Turkey
Istanbul & Marmara
Region
The region around the Sea of Marmara connects Europe and Asia: to the north Thrace with Istanbul and Edirne, to the south Bursa and the Dardanelles near Çanakkale.
by Felix Gillen
The region around the Sea of Marmara connects Europe and Asia: to the north Thrace with Istanbul and Edirne, to the south Bursa and the Dardanelles near Çanakkale. Here you'll find Byzantium and the three early Ottoman capitals, plus Gallipoli and the excavations of Troy. Istanbul is the hub; you can reach the other destinations from there by bus, ferry, or car.
OverviewIstanbul is located on the Bosphorus between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, while Edirne lies in the far northwest of Thrace. Bursa, at the foot of Uludağ, was the first capital of the Ottomans, Edirne the second, and Istanbul the third from 1453. In the southwest, fortresses guard the Dardanelles, beyond which lie Gallipoli and Troy.Best Time to Visit and Getting ThereApril and May, as well as September and October, are the most pleasant months, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds than in the hot July and August. Winter is cool and humid, with most rain falling in December. Most travelers land at one of Istanbul's two airports and continue their journey from there by bus, ferry, or car.What to ExpectWorld Heritage: Istanbul's historic areas, the Selimiye in Edirne, Bursa with Cumalıkızık, and Troy are on the UNESCO list.20th Century History: The battlefields of Gallipoli are now protected as a Historical Site.Cuisine: İskender Kebap from Bursa, Tava Ciğer from Edirne, fish from the Dardanelles, and Meze in Istanbul.
More places in Istanbul & Marmara
Spanning Europe and Asia, Istanbul sits on the Bosphorus, linking Black and Marmara Seas. Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, and lively nightlife make Turkey's largest city the start of many Turkey trips. Most sights lie on historic Sultanahmet peninsula, south of the Golden Horn. North of it, Karaköy and Beyoğlu offer Galata Tower and bars. The Asian side's Kadıköy is a hub for market, food, nightlife.
Food & Drink
Every town in the region has its own signature dish. Plus, fish and cheese from the coasts of Thrace and the Dardanelles.
İskender Kebap
Thinly sliced meat from a vertical skewer with yogurt and pide, traditionally invented in Bursa in 1867.
Tava Ciğer
Thinly sliced, fried liver, the most famous dish from Edirne.
Balık Ekmek
Fish sandwiches on the shores of Eminönü and Karaköy in Istanbul.
Ezine Cheese
White cheese from the Çanakkale region with EU Protected Designation of Origin.
Culture & History
Byzantium and the OttomansConstantinople was the capital of the Roman Empire from 330. In 1326, the Ottomans conquered Bursa and made it their first capital, followed by Edirne in the 1360s. After 1453, Istanbul became the capital and remained so until the end of the empire.Architect SinanMimar Sinan shaped the region in the 16th century. In Istanbul, he built the Süleymaniye Mosque, and in Edirne, the Selimiye, which he himself called his masterpiece.The DardanellesAlong the strait lie Troy, whose settlement layers date back to approximately 3500 BC, and the battlefields of Gallipoli from 1915 and 1916.
Arrival & On the Way
ArrivalIstanbul Airport on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side are the gateways to the region. Çanakkale has a small airport with connections from Ankara.Between the CitiesTo Bursa: Fast ferries from Istanbul to Mudanya or Güzelyalı, then about 30 minutes to the city. By car via the Osmangazi Bridge, about two to two and a half hours.To Edirne: Long-distance buses from Istanbul's Otogar in about three and a half hours; by car, about 235 kilometers.To Çanakkale: Long-distance buses from Istanbul, Bursa, and İzmir, via the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge since 2022.TipA circular tour Istanbul, Edirne, Çanakkale including Troy and Gallipoli, Bursa, and back to Istanbul by ferry connects the region without redundant routes.
