The ninth month of the Muslim calendar is the Holy Month of Ramadan, also known as Ramazan in Turkish. Here is a glimpse at what to expect during Ramadan in Turkey if you are travelling there during this unique time of year.
What is Ramadan?
To begin with, why is Ramadan such a significant event in the Turkish holiday calendar? Most of us understand the fundamentals. Muslims observe a period of daytime fasting from sunrise to sunset.
However, there is so much more to this holy month than just that. Ramadan is regarded as the holiest month of the year because it commemorates Muhammad’s first encounter with the Quran. Prayer, fasting, abstinence, and remembering the less fortunate are all ways to feel closer to Allah during this time. Additionally, after sunset, cultural events are held during this joyous time for feasting, gifting, good actions, and celebration. Muslims are required to observe the month of Ramadan, the fourth pillar of Islam, throughout their lives.
There are, however, some exceptions: Children who have not reached puberty, the elderly, and the ill, women who are menstruation, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and travellers are exempt from the requirement to fast.
Are Travellers Affected by Ramadan in Turkey?
Considering that Turkey is a secular state with a predominantly Muslim population, what will it be like to visit during Ramadan? To begin with, you will see the word Ramazan instead of Ramadan when you are here. Additionally, certain mosques’ exteriors will be illuminated. The minarets will be illuminated.
Travel Destinations during Ramadan
Islam uses the lunar calendar, which is approximately eleven days earlier than the Gregorian calendar. This means that starting in 2023; many Turkish seaside resorts will celebrate Ramadan during the off- season. In contrast, during the off-season, life goes on as usual in places like Fethiye and Bodrum. Additionally, we think that now is a fantastic opportunity to visit these locations.
Your visit won’t be much impacted if you are in these locations during Ramadan. The same is true of the popular tourist destinations in large cities like Antalya, Izmir, and Istanbul. For instance, since many Muslim tourists won’t be travelling during this time, you may find that many of the major tourist attractions in Istanbul have shorter lines and fewer crowds.
Mosque of Süleymaniye during Ramadan
There will be more people in places like Süleymaniye Mosque. Even if some of the cafés and restaurants may be more subdued throughout the day, they are still open, friendly, and eager to serve you.
Places like Sultanahmet Camii (the Blue Mosque) and Suleymaniye Mosque, which is frequented by people praying, will probably be busier if you’re visiting Istanbul for the first time. Mosques are typically closed to guests during prayer hours, however please show consideration for people who are praying at other times of the day. However, you will be able to observe all of the public Iftar feasts and celebrations as well as the Ramadan decorations. Thus, it’s a unique moment to visit the nation.
Areas That Are Conservative during Ramadan
Your experience of Turkish Ramadan will be very different if you intend to travel to small villages and cities, especially those that are not on the seaside. To be prepared, it’s a good idea to do some study before your trip. For instance, Konya is renowned for her religiosity. During the day, many stores and restaurants will be closed.
The Appearance of Our Ramazan in Fethiye
Particularly in more secular regions like the seaside tourist cities and villages, Turkish people will celebrate Ramadan in a variety of ways. For instance, some will abstain from alcohol for the duration of the month. Some people may abstain from smoking during the day. This is not to imply that there aren’t any individuals in these regions who will observe Ramadan strictly. Please keep that in mind while you’re out and about.
Restaurants & Bars during Ramadan
First off, if you’re in the neighborhood during Ramadan, the good news is that most tourist locations such as Fethiye bars and restaurants will remain open as usual and welcome both locals and tourists from other countries.
Some of the eateries may be extremely busy at sunset because they may offer a special menu for the iftar meal, which is the breaking of the fast. Keep in note that waiters and hotel employees may be fasting during Ramadan. Give them a break if they appear a little drowsy or preoccupied. Even on the shorter winter days, working without food or drink is exhausting.
What happens at Sunset?
As one might anticipate, people who are fasting are eager for nightfall to arrive so they can eat. Before breaking their fast, individuals wait for the call to prayer at dusk. To break the fast with a special Iftar meal, many people who aren’t fasting will still go home, to a restaurant, or to an Iftar Çadırı.
In towns and cities, local officials and neighborhoods set up Iftar Çadırı, or Iftar Tents, and invite others to join them in breaking the fast. (This is a location where friends and strangers can meet.) This implies congested roadways in the final moments before nightfall. Additionally, drivers can occasionally be impatient. If you hear a lot of extra horn beeping at traffic lights, don’t be shocked.
Turkish Traditional Ramadan Cuisine
Ramadan-related traditional Turkish cuisine is found all around the nation. Keep an eye out for these to get a delicious taste of Turkish Ramadan. Dates or other dry fruits may be presented to you. These are typically consumed prior to the Iftar meal in order to prime the body for post-fast eating.
During Holy Month, one of the customary desserts is gullaç. If you enjoy sweets, try this; it’s available at supermarkets and pastry shops. Everyone enjoys the bread. And without the well-known Ramazan pidesi, Ramadan in Turkey would just not be the same. This is a tasty, round, flat loaf of bread, not to be confused with the long, thin pide with toppings.
As part of our Ramadan, we line up at the neighborhood bakery just before nightfall to get our hands on freshly made, still-hot, Ramazan pidesi from the fırın (stone oven).
The baker is skillfully removing a conveyor belt of bread from the oven. The bakery employees wrap a piece of paper over each freshly cooked loaf before handing it to the eager customers as he uses his knife to cut crisscrosses in the next batch of loaves and sprinkles them with sesame seeds before slipping them into the flaming abyss.
Bread should never be squandered in Turkish culture. Therefore, any stale, leftover Ramazan bread is used for dishes like et sote (Turkish beef saute) at Iftar the next day. Leftover bread croutons are served with et sote. Bulgur pilaf, rice, and Turkish soups are some of the other traditional foods offered at Iftar. Meals are high in protein plus “olive oil dishes,” such as barbunya pilaki and taze fasulye. There will be a variety of meze meals available, of course.
Events & Street Markets in Ramadan
Evening activities will undoubtedly shift indoors as the weather becomes colder every Ramadan. However, Fethiye for instance has previously hosted several public events during the festival during warmer months. Evening street markets, performances, and a Mevlevi Sema Ceremony, better known as the Whirling Dervishes, have all taken place. This kind of public gathering is a very beautiful approach to experience the Turkish Ramadan culture.
How do people get out of bed in the small hours of the morning to eat sahur, which is the last meal before the sun comes out? It is their last chance to eat, so they make themselves rise early.
A significant Ramazan custom, however, is for drummers to beat out a rhythm while pacing the streets at night in order to rouse people. The drummers have been absent from some locations in recent years. Depending on who you talk to, locals either miss them or don’t. I suppose it’s not ideal to have a bunch of drummers march past your bedroom window in the middle of the night if you’re not fasting for any reason and need a restful night’s sleep before work the next day.
FAQs Regarding Ramadan in Turkey
What is the duration of Ramadan?
Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days. The crescent moon sighting marks the start of this holy month. Varied nations throughout the world may have slightly varied start dates as they await the moon sighting.
What does Kadir Gecesi mean?
Laylatul Qadr is known in Turkish as Kadir Gecesi, which translates to “Night of Power.” It occurs during the final 10 days of Ramadan and is considered one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar. The Prophet Muhammad received the revelation of the Quran on the night of Kadir Gecesi.
In Turkey, are stores closed during Ramadan?
The majority of stores, eateries, and bars in tourist-heavy locations will remain open throughout Ramadan.
In Turkey, can you drink alcohol during Ramadan?
This one calls for common sense. Enjoy and participate like you normally would if you are in a tourist or urban area with bars and people drinking. If you do want to drink, take it back to your lodging or use the hotel bar if a cursory look around you clearly shows that there isn’t any alcohol present. During Ramadan, the majority of eateries are open as usual.
During Ramadan, is it okay for me to eat in restaurants?
During Ramadan, restaurants will welcome you as a foreign tourist. Just like with alcohol, you can tell the situation by looking about you during the day. Participate at dining establishments as you would usually if others are eating and drinking there.
Restaurants that are open will still welcome you if there are no public dining establishments in the area you are in. Simply be a little more discrete by sitting indoors, or at the very least, out of the direct line of sight of onlookers. For instance, you won’t feel uncomfortable eating during the day in the touristy spots.
What follows the month of Ramadan?
Make important to prepare ahead if you plan to use public transit to travel to other parts of the nation. Eid al-Fitr, the feast of breaking the fast, starts at the end of Ramadan. In Turkey, this is known as Ramazan Bayramı or, less commonly these days, Şeker Bayramı. The holiday lasts for three days.
As a result, buses and airplanes fill up as people travel to see relatives and take in the celebration. This is the perfect time to indulge in a variety of traditional Turkish sweets and desserts.
We celebrate Kurban Bayramı, or Eid al-Adha, about 70 days following the end of Ramadan. The same advice applies to travellers: make reservations in advance or spend a few days in one place to take in the celebrations.
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