Bilecik occupies a special place in Turkish history: the small town of Söğüt within it was the tribal home of Ertuğrul Gazi and the founding base of the Ottoman dynasty in the 13th century. The Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb draws pilgrims and history enthusiasts alike.
İnegöl, though administratively in Bursa, borders Bilecik and lends its name to one of Turkey's most famous köfte styles. The province's forested uplands make for pleasant drives between Istanbul and Central Anatolia.
Known for: Söğüt — Ottoman birthplace · Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb · İnegöl (köfte) · Forests · Ottoman heritage
- Region
- Marmara
- Famous for
- Ottoman founding dynasty
- Best seasons
- Apr–Oct
- Dish
- İnegöl köfte
Bilecik on the live map
Explore Bilecik and all of Turkey on the live intelligence map — tap a city node to fly in.
What Bilecik is known for
Söğüt is the primary destination — a quiet Anatolian town with the mausoleum of Ertuğrul Gazi (father of Osman, founder of the Ottoman Empire) and a modest but atmospheric museum of early Ottoman life. Each September the town holds the Ertuğrul Gazi Commemoration festival, drawing thousands.
- Söğüt — Ottoman founding site, Ertuğrul Gazi Mausoleum.
- Annual Ertuğrul Gazi Commemoration (September).
- Forest highlands between Bursa and Eskişehir.
- İnegöl-style köfte (neighbouring tradition).
Getting around
Bilecik is 2–3 hours from Istanbul by bus, between Bursa and Eskişehir. Söğüt is 45 minutes by car from Bilecik city.
On the platform
Bilecik is joining Türkiye Gez as we expand into a Turkey-wide city intelligence platform. This guide is the launch foundation — live transport data, an interactive map and deeper neighborhood content roll out city by city, on the same architecture that powers Istanbul today.
Frequently asked questions
About Bilecik
1Söğüt — the birthplace town of the Ottoman dynasty, the Ertuğrul Gazi Mausoleum, and its forested hills between Bursa and Eskişehir.