Description
A full-day journey combining two foundational chapters of world history: early Christianity and the origins of the Ottoman Empire.
We leave Istanbul early in the morning and cross the Sea of Marmara to İznik — ancient Nicaea — where Constantine the Great convened the First Ecumenical Council in 325 AD, a defining moment for Christian doctrine. We walk along the Roman-Byzantine walls, among the best preserved in the world, and visit the Hagia Sophia of İznik (4th century), also the setting of the Second Council in 787.
After free time for lunch at the lakeshore, we continue to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, at the foot of Mount Uludağ. We visit the Green Mosque and Green Tomb — masterpieces of early Ottoman architecture — and the imposing Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) with its 20 domes. We head up to the Tophane viewpoint beside the tombs of founding sultans Osman and Orhan Gazi. We close the day under the historic İnkaya plane tree, a monumental tree over 600 years old.
Small group, private air-conditioned transport, professional guide in Spanish and English.
Tour Highlights
- Lake İznik and the Roman-Byzantine walls of ancient Nicaea
- Hagia Sophia of İznik — seat of the Second Ecumenical Council
- Site of the First Ecumenical Council (325 AD)
- Green Mosque & Green Tomb — turquoise İznik tiles
- Ulu Cami — 20-domed imperial mosque in the first Ottoman capital
- Tombs of Osman and Orhan
- founders of the Empire
- Tophane viewpoint over Bursa
- Millennial İnkaya plane tree (600+ years)
- Small group
- private A/C transport
Tour Information
- Cultural
- History
- Religious
- Full day, approximately 12 hours (including transfers)
- Starting Time: 7:00AM
- Languages: Spanish, English
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Meeting Point: Hotel pickup (Istanbul) Open in Maps
- Ending Point: Hotel drop-off (Istanbul) Open in Maps
- Instant Confirmation
Itinerary
Hotel pickup
Early morning pickup from your hotel in Istanbul. We head south across the Sea of Marmara toward İznik.
Drive to İznik
Comfortable trip in air-conditioned private transport. We cross the Marmara Bridge, one of Türkiye's modern engineering wonders.
Lake İznik
Arrival at Lake İznik, Türkiye's fifth-largest lake. Quick stop for photos at the lakeshore where the ancient walls are reflected.
Walls of Ancient Nicaea
The Roman-Byzantine walls of Nicaea — over 4 km long with seven monumental gates — are among the best-preserved examples in the ancient world.
Hagia Sophia of İznik (Mosque / Museum)
4th-century Byzantine church, site of the Second Council of Nicaea (787 AD). Converted into a mosque by the Ottomans, it is open to visitors today.
Site of the First Ecumenical Council
Visit to the submerged ruins of the basilica where Emperor Constantine the Great is believed to have convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD — a foundational event in Christian history.
Transfer to Bursa
On to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, at the foot of Mount Uludağ.
Green Mosque & Green Tomb
The Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami, 1419) and Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe) — masterpieces of early Ottoman architecture, famous for their green and turquoise İznik tilework.
Bursa Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami)
Imperial mosque with 20 domes, built in the 14th century. Its interior houses superb Ottoman calligraphy and a fountain under the central dome.
Tophane viewpoint
Up to the historic Tophane viewpoint, next to the tombs of founding sultans Osman and Orhan Gazi. Sweeping panorama over Bursa.
İnkaya Historical Plane Tree
Visit to the monumental İnkaya plane tree — over 600 years old, with a trunk almost 10 m in diameter. Turkish tea in the shade of its branches.
Return to Istanbul
Return to your Istanbul hotel in the evening. Arrival time depending on traffic.
Route map
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Istanbul
- Air-conditioned private transport
- Professional guide in Spanish / English
- Tolls, Marmara Bridge crossing and fuel
What's Not Included
- Lunch and drinks
- Museum entry fees (if applicable)
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Important Information
Long day with several hours of road travel. Comfortable shoes recommended. For mosque visits, modest dress is required (shoulders and knees covered); women must cover their head with a scarf (also available at the entrance).
Cancellation policy
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to review this tour!
Questions from travelers
No questions yet — be the first to ask.
Ask a question
Travelers also bought
Related Tours
Istanbul Walking Tour: From Taksim to Sultanahmet
Full-day walking tour through Istanbul's most iconic neighbourhoods — from modern…
4-Day Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia Tour
Discover three of Turkey's most iconic destinations in 4 days. Explore the ancient…
11-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia
The most comprehensive Turkey tour covering Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon,…