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7 places to visit in the Karacabey district of Bursa: Lake Uluabat, Karacabey İmaret Mosque and Ulu Mosque. Plan your trip to Karacabey with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Karacabey, formerly known as Mihaliç, is a district 70 km west of Bursa. It lies to the north of Lake Uluabat; to the east of Karacabey are Nilüfer and Mudanya, to the south Mustafakemalpaşa and Lake Uluabat, to the west Bandırma in Balıkesir province, and to the south-west Susurluk in Balıkesir province.

Economy

The district’s land lies on the highly fertile Karacabey Plain. The most widely grown crops are wheat, tomatoes, barley, maize, beans, peas, sugar beet, cotton, sunflower and tobacco. Vegetable and fruit growing have also developed, and livestock farming is advanced, providing significant income to local people.

History

In antiquity there was no city at Karacabey. However, there was a city called Artaioteikhos to the north, and most likely to the west, near the Rhyndakos River. It is known that Karacabey came under the rule of the Bithynians, the Lydians and the Persian Kingdom in turn. The town’s main historical monuments are the Ulu Mosque, commissioned by Sultan Murat I, and the Karacabey Mosque, commissioned by Karaca Bey in 1457.

Places to Visit

Karacabey also hosts 5 festivals: the Stork Festival, the Kite Festival, the Maize Festival, the Linden Festival and the Cycling Festival.

History and Culture

Five separate festivals are held in Karacabey: the Stork Festival, the Kite Festival, the Maize Festival, the Linden Festival and the Cycling Festival. Lake Uluabat has 11 islands, the largest of which is the 190-hectare Halilbey Island and the smallest the 0.25-hectare Heybeli Island. The Karacabey Longoz Forests are home to 270 bird species and have ecological features not found anywhere else in Europe.

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Places to Visit in Karacabey

  • 1 Historic
  • 2 Religious
  • 3 Nature
  • 1 Attraction
Nature

Lake Uluabat

A lake in the south of the district. It is an important body of water that defines the geographical boundaries of Karacabey district.

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Karacabey İmaret Mosque - Karacabey Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source
Religious

Karacabey İmaret Mosque

The Karacabey Mosque, commissioned by Karaca Bey in 1457, is also known as the İmaret Mosque.

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Religious

Ulu Mosque

A mosque commissioned by Sultan Murat I.

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Nature

Karacabey Longoz Forests

A 730-hectare wetland forest ecosystem at the point where the Susurluk River, formed by the confluence of the rivers of the southern Marmara, meets the Sea of Marmara. It contains swamp forests of ash, alder and willow, as well as reed beds and dune strips.

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Nature

Lake Uluabat (Apolyont Lake)

A large freshwater lake 30 km west of Bursa province. It is one of Türkiye's richest lakes in terms of plankton, benthic organisms, aquatic plants, fish and bird populations, and was designated a Ramsar Site in 1998.

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Historic

Issız Han

An Ottoman-era inn on the Karacabey-Bursa road, on the shore of Lake Uluabat. It is an important caravanserai built to house travellers and enable trade.

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Attraction

Atatürk Culture Park

The largest park in Karacabey district. It contains a variety of sports and recreation areas, lake bicycles, restaurants, a swimming pool and flower-decorated features.

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Places to Visit Around Bursa Province

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While you are in Karacabey, you can also see the highlights of Bursa province. These places are in other districts; Karacabey is about 65 km from the provincial centre.

  • Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) — A 20-domed mosque built between 1396 and 1400 by Bayezid I after his victory at Nicopolis; it is the most monumental example of the multi-pillared mosque plan and has the widest inner congregation hall of any mosque in Türkiye.
  • Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami) — A mosque with zaviye rooms (a mosque-cum-lodge) commissioned by Sultan Mehmed I Çelebi, designed by Hacı İvaz Paşa and completed in December 1419; it holds the finest examples of 15th-century Ottoman tilework.
  • Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe) — A tomb that Sultan Mehmed I Çelebi had built during his lifetime in 1421, its exterior covered in turquoise tiles; the tiled mihrab inside is among the masterpieces of İznik tilemaking.
  • Muradiye Complex — A complex of mosque, madrasa, hammam and imaret (soup kitchen) built by Murad II in 1425–1426; with the 12 tombs added later, it is the burial place of more members of the dynasty than anywhere except Istanbul.
  • Koza Han — A caravanserai in the Khans District, between the Grand Mosque and the Orhan Mosque, commissioned by Bayezid II at the end of the 15th century from the architect Abdül Ula bin Pulat Şah; it takes its name from the silk cocoon trade and still carries on that function today.
  • Cumalıkızık — A village 11 km from Bursa on the northern foothills of Uludağ, founded in the 1300s as a waqf (endowment) village and preserving early Ottoman rural architecture; it became a UNESCO World Heritage site together with Bursa in 2014. It is famous for its stone and timber houses, narrow streets and village breakfast.

Practical Information for Visiting Karacabey

Suggested time
1-2 days
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Karacabey

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  • Göl Balığı

    Crayfish, carp and pike from Lake Uluabat are among the best-known delicacies of the region. They are served fresh in the restaurants of Gölyazı village.

  • Karacabey Pidesi

    Thin dough topped with minced meat, kaşar cheese or egg and baked in a stone oven. It is an important part of Karacabey's bread-making culture.

  • Süt Helvası

    Prepared by stirring and cooking milk, flour and sugar for a long time. It is one of Karacabey's traditional desserts and is made on special occasions.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Karacabey

  • Horse Breeding Tradition

    Thanks to the Karacabey Stud Farm, the district has become a centre of horse breeding in Türkiye. Equestrian sports and horse races are part of the region's cultural life.

  • Gölyazı Fishing Culture

    Fishing traditions that have lasted for centuries in Gölyazı village shape the village's social and economic life. Fishing with traditional boats continues to this day.

Local Products

  • Karacabey Onion — Karacabey Onion was registered as a protected designation of origin on 30 November 2017 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 247). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Karacabey Commodity Exchange.
  • Karacabey Rice — The Karacabey plain is one of Türkiye's important rice-producing areas. The Baldo and Osmancık varieties are widely grown in the region.
  • Nilüfer Honey — Honey made from the water lily flowers around Lake Uluabat, known for its light colour and mild aroma. Its production is limited, so it is regarded as a speciality product.

Economy

Karacabey's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Rice, sunflower, maize and wheat are grown on the fertile plain. The Karacabey Stud Farm is of national importance in horse breeding. Fishing and eco-tourism are developing around Lake Uluabat. Dairy cattle farming and dairy processing are also widespread in the district.

How to Get to Karacabey

Karacabey is 65 km from Bursa city centre. It lies on the Bursa-Bandırma highway. Regular bus and minibus services run from the Bursa intercity bus terminal. Bandırma Port is 55 km away.

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Karacabey: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Karacabey?

The 7 highlights of Karacabey: Lake Uluabat, Karacabey İmaret Mosque, Ulu Mosque, Karacabey Longoz Forests, Lake Uluabat (Apolyont Lake), Issız Han and Atatürk Culture Park.

What should I eat in Karacabey?

Göl Balığı, Karacabey Pidesi and Süt Helvası are the standout dishes on Karacabey's tables.

What is Karacabey famous for?

Karacabey is known for Karacabey Onion and its Horse Breeding Tradition. It is a product registered as a protected designation of origin with TÜRKPATENT.

How do I get to Karacabey?

Karacabey is 65 km from Bursa city centre. It lies on the Bursa-Bandırma highway. Regular bus and minibus services run from the Bursa intercity bus terminal. Bandırma Port is 55 km away.

How much time should I spend in Karacabey?

Suggested visit length: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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