Türkiye has seven fixed national holidays and two moveable religious holidays, the Bayrams, that follow the Islamic lunar calendar and shift roughly 11 days earlier each year. The fixed dates rarely affect a trip. The two Bayrams can reshape it: prices jump, intercity buses and domestic flights sell out, and banks, government offices and many local shops close for days. This guide lists every holiday with exact dates for 2026 and 2027, what stays open, and how to plan around the disruption.
Fixed National Holidays
These fall on the same date every year. Because they are fixed, the weekday changes, and Turkey does not generally move a Tuesday or Thursday holiday to a Monday or Friday.
| Holiday | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Yılbaşı) | 1 January | One day |
| National Sovereignty and Children’s Day | 23 April | Parades, children take symbolic government roles |
| Labour and Solidarity Day | 1 May | Union marches in Istanbul and Ankara, some roads closed |
| Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day | 19 May | Stadium ceremonies, flags everywhere |
| Democracy and National Unity Day | 15 July | Marks the 2016 coup attempt, one day |
| Victory Day | 30 August | Military parades, especially in Ankara and Izmir |
| Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) | 29 October | Half day on the 28th from 13:00, fireworks and flag displays on the 29th |
Republic Day in 2026 falls on a Thursday, and 28 October is a Wednesday half day. Expect some businesses to close early on the Wednesday and for many Turkish families to take Friday 30 October off, which makes it a busy long weekend for domestic travel.
Moveable Religious Holidays (Bayrams)
The two Bayrams are the ones that matter. Dates below come from the Diyanet religious calendar and the official holiday announcements; confirm the final dates and any extra administrative leave days closer to travel, as the government sometimes adds days to create a longer break.
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr) | 20-22 March (eve and half day: 19 March) | 9-11 March (eve and half day: 8 March) |
| Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha) | 27-30 May (eve and half day: 26 May) | 16-19 May (eve and half day: 15 May) |
Ramazan Bayramı (also called Şeker Bayramı, the Sugar Feast) follows the month of Ramadan and lasts three days. Kurban Bayramı (the Feast of Sacrifice) lasts four days and is the bigger of the two. The half day on the eve (arefe) is official for the public sector, but many private businesses work the full day.
In 2027 the Kurban Bayramı eve falls on a Saturday and the holiday runs Sunday to Wednesday. The government may add extended leave around it, so some reports mention a nine-day break for civil servants. This is not automatic, so check the Resmi Gazete announcement before booking around it.
Ramadan itself (the fasting month before Ramazan Bayramı) is not a public holiday. See our Turkey in April and Turkey in November guides for seasonal context, and the festivals and events guide for other dates worth planning around.
What Is Open and Closed
Fixed holidays
- Banks and government offices: closed. ATMs and exchange offices in tourist areas keep working.
- Shops and malls: most large malls and chains stay open. Small independent shops may close on 1 May and 29 October.
- Museums and sites: state museums and archaeological sites generally open, often with extra visitors. Check the day before for sites with free entry on national days, and note that some state museums close on Monday regardless.
- Restaurants, cafes, hotels: open, and busiest in resorts.
- Transport: metros, trams and ferries run, sometimes on a Sunday timetable. Intercity buses and flights operate normally.
Bayram days
- Banks, government offices, post offices: closed for the full holiday. Withdraw cash and change money before the eve.
- Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar in Istanbul: the Grand Bazaar closes for the Bayram, usually for the first days. Shops elsewhere may shut for the entire period, especially in smaller towns.
- Museums and sites: major attractions such as Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia and Ephesus generally open, but check the first day of the Bayram, when hours may be shortened or the site closed. Some state museums close on the first day of Kurban Bayramı.
- Restaurants: tourist restaurants stay open. Local lokantas in business districts and smaller towns often close for several days, so book dinner on the first day.
- Public transport: Istanbul has often made metro, bus and ferry travel free during Bayram days, but this varies by year and is announced shortly before. Expect reduced frequency in smaller cities.
- Resorts (Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris): fully operational and very busy with domestic holidaymakers.
Most Disruptive Holidays for Travelers
- Kurban Bayramı: the single biggest disruption. Four days of closures, prices at their annual peak, and Turkish families travelling en masse. Livestock markets and sacrifices happen in neighbourhoods across the country, which is part of the tradition but may surprise visitors.
- Ramazan Bayramı: three days, similar travel rush but a lighter closure pattern. The Bayram also marks the end of fasting, so evenings feel festive.
- Republic Day (29 October): busy rather than closed. Expect crowds at Anıtkabir in Ankara and heavy road closures near parades.
- 1 May and 15 July: possible protest-related road closures in Istanbul, mainly around Taksim and bridges.
Planning Around the Bayrams
Book early. Intercity bus tickets and domestic flights sell out weeks ahead for the days before and after a Bayram. Istanbul to Antalya and Istanbul to Izmir are particularly tight; see our Istanbul to Antalya guide and getting around Türkiye for options.
Expect price rises. Coastal hotels commonly charge a Bayram premium, and car rental rates climb. Reserve both well in advance, and see the car rental guide for tips.
Get cash early. Withdraw lira and change currency before the eve. ATMs refill less often during the holiday.
Consider the alternative. Cities often feel emptier for the first Bayram days because Istanbul and Ankara residents leave for their home towns. If you want quiet streets and uncrowded sights, Istanbul can be pleasant, but stay in the Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu or Karaköy areas where tourist businesses remain open. Pre-booked guided options such as Istanbul tours keep running through the holidays, and a booked tour removes the risk of arriving at a closed site.
Etiquette. Greetings during Bayram are “Bayramınız mübarek olsun” (a blessed Bayram to you) or “İyi bayramlar”. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and you may be offered sweets or Turkish delight. See our etiquette and customs guide for more.
Quick Checklist
- Check the exact dates for your travel year in the table above before booking flights.
- Avoid scheduling arrival or departure on the eve or final day of a Bayram.
- Reserve transport, hotels and first-night dinners well ahead.
- Carry enough cash for banking closures.
- Confirm opening hours of any must-see site for the Bayram days.
- Browse Türkiye tours for experiences that run through the holidays.
Dates are as of 2026 and based on the official calendar and Diyanet announcements. Because Bayram dates depend on moon sighting, they can occasionally shift by a day, so double-check the final announcement before you commit.