travel home  :  travel question   :  kusadasi climate  :  places to stay   :  flights   :  trips and tours   :  late deals   :  airport transfers

You are here: Travel
kusadasi travel
Public holidays in Turkey

Official holidays

Jan 1: New Year's Day

National holidays

Apr 23: National Sovereignty and Children's Day (anniversary of the establishment of Turkish Grand National Assembly)

May 1: Labour and Solidarity Day (recently added in 2009)

May 19: Atatürk Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day ( the arrival of Atatürk in Samsun, and the beginning of the War of Independence)

Aug 30: Victory Day (victory over invading forces in 1922).

Oct 29: Republic Day (anniversary of the declaration of the Turkish Republic)

Religious holidays

Seker Bayrami:Three-day festival when sweets are eaten to celebrate the end of the fast of Ramadan. Also known as Ramazan Bayrami.

Kurban Bayrami: Four-day festival when sacrificial sheep are slaughtered and their meat distributed to the poor.

The dates of these religious festivals change according to the Islamic calendar an thus occur 10-11 days (exact difference between Gregorian and Lunar calendars is 10 days and 21 hrs) earlier each year. According to this;

Seker Bayrami was celebrated on 30 September-1-2 October 2008, and it will be celebrated on 20-21-22 September 2009, on 9-10-11 September 2010, and on 30-31 August-1 September 2011.

Kurban Bayrami was celebrated on 31 December 2006-1-2-3 January 2007 and on 20-21-22-23 December 2007, and on 8-9-10-11 December 2008, and will be celebrated on 27-28-29-30 November 2009, on 16-17-18-19 November 2010, on 6-7-8-9 November 2011, and on 26-27-28-29 October 2012.


Note

Muslim festivals are timed according to the phases of the moon and change each year. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Ramazan Bayrami, Muslims fast during the day and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Generally, centres of tourism are unaffected. Some disruption may continue into Ramazan Bayrami itself. Ramazan Bayrami and Kurban Bayrami may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. Transport and hotels are very busy during these holidays, so book in advance.

Travel Tips:
  • When visiting a mosque, be sure to respect the traditions, dress modestly and take off your shoes before entering.
  • The famous alcoholicdrink of Turkey, raki, can be found almost everywhere. Remember that raki has 45% alcohol and don't drink raki as you drink beer.
  • Antique pieces are not allowed out of Turkey, this is a crime.
  • Smoking is not permitted in flights and all public places.
  • Hospitality is a tradition of Turks, don't be surprised...
  • If you are visiting Turkey in summer be sure to bring sunglasses, hats, sun creams, etc.
  • Although tap water is safe to drink, prefer bottled water.
  • All the sanitation issues are strictly controlled at tourist places but be sure not to buy any food from street peddlers.
  • Be aware of the traffic in Turkey especially in big cities. Do not cross the street before being sure of a safe pass. Turkish people are Mediterranean and traffic rules are not strictly obeyed here.
  • Bargaining is part of the Turkish culture, a reduction of 10-20% is always possible especially in local shops...