Marmara Region

Northwestern Türkiye around the Sea of Marmara, centered on Istanbul, and including Bursa, an early Ottoman capital, Edirne and Troy.

This region corresponds to the Marmara Region, one of Türkiye's seven official geographic regions, and includes Istanbul, Edirne, Kırklareli and Tekirdağ (the Thrace part), as well as the provinces of Kocaeli, Yalova, Sakarya, Bilecik, Bursa, Balıkesir and Çanakkale. Izmir and Manisa to the south belong to the Aegean Region, Bolu and Düzce to the east to the Black Sea Region, and Eskişehir to Central Anatolia.

Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia. The historic peninsula packs in Hagia Sophia, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the Blue Mosque), Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar; there are also the Galata Tower, the Süleymaniye Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace and Bosphorus cruises, and ferries run to the Princes' Islands. Bursa, an early capital of the Ottoman Empire, is a World Heritage site for its Green Mosque and tombs, Grand Mosque and the village of Cumalıkızık; south of the city, Mount Uludağ offers winter skiing, and Iznik in the same province is known for its tiles. Edirne has the Selimiye Mosque, a masterpiece by the architect Sinan. Around Çanakkale are the ruins of Troy, the World War I battlefield memorials on the Gallipoli Peninsula, the ancient city of Assos and Bozcaada island; in Balıkesir, Ayvalık and Cunda Island are seaside towns.

Allow at least 3–4 days for Istanbul, plus 1–2 days for Bursa and 2 days for Çanakkale and Troy, then continue south along the coast to the Aegean Region. Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport have many international flights, and between cities you can take high-speed trains, long-distance buses and ferries across the Sea of Marmara. Dress modestly when visiting mosques, which close to visitors during prayer times.

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