If you’re wondering about visiting Turkey during Ramadan, you’ve come to the right place!
The month-long time of Ramadan is a time of fasting, prayer, community, and celebration. However, it also comes with many questions, especially for tourists — Should I visit Turkey during Ramadan? What are the do’s and don’ts? What’s open during Ramadan in Turkey? — and so on…
Whether you’re planning a trip to Turkey during Ramadan or just want to know what it’s like in Turkey during Ramadan, this blog post will tell you everything you need to know!
We’ve included a brief overview of Ramadan and how locals celebrate, what to expect during Ramadan in Turkey, and more. There’s also a special section on how to experience Ramadan in Turkey as a tourist, including travel tips, cultural customs, and what tourists should know about Ramadan.
Before we get started, we’d also like to point out two important notes:
📍 Turkey is a secular country (it’s in the constitution!), but about 98% of the population is Muslim. Likewise, Turkey is also one of the most liberal Muslim-majority countries in the world, which means that some locals fast, and some don’t — it’s a personal choice. 🙂
📍The word Ramadan is actually Ramazan in Turkish, but for the sake of simplicity, we use the word ‘Ramadan.’ If you want to wish someone a happy Ramadan, you would say Ramazan ayınız mübarek olsun (Have a blessed Ramadan month) or Ramazan Bayramınız kutlu olsun (May your Ramadan be blessed). There’s also the easy-to-remember İyi Bayramlar.
What is Ramadan?
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is known as the ‘holy month’ and is celebrated on the 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Since Islam uses the lunar calendar (i.e. they look at the moon’s phases), this date changes every year. The Quran mentions that Muhammad first received the revelations from the Archangel Gabriel during the month of Ramadan, which is why it is considered the most sacred month.
The month of Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days (depending on the moon), and at the end of this month, there is a 3-day festival called Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of Ramadan.
Why do people fast during Ramadan?
One of the core elements of Islam are the 5 pillars, which are five acts that Muslim people must do. These include being faithful, praying, charitable giving, making a pilgrimage to Mecca, and fasting during Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn (sun up) to sunset. The entire month is meant to be a time of discipline, charity, studying the Quran, and becoming closer to God.
However, it’s important to note that not everyone fasts! Since fasting can be intense (depending on the length of daylight, fasting can be as long as 18+ hours), some groups of people, such as children, pregnant women, the sick, and the elderly don’t fast. Likewise, there are some locals that just choose not to fast.
While the word fasting sounds like abstaining from eating, it actually covers a variety of things. During fasting, practicing Muslims can’t eat food, drink (even water), have intercourse, smoke, or gossip.
What happens during Ramadan in Turkey
As we mentioned, the fasting process is one of the most important elements in Ramadan. There are two parts of fasting:
The first is sahur, which is the meal eaten in the morning, before fasting starts. In some neighborhoods, there are special Ramadan drummers who act as ‘alarm clocks’ to wake up people so that they can eat before fasting. 😉
The second part is iftar, which is the fast-breaking meal in the evening. All around Turkey, you’ll see “iftar tents” and tables where people can go to break their fast. Likewise, many families will either enjoy iftar at home in the company of family, or go to a restaurant (many restaurants offer a special ‘iftar menu’ for the occasion).
Ramadan in Turkey: What to Expect
Before we begin, there’s one thing that we really want to emphasize: your experience will depend on where you travel in Turkey. Ramadan in Izmir will look (and feel) differently than, for example, Ramadan in Konya. Some cities and towns are more conservative than others, so just keep that in mind when planning your trip.
For example, our Black Sea roadtrip coincided with Ramadan — when driving through smaller towns and villages, it was practically impossible to find an open restaurant or even a bakery. However, when we got back to Istanbul, we almost forgot that it was Ramadan because everything was open. 😅
If you’re traveling to Istanbul during Ramadan, you might also notice some differences between neighborhoods. For example, places like Fatih (outside of the tourist center) tend to be more conservative than Kadıköy, Beyoğlu, Nişantaşı, and so on.
Anyway, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about what you can expect when traveling to Turkey during Ramadan. 🙂
Daytime vs nighttime
This was one of the most interesting things that we’ve seen during Ramadan. During normal times, the streets of Istanbul (and other major cities) are typically busy, with crowds of people, car traffic, and so on. Once Ramadan rolls around, it’s completely the opposite!
During the daylight hours of Ramadan, there’s a noticeably quieter atmosphere in cities and towns, especially as locals observe fasting. The streets might be quieter than usual, and the pace of life seems to slow down.
Once nighttime comes around and the call to prayer echoes, the energy shifts dramatically. The streets become noticeably more busy around the time of iftar (breaking of the fast) — public transport is crowded, the roads are congested with traffic, and streets are buzzing as people make their way home to break their fast. Of course, this also means that streets and markets come alive with people enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Eating and drinking during Ramadan in Turkey
Like we mentioned, one of the main observances of Ramadan is fasting. While tourists are not expected to fast, it is considerate to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during fasting hours. Of course, this doesn’t apply to eating or drinking in restaurants, cafes, and other establishments — they’re open for a reason. 😉
What’s open during Ramadan in Turkey? Restaurants & business hours
Since we’re on the topic of restaurants, let’s answer a popular question: Are restaurants closed during Ramadan in Turkey?
In major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and along the coast (i.e. Antalya and the Mediterranean), most restaurants will stay open, even during fasting hours. In smaller towns, villages, and conservative cities (i.e. Konya and the Black Sea coast), it might be harder to find an open restaurant.
If you have a particular place that you really want to visit, we recommend checking their Instagram page. Most restaurants and cafes will mention their hours of operation during Ramadan.
Likewise, most tourist attractions are open during Ramadan, but again, we recommend checking the official website. Some places (like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul) are closed during the first day of Eid.
Elements of Ramadan
During Ramadan, there’s a good chance that you’ll encounter special practices, traditions, and customs. Here are a few examples of some traditional elements of Ramadan in Turkey:
A spiritual atmosphere
First, you might notice that the entire atmosphere has changed!
The spiritual atmosphere in Turkey during Ramadan is definitely noticeable — shops and homes are often adorned with lights and decorations, while the streets have a distinctly festive atmosphere.
Ramadan lights
A distinctive feature in Turkey during Ramadan is the use of “Mahya” lights, which are strings of illuminated messages stretched between the minarets of mosques (see the photo above for an example 🙂). These messages often consist of spiritual sayings or phrases related to Ramadan, creating a magical night time atmosphere.
Ramadan drummers
In the early hours before dawn, traditional drummers, known as “Ramazan Davulcusu” roam the streets of towns and cities. They play drums to wake people up for sahur (the pre-dawn meal) with rhythmic sounds, a practice steeped in Ottoman tradition.
Typically, the Ramadan drummers start drumming around 4 am or 5 am. While there are some 3,000 drummers in Istanbul, they’re not everywhere, as this practice is slowly fading thanks to the invention of alarm clocks.
One thing to note, however: if you’re staying in an Airbnb or apartment, you might have these drummers knocking on your door and asking for tips. If you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to open the door or tip them.
Ramadan cannons
Ramadan cannons are the opposite of Ramadan drummers — they signal the end of fasting and the beginning of iftar! Typically, these cannons were fired at the exact moment the sun went down, and were usually positioned at the highest point in the city (so that everyone could see and hear it).
Similar to the drummers, Ramadan cannons are also being phased out (due to the internet and phone apps that keep track of iftar times), yet can still be found in some smaller towns and villages. We actually got to witness this during our Black Sea roadtrip to Kastamonu. When we were admiring the view from the top of Kastamonu castle, we heard a loud bang and turned our heads just in time to see the cannon fire!
Special Ramadan food
There are special dishes that are typically associated with Ramadan. In Turkey, this includes dried dates (it was alleged that Muhammed broke his fast with dates, which is why they’re so popular), Ramadan pidesi (a type of soft bread), and güllaç (a dessert made with milk, pastry, and sugar). You’ll notice these foods sold much more often during Ramadan — try them for yourself!
Many locals tend to increase their intake of soups, stews, and foods with sauce, as this helps rehydrate them after a long fast.
Likewise, one very popular drink is the Ramadan sherbet, which is a kind of juice made from flowers, fruits, and sugar. Typically served cold, this drink also helps with hydration. If you want to try this traditional recipe, there’s a restaurant in Kadıköy that has a dozen different flavors of sherbet on their menu. 🙂
Experiencing Ramadan in Turkey: Do’s & Don’ts
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of Ramadan and how Radaman is celebrated in Turkey, let’s switch our focus and talk about experiencing Ramadan in Turkey as a tourist. These are some general travel tips, cultural customs, and what tourists should know about Ramadan in Turkey:
📍 One of the most frequently asked questions is, can tourists eat in Turkey during Ramadan?
Yes, you can. 🙂 Tourists are obviously not expected to fast during Ramadan (unless you want to, of course!), and most restaurants, cafes, and eating establishments will be working as usual.
It is perfectly fine to eat inside the restaurant/cafe/bakery. To be considerate and respectful to those fasting, we recommend eating only inside the restaurant and avoiding consuming food and beverages in public. This is one of the biggest Ramadan etiquette for tourists in Turkey and will be appreciated by locals. 🙂
📍While we’re on the topic of eating, here’s a lifehack: You’ll typically find fewer crowds at restaurants an hour or two before sundown, since everyone is rushing to go back home to break their fast. If you’ve ever wanted to try a popular restaurant that always has a crowd, this is your chance.
📍One of the first things you might notice while traveling to Turkey during Ramadan is that locals are generous and hospitable. There were many times when we had small snacks and drinks offered to us during iftar, such as medjool dates (a staple of Ramadan).
📍Don’t plan any transportation around iftar — People typically rush home about one hour before iftar to break fast with their families. Because of this, public transport will be very crowded around this time. We recommend planning your trips outside of iftar.
📍One super useful travel tip for visiting Turkey during Ramadan is to download an app with sahur and iftar times. You can also Google “iftar time today” — this will help you plan your day. 🙂
📍You might notice that there are iftar tents around busy areas and neighborhoods. These tents are free of charge and are set up so that fasting Muslims who can’t get home in time can still break their fast.
📍One of our friends (who traveled to Turkey right in the middle of Ramadan) asked us why some local were sad. It’s not that they’re not sad, it’s just that fasting takes a lot of mental energy. 😅 It’s normal for some people to look a bit weary or fatigued — don’t take it personally, they’re just fasting.
Eid in Turkey
Eid, also known as Eid al-Fitr or Şeker Bayramı in Turkey (‘festival of sweets’) is a significant holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. It’s a time of joy, feasting, and community, with special prayers, gatherings, and charitable acts — and it’s so important that we created a separate section. 🙂
Eid in Turkey is a colorful and festive time, with a variety of events and traditions. Families visit each other to share meals and sweets, and it’s common to see people dressed in their finest clothes. Public spaces are often decorated, and there may be special events and activities across cities, including Istanbul.
The holiday is also called the “festival of sweets” because of a special tradition. When children visit their elders, they kiss the older person’s hand and place it on their forehead to show respect for their elders. In turn, the elders give out candy, sweets, and small amounts of money.
Eid is one of the busiest times to travel in Turkey. If you can, we really recommend avoiding traveling to Turkey during Eid. As you can imagine, transportation will be packed. The airplanes, buses, and trains will all be filled with locals traveling back to their hometown, which makes it a logistical nightmare (similar to Lunar New Year in Asian countries).
This is especially felt in Istanbul, where it gets very very very crowded. It’s the perfect recipe for overcrowding: people come to Istanbul from all over Turkey (and abroad) + the public transportation is free during Eid + the tourist attractions have lines stretching across blocks.
Likewise, everything is closed on the first day of Eid, including the Grand Bazaar, Dolmabahce Palace, and Galata Tower, among others.
My mother was visiting us during Eid one year, and we thought it would be a great idea to take a ferry to the Prince Islands during the first day. (Narrator: it was not a good idea)
The moment we landed on the pier at Büyükada, we were squished with thousands of other people who had the same genius idea as us. It was so hard to even walk because there were swarms of other people pushing in all directions. (see photo above)
In fact, it wasn’t just the islands: other places like Sultanahmet, Taksim Square, and Istiklal Avenue were even worse (if that’s even possible 😅). Over these last few years, we either stay at home during Eid or go abroad to visit our friends and family.
Q & A
When is Ramadan in Turkey?
The dates of Ramadan change every year. In 2024, Ramadan in Turkey will be from March 11 to April 9, and Eid al-Fitr is from April 10 to 12.
Here are the next two years as well:
2025 —The month of Ramadan is from March 1 to March 29. Eid al-Fitr is from March 30 to April 1
2026 —The month of Ramadan is from February 18 to March 19. Eid al-Fitr is from March 20 to March 22
Does Ramadan affect tourists in Turkey?
Ramadan’s impact on tourists in Turkey can vary depending on the location. In major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya, it’s often “business as usual,” with most services and attractions operating normally.
Resort towns and all-inclusive resorts typically don’t observe Ramadan to the same extent (we like to joke that all-inclusive resorts are their own little planet) and have minimal disruption for tourists. However, in smaller towns and villages, you might notice a significant difference in the daily routine, with more evident observances of Ramadan customs.
Is alcohol available during Ramadan in Turkey?
Yes, alcohol continues to be available during Ramadan in Turkey. It is still sold in stores and served in many restaurants and bars, catering to both locals who are not fasting and international tourists.
Are restaurants closed during Ramadan in Turkey?
Most restaurants, especially in tourist areas and big cities, remain open during Ramadan. However, their operational hours might change, with some choosing to open later in the day and stay open later into the night, particularly to cater to the Iftar crowd. In more traditional or rural areas, you might find some local eateries closed during the day but they usually open for Iftar.
Are attractions closed in Turkey during Ramadan?
Tourist attractions in Turkey generally remain open during Ramadan. However, there might be slight changes in opening hours, particularly on significant days such as the beginning and end of Ramadan (especially on the first day of Eid). It’s always a good idea to check the opening times of specific attractions during this period.
What are the drums during Ramadan in Turkey?
You might notice loud banging in the morning during Ramadan — those are the traditional Ramadan drummers reminding people to eat their meal before fasting starts.
Is everything closed in Istanbul during Ramadan?
Not everything is closed in Istanbul during Ramadan. While some local businesses and restaurants may adjust their operating hours (particularly in less touristy areas), most shops, restaurants, and attractions in tourist areas remain open. However, it’s always a good idea to check the specific hours of operation for places you plan to visit.
Is Turkey busy during Ramadan?
The level of busyness in Turkey during Ramadan varies depending on the place. Major cities and tourist spots might not see a significant change, but the overall pace during the day might be slower, especially in more residential or conservative areas. Nighttime, particularly after iftar (breaking of the fast), tends to be lively. The end of Ramadan, marked by Eid al-Fitr, is very busy as locals travel to visit family and friends.
What are some traditional Radaman foods in Turkey?
In Turkey, traditional Ramadan dishes include dried dates (it was alleged that Muhammed broke his fast with dates, which is why they’re so popular), Ramadan pidesi (a type of soft bread), and güllaç (a dessert made with milk, pastry, and sugar).
Does public transport operate as normal in Turkey during Ramadan?
Public transport in Turkey generally operates as normal during Ramadan, with some adjustments. On certain days, especially during Eid, there might be extended service hours to accommodate the increased number of passengers visiting family and attending prayers.
In some cities, like Istanbul, public transport is usually free on the three days of Eid for those with personalized transportation cards.
Photo credits: Sunset – Osman Köycü | Mahya lights – Uğur Başak | mosque ceiling – Bady Abbas | lamps – lemonmelon
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