Your Guide to Visiting Turkey in Ramadan 2024

Turkey is an extremely popular tourist destination throughout the year. However, many tourists have questions about visiting Turkey in Ramadan, wondering if they will be able to enjoy the country to the fullest. If you were also wondering “should I visit Turkey during Ramadan?”, you’ll be glad to know that Turkey is as hustling and bustling as it always is even during Ramadan and you can still have a great time during Ramadan in Turkey.

Planning to visit Turkey in Ramadan? Here’s our list of things you can do in Turkey during the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Take an Istanbul Old City Tour

You don’t need a special reason to go to Istanbul. You can visit Istanbul throughout the year, however Ramadan is an even better option to visit this place owing to the lively night bazaars in the city. Istanbul old city tour is a must visit trip, especially for someone who would love to explore the history of Turkey. You are picked up from your hotel and given a tour around a number of historic places in the city including the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, German Fountain and even the magnificent Grand Bazaar.

Feel free to ask your tour guide as many questions as you’d like throughout the tour to ensure that you get the complete experience and take back tons of memories and information you can share with friends and family.

 Visit Istiklal Avenue

Istiklal Avenue is one of the busiest avenues around Turkey. If you absolutely love liveliness, you would not want to miss on the opportunity to visit Istiklal Street during Ramadan.

During your visit to Istiklal street, you can go shopping, visit the Galata tower, or munch on mouthwatering snacks loaded on stalls all around the street. The best time for visiting Istiklal Street during Ramadan is after the sunset meal called Iftar, when the energy of the place is at its peak.

If you are someone who prefers to visit crowded places and would love to experience the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, you don’t need to worry about cancelling your trip to Turkey in Ramadan as Istiklal avenue is always lively.

Visit the Beaches in Antalya

Antalya is one of the most popular cities throughout Turkey. Famous for its magnificent landscapes, Antalya is packed with fun-filled activities.

Activities in Antalya are accessible to tourists for most of the year, even in the holy month of Ramadan. All the tourist-oriented businesses usually function on regular hours as they would like the rest of the year. Various bars, cafes and other forms of entertainment continue to serve tourists throughout the month of Ramadan.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even visit the natural pools of Pamukkale or even take a trip to the duden waterfalls in Antalya. If you plan on visiting Turkey this Ramadan, do not let go off the opportunity to visit Antalya as the weather will be perfect for your much-needed beach holiday.

Ride a Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a semi-arid region in central Turkey and is well known for its distinctive rock structures that attract large number of tourists annually.

Much like the other cities in Turkey, restaurants in Cappadocia continue to serve the tourists throughout the day even in Ramadan. You can easily indulge in specialties such as manti and testi kebap.

Almost all activities including hot air balloon rides, horse riding tours, and ATV tours are also available in Cappadocia during the month of Ramadan. Rest assured, Cappadocia and the rest of the country is completely open to tourists even during the holy month of Ramadan and you will not face any problems finding food or having a good time while you visit Turkey in Ramadan.

Where Can I Find Food in Turkey during Ramadan?

A visit to Turkey is nothing without its cultural and tasty food. Most – if not all – of the restaurants and street food stalls remain operational all year round and you’ll have no problems grabbing a quick bite or a 5 star dining experience any time in Ramadan.

In fact, as a tourist visiting Turkey, you might not even realize that the holy month of Ramadan is going on. Remember though, since Muslims will be breaking their fast at sunset everyday during the month of Ramadan, some restaurants may be temporarily closed as the staff eats their meal while other restaurants may be a little more crowded than usual around sunset. So, if you’re planning to have an early dinner, it’s best to call in and reserve a table at your favorite restaurant beforehand.

One thing you should know as a tourist is that the end of Ramadan is marked by a religious holiday called Bayram during which some restaurants and activities might be closed. Bayram in 2023 is expected to be around 2nd May so make sure you plan your itinerary accordingly. You’ll still love to witness the cheerful atmosphere and might even get invited to a feast or two during your visit to Turkey during the Bayram holidays.

Need help planning your trip to Turkey? Get in touch with us for the perfect Ramadan itinerary.