Public Holidays in Turkey 2026: Bayram Tatili Dates, Long Weekends & Travel Tips

Public holidays in Turkey 2026 play a major role in shaping travel demand, especially around bayram tatili (religious holiday breaks), long weekends, and extended leave periods. For international travelers, Turkey’s holiday calendar affects flight availability, hotel pricing, domestic transport, and crowd levels across major destinations such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, and the Aegean coast.

Public Holidays in Turkey 2026 (Official)

Below are key nationwide public holidays (resmi tatiller – official public holidays) in Turkey for 2026 that most affect travel and business operations.

Note: Many holidays create longer breaks when combined with weekends and personal leave days.

Major Festivals That Shape Travel in Turkey

Turkey’s most important festivals are also its official public holidays. Rather than having separate festival seasons, nationwide travel patterns are driven by religious and national observances that come with guaranteed time off.

The two most significant travel-shaping festivals are religious holidays (bayram):

Ramadan Feast (Ramazan Bayramı – Eid al-Fitr)

This marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the most important holidays in Turkey. Families travel across the country to visit relatives, while popular destinations experience a sharp increase in bookings. Because the holiday often expands into an extended break (bayram tatili), it creates one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı – Eid al-Adha)

Sacrifice Feast is the longest and most disruptive holiday in Turkey in terms of travel. With a small number of leave days, the holiday can stretch close to nine days, leading to nationwide congestion on roads, airports, and intercity transport networks.

In addition to religious holidays, several national days also carry festival-like characteristics:

• National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) features public ceremonies and events focused on youth.
• Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) includes official celebrations, flags across cities, and evening events that give it a festive atmosphere.

While Turkey hosts many cultural events and local festivals throughout the year, they are regional and do not affect nationwide travel patterns. For visitors, it is the official public holidays and bayram tatili periods that matter most when planning a trip.

Long Weekends and Peak Travel Periods in 2026

In 2026, Turkey’s busiest travel periods are driven by extended holiday breaks created around religious holidays (bayram) and long weekends. The most significant peaks occur during Ramadan Feast (Ramazan Bayramı) in March and Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı) in late May, both of which can stretch into multi-day breaks when combined with weekends and leave days.

During these periods, domestic travel increases sharply as families travel across the country and popular destinations fill quickly. Flights, intercity buses, and hotels often reach full capacity well before the holidays begin.

Shorter but still notable travel spikes also appear around National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı), Labour and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü), and Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı). These holidays are commonly used for short city breaks and regional trips, especially when they fall close to weekends.

What Remains Open During Public Holidays in Turkey

Generally open

• Hotels, resorts, and tourist accommodations
• Restaurants, cafés, and shopping malls in major cities
• Public transport, often operating on reduced schedules

Often closed or limited

• Government offices and public institutions
• Banks and post offices
• Some small local businesses, especially during bayram mornings

Seasonal Travel Considerations in Turkey

Travel conditions in Turkey vary widely by season, and public holidays can amplify these patterns. Understanding how holidays interact with weather and travel demand helps visitors choose the best time to explore the country.

Winter (January to February) is generally quieter outside of major cities. This season suits travelers interested in cultural sightseeing in Istanbul or winter sports in mountain regions, with lower prices and fewer crowds.

Spring (March to May) offers mild temperatures and ideal conditions for sightseeing. However, when Ramadan Feast (Ramazan Bayramı) or Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı) falls during this period, travel demand increases significantly, especially on popular routes between major cities and coastal regions.

Summer (June to August) is the peak season for beach destinations along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Domestic travel intensifies during school holidays and around Democracy and National Unity Day (Demokrasi ve Milli Birlik Günü), making advance reservations essential for seaside resorts.

Autumn (September to October) is one of the most comfortable times to travel, with cooler temperatures and reduced crowds. Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) often creates a final travel surge before winter, particularly for short breaks and cultural trips.

Staying Connected While Traveling in Turkey

Traveling during Turkey’s public holidays often means crowded transport hubs and last-minute changes to plans. Reliable mobile data helps travelers navigate bookings, transport updates, and maps.

Eskimo offers flexible connectivity options for travelers visiting Turkey, including Turkey eSIM, Europe eSIM, and Global eSIM plans. Across all plans, travelers can:

• Try 500 MB of free global data before purchasing
• Keep unused data when topping up
• Share data with friends or family traveling together

FAQs

How many public holidays are there in Turkey?

Turkey observes several nationwide public holidays each year, with the longest breaks occurring during Ramadan Feast (Ramazan Bayramı) and Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı).

What is Turkey’s biggest public holiday?

The most significant holidays are Ramadan Feast (Ramazan Bayramı) and Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı), both of which create extended holiday breaks (bayram tatili).

Why do Turkish holidays last so long?

Extended breaks form when public holidays are combined with weekends and a small number of leave days.

Do businesses close during public holidays in Turkey?

Government offices and banks usually close, while hotels, restaurants, and tourist services remain open.