Do you ever feel tired of the city's noise and concrete jungle, wishing you could escape to a place where time seems to stand still? A place that would both soothe your soul and take you on a journey through the dusty pages of history... If this is the dream you're chasing, we have the perfect recommendation: Cumalıkızık, a 700-year-old living museum nestled at the foot of Mount Uludağ. If you find yourself in Bursa or are planning a special weekend getaway, our list ofthings to do in Cumalıkızık will take you on an unforgettable journey back in time. This place is so special that it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2014. This means it's not just a treasure for us, but a heritage site to be protected for the entire world!   

Walk the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO World Heritage village

The moment you step into Cumalıkızık, you feel as if you've disconnected from the modern world and entered a time capsule. The first thing that greets you are the famous narrow, cobblestone streets. These stones are so old and textured that as you walk on them, you can almost hear the whispers of centuries-old memories. Some streets are so narrow that two people can barely walk side by side, and you'll have to go single file through the village's famous Cin Aralığı (Genie's Alley).   

You'll notice thin water channels running down the middle of the streets. Don't mistake them for simple rain gutters! This is a clever, centuries-old system designed to carry spring water from Uludağ to every corner of the village, used for both watering gardens and cooling the air in the summer. It's a beautiful testament to how early Ottoman rural architecture was intertwined with nature.   

As you wander the streets, look up and you'll be greeted by colorful houses with bay windows. Built with a unique harmony of rubble stone, wood, and adobe, these houses present a riot of colors with their yellow, blue, purple, and white facades. The latticed windows on the upper floors and the bay windows extending over the street are not just aesthetic details; they reflect the Ottoman family's emphasis on privacy. This design prevented the inside of the home from being seen from the outside while allowing those inside to comfortably watch the street. This village is actually part of the foundation of the Ottoman Empire. As a "waqf village" (an endowed foundation), it was established to provide income for the Orhan Gazi Complex in Bursa, the first capital. So, as you walk these streets, you are feeling the spirit of a place that witnessed the birth of an empire and formed its economic and social foundation.   

Try the famous village breakfast spread, full of local products

You can't come to Cumalıkızık and not try the famous village breakfast spread; in fact, many people flock here just for this experience! In authentic settings converted from historic mansions, the rich tables set on wooden furniture will satisfy not only your stomach but also your eyes and soul. What makes this breakfast special is that everything on the table is organic, fresh, and prepared by the local villagers.   

So, what awaits you at this legendary feast? Let's start counting: a variety of homemade jams (you can find raspberry, blackberry, quince, and even pumpkin jam!), fresh village cheeses, string cheese, delicious butter, honey and clotted cream, green and black olives, village-style tomato paste, fresh tomatoes, and cucumbers.... But wait, there's more! It's served with warm, wood-fired village bread, eggs cooked in a skillet, fried pastries, and of course, the paper-thin gözleme cooked by the local women on a griddle right before your eyes. This entire feast is accompanied by strong, hot tea served in teapots.   

A little tip for you: if you want to enjoy this experience in a calm and peaceful environment, try to be in the village before 10 AM, especially on weekends. After that, you might have to play a game of musical chairs to find a seat. To start your day wonderfully in Bursa, you can also check our list at   

https://www.yerelrehber.com/en/city/bursa, but the atmosphere and taste of Cumalıkızık are always unique.

Take photos in front of the historic houses and shop at the village market

Cumalıkızık is a true paradise for photography enthusiasts, with every corner looking like a movie set. After you've had your fill, it's time to grab your camera and enjoy this visual feast. The giant plane trees at the village entrance, the fronts of the colorfully painted bay-windowed houses, the famous wrought-iron door knockers, and of course, the narrow stone streets are all waiting for you to capture amazing shots. Don't forget to take a souvenir photo in front of iconic buildings like the mansion made famous by the TV series   

Kınalı Kar and the Küpeli Ev (House with Earrings), which gets its name from the fuchsia flowers surrounding it.   

After your walk, be sure to stop by the stalls set up in the village square. This is a lively marketplace where the hardworking women of the village sell products they've made with their own hands. Depending on the season, you can buy freshly picked raspberries, blackberries, chestnuts, or walnuts. If you happen to visit during the   

Raspberry Festival held every June, you'll find the freshest of this delicious fruit. Homemade tarhana (a dried food ingredient), noodles, various jams, and pickles are also great options to take a taste of Cumalıkızık home with you.   

If you want to get to know the village's culture more closely, you can visit the Cumalıkızık Ethnography Museum. What makes this museum special is that all the items inside were donated by the villagers themselves. As you walk among the agricultural tools, household items, and clothing that carry the traces of a 700-year-old village life, you'll feel like you've been transported to the past. The fact that Cumalıkızık is registered by UNESCO is proof of what a valuable heritage it is. To discover other pride-worthy sites in our country, be sure to check out our article at https://www.yerelrehber.com/en/explore/things-to-do/cappadocia-living-heritage-museum.

While You're in the Area...

A trip to Cumalıkızık usually takes about half a day. If you have time, you can extend this nostalgic getaway and discover other beauties of Bursa. Gölyazı, an old Greek village built on a peninsula on the shore of Lake Uluabat, can charm you with its calm atmosphere and the legend of the "Weeping Plane Tree". Also close to Bursa, Misi Village (now known as Gümüştepe), famous for its cafes by the creek, is another great alternative for a peaceful break.   

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to get to Cumalıkızık? Getting there from Bursa city center is quite easy. With a private car, you can drive about 10-12 km on the Ankara road and follow the signs. If you're using public transport, you can take the BursaRay metro line 2 to the Cumalıkızık/Değirmenönü stop, and from there, take the D10 bus or a minibus for a 5-minute ride to the village.   

2. How much time should I set aside for Cumalıkızık? About 1-2 hours will be enough to walk the streets and take photos. However, if you want to enjoy the famous village breakfast, visit the museum, and shop at the market, we recommend setting aside at least 3-4 hours.   

3. When is the best time to go to Cumalıkızık? The village is beautiful in every season. The spring and autumn months are the most pleasant times due to the ideal weather. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends, allowing you to enjoy the village more comfortably. If you enjoy crowds and festivities, don't miss the Raspberry Festival in June.

Bibliography: For more detailed and official information about the UNESCO World Heritage status mentioned in the article, you can visit UNESCO's page titled "Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire": https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1452/