, and it’s the perfect destination for a winter holiday or day trip. It’s easily accessible from Bursa, either by car, taxi or organised tour.
Also, for a complete experience, I would advise going using cable cars (Teleferik), which offer incredible views over the pine forest and the mountains. It’s important to note that Teleferik doesn’t operate every day due to weather conditions, so it’s best to check before heading out.
Additionally, sometimes the cable car stops at Sarialan and closes for the rest of the day. But there’s no need to worry as there are small buses available at low prices to continue the journey to the ski resort or back to the city.
Places on our Wishlist
Now, there are places we still haven’t been to and we would like to check out.
Sarialan is a very popular camping ground and has an adventure park with high ropes and a zipline.
Sukay Park, not very far from the zoo, is a water ski park with a splashing area for younger children.
Horse riding is very popular in Bursa. Many equestrian centres offer traditional breakfasts and have a playground for kids to play. Having breakfast out at weekends is very popular in Bursa
So, overall, Bursa is a fantastic destination for families. It is a very versatile city and offers plenty of ooptions for taking a break from the historical and cultural tour of the city for the kids. From adventure parks to fascinating museums, there are plenty of activities to keep children of all ages entertained.
The city is also home to some of the most beautiful and historic Ottoman architecture in Turkey, providing a rich cultural experience for children and adults alike. You can check out more about Bursa in my blog post about the best places to see in Bursa. With its warm hospitality and laid-back atmosphere, Bursa is the perfect destination for a family holiday.
