2025 Ramadan In Turkey Guide – Türkiye During Ramadan

Planning a trip to Turkey during Ramadan offers a unique experience as you navigate the traditions of Ramadan, a time when Muslim people engage in a month-long fast from dawn to dusk.

If you’re wondering how this might affect your holiday in Türkiye, rest assured this guide has everything you need to know. It will provide all the essential information you need about the month of Ramadan in Turkey, including what remains open and the adjustments to daily life. 

This period offers a special time to witness Turkish culture and Islamic traditions up close, ensuring a memorable journey.

Türkiye is a Muslim country, meaning that during the holy month of Ramadan (also called Ramazan), you might notice a few differences if you happen to be traveling around Türkiye.

Türkiye is one of the most liberal Islamic countries in the world, and the good news is that no matter whether it’s Ramadan or not, all visitors to Türkiye are welcomed with open arms.

All you need to do is remember to respect the culture and be as knowledgeable as possible about what is happening at that time.

What Happens During Ramadan In Türkiye

First things first, let’s cover the fundamental question:

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims worldwide, not just in Türkiye. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, but the exact dates of Ramadan vary yearly by around ten days.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast (no food or drink, not even water) from dawn until sundown and use this time for introspection and prayer. The call to prayer from the mosque indicates when it is time to fast and when it is time to break a fast.

Ramadan commemorates the month when The Prophet Muhammad first received revelations of the Quran (Islam’s holy book) from God. During this month, Muslims fast, avoid impure thoughts, pray, and focus on doing good deeds and spending time with family members and the local community.

Once fasting is broken (at sunset), Muslims come together with friends and family and share special meals together. Once Ramadan is over, Eid al-Fitr (şeker bayramı) takes place – a three-day public holiday when extended families come together to celebrate. This is one of the largest holidays in the Islamic world.

If you want to experience a time of celebration, make your travel plans set around this three-day holiday or the holiest month of Islam.

Does Ramadan Affect Non Muslim Tourists In Turkey

In most touristic resorts around Türkiye, you won’t notice a difference during Ramadan; however, if you travel to Istanbul, Ankara, or another city/town that is more traditional, you may see a few differences.

Traveling in Türkiye is no issue during the religious month of Ramazan.

When Is Ramadan 2025

Are Things Closed In Turkey During Ramadan

Nope. Well, not at least in tourist areas. Restaurants and bars will remain open, and you will still be served precisely the same way. However, do remember that some of the waiting staff may be fasting, so try to be respectful and understanding of this.

That said, in some smaller towns and more conservative areas of the country, you may notice some changes in operating hours and daily routines during Ramadan.

For example, in smaller towns, some shops and restaurants may close during fasting hours (from dawn until sunset), and the pace of life may slow down a bit. Konya, for example, restaurants will be closed during daylight hours.

What Is That Loud Banging During Ramadan

In some places around Türkiye, you may hear the banging of the traditional drummers just before dawn. The Ramadan drummers are designed to wake people up from their sleep so they don’t miss their chance to fuel up for their day. This traditional practice tells people that it’s time to eat and drink something before fasting is about to start.

It can come as a shock the first time you hear it, especially if it wakes you up abruptly from your sleep, but now you know what to expect!

When the mosques send the prayer call at sunset, people start the breaking of the fast. Before this, they will pray, thank God for the meal they’re about to eat, and then tuck in. This often occurs in large groups, as families and groups break their fasts together. Most people break their fast in their homes, but you’ll also see people do this in restaurants.

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What You Need To Do For Ramadan In Turkey

For the most part, you don’t need to do anything specific other than being respectful of the culture and the fact that people are fasting. It goes without saying that you should dress modestly and cover your head if you’re a female visiting a religious site – this is the same both in and out of Ramadan.

Fasting

Fasting during the daytime is challenging, and when Ramadan falls during the hottest months of the year, remember to be a little understanding if a waiter or shop owner doesn’t seem as chatty as usual. They’re doing something complicated by spending so many days of fasting, but it is something that is extremely important to them and their religion. A little understanding goes a long way here.

The same goes for if you’re dining in a restaurant in a holiday resort. Your waiter will be serving you as usual but may be fasting. Simply be understanding and a little compassionate as they are opening business as usual while fasting. 

Can You Drink Alcoholic Beverages In Turkey During Ramadan

Yes. Though during Ramadan in Türkiye, you will notice that even Muslim drinkers stop drinking beer, wine, raki, or any alcoholic spirit during the holy month. But this only applies to Muslims; for you as a tourist to Turkey, no one would expect you to change your drinking habits. You will certainly still be able to buy and consume alcohol all across the country.

Will It Be Busy Visiting Turkey During Ramadan

No more than usual. You will notice that the opposite is true for restaurants during the day – they will have fewer people. That is, until it is time to eat at sunset. This is known as the iftar meal, and it is when cafes and restaurants become more lively and have special iftar menus.

Can People Wear Bikinis On The Beach During Ramazan

Yes. There will be no issue if you are out in public wearing your swimwear. All beaches and hotel pools will be operated as per usual. 

What Is Traditional Ramadan Food In Turkey

Some of the traditional foods you can try in Turkey during Ramadan will be:

Iftar Soup (Çorba)

A warm and hearty soup, often made with lentils, chickpeas, or wheat, is a common way to start the Iftar meal.

Dates and Water

Muslims often break their fast with dates and water, following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad.

Pide

Ramadan pide, a type of Turkish flatbread, is a staple during this month. It’s typically topped with sesame seeds and served with cheese, olives, or honey.

Börek

Börek is a popular savory pastry filled with ingredients like cheese, spinach, minced meat, or potatoes. It’s often served during Ramadan.

Kebabs

Grilled meat kebabs, such as lamb or chicken, are commonly enjoyed for Iftar or Suhoor.

İçli Köfte

These are bulgur and minced meat dumplings, usually served with lemon and lettuce. They are a favorite snack or appetizer during Ramadan.

Lentil Dishes

Lentils are a common ingredient in Turkish cuisine, and you’ll find various lentil-based dishes during Ramadan, like Mercimek Koftesi (lentil patties) and Lentil Soup.

Dolma and Sarma

Stuffed grape leaves (dolma) and vegetables like peppers and eggplants (sarma) filled with a mixture of rice, spices, and sometimes ground meat are popular choices.

Traditional Desserts And Sweets

Turkish sweets, like Baklava and Güllaç (a dessert made with thin pastry sheets, milk, rosewater, and pomegranate seeds), are enjoyed to satisfy sweet cravings after Iftar.

Fresh Fruits

Fresh fruits like watermelon, apricots, and pomegranates are often part of the Ramadan meal, offering a refreshing way to break the fast.

Yogurt and Dairy

Yogurt and other dairy products are frequently included in Suhoor and Iftar meals for their nutritional value.

Tea and Turkish Coffee

Traditional Turkish coffee and tea are popular beverages, often consumed during Suhoor and after Iftar.

Travel During Ramadan In Istanbul

If you are in Istanbul this year for Ramadan, then you will like this guide to Ramadan and how it applies, especially in Istanbul, from a tourist perspective from my Ramadan experience.

Turkish Culture & Living In Turkey

If you are curious to learn more about Turkish culture, I wrote a whole guide on that here. As I live in Türkiye, I also wrote some info about that here; I hope you like it.

Final Word On Türkiye During Ramadan

Overall, you won’t notice a massive difference if you’re traveling in Türkiye during Ramadan unless you visit a traditional part of the country. Ramadan is a very special month for Muslims, and every visitor to the country should respect it.

While you don’t need to do anything remarkably different during Ramadan celebrations, a little understanding and empathy will go a long way in this type of situation. You should also do your best to learn a little about what is going on to help enrich your visit and understand the locals and their traditional customs.

Remember that the exact dates of the Ramadan feast in 2025 are as follows:

The first day of the Ramadan feast begins on the evening of February 28th, and the end of Ramadan will be on March 30 or 31, 2025.

Ramadan In Turkey FAQs