When you shouldn't go to Istanbul?

Istanbul is beautiful at any time of year: day and night, in heat and rain, and even in snow (it's rare, but it happens).

Many people ask locals: "I can only come to Istanbul in March, is it worth it? Or will it still be cold?" Of course it's worth it! Even if the heavens open up and hail starts falling, in our blog you'll find 33 recipes for what to do on a rainy day.

But still, there are days when traveling to the city on two continents will come with some inconveniences.

In this article, we'll tell you when it's better to go somewhere like Bodrum instead of Istanbul, and which events won't be a hindrance.

Turkey is a secular state according to its constitution. Nevertheless, many Muslims live in the country. Istanbul alone has more than 3,000 mosques. So religious holidays affect everyone in one way or another.

The holy month of Ramadan is a time when Muslims fast, engage in charity, and purify themselves not only physically but spiritually.

Contrary to popular belief, the fast that Muslims observe during the month of Ramadan has little effect on tourists. The thing is, Muslims cannot eat, sing, or smoke from dawn until sunset. Many travelers worry that everything will be closed and it will be impossible to have lunch or go to the supermarket. Don't worry. In the places you'll be visiting, restaurants and shops operate as usual. You can even find alcohol. In areas where religious populations live, some establishments close, but tourists usually don't go there anyway.

Of course, you shouldn't eat chocolate bars while drinking cognac standing in line at a mosque. But if you're simply eating in a cafe, no one will bother you. By the way, if your trip falls during the month of Ramadan, be sure to stop by a bakery for Ramadan pide. This is a special type of bread, similar to flatbread, that's only baked during this time. Very delicious!

If you dream of sleeping in during your vacation, then you shouldn't go to Istanbul during Ramadan. The thing is, starting around three in the morning, drummers walk through the streets. They beat their drums very diligently to wake up those who are fasting for their first meal, which must take place before the first rays of sun appear over the horizon.

In 2026, the month of Ramadan will begin on February 17 and last until March 19. From March 19 to 22, there will be the Ramadan holiday, which is called şeker bayram, meaning "sweet, sugar festival." There's a good chance you'll be offered sweets everywhere: in cafes, in shops, and even just on the street. You have to admit, that's a pretty nice bonus. There might be more people in mosques than on regular days, but again, probably not in the tourist center. Some say Istanbul is crowded at this time, but to me it seems like everyone disperses to visit relatives and go on vacation. Even if you get tired of crowds, you can always go on a boat trip. There, no one will definitely bother you.

Kurban Bayram is the holiday that tourists fear most because it involves animal sacrifice. I agree, it sounds scary. However, we're in Istanbul, not in a mountain village. You won't see pools of blood or sheep being slaughtered in the main square. Locals mostly travel to relatives in other cities and villages. And there, behind a fence, they slaughter a lamb, organizing a barbecue for the whole family. The animal's meat is divided into three parts. One is given to those in need, the second is used to treat guests and friends, and the third is kept for themselves.

Istanbul's butcher shops have long offered a service where a person can remotely buy a lamb. That is, it will be slaughtered for the client, divided into three parts, and can even be delivered to all three categories who are entitled to the sacrificial meat. So to find bloody scenes on Istanbul's streets, you'd have to try hard.

In 2026, Kurban Bayram will be celebrated from May 26 to 30.

The unpleasantness that might spoil your vacation during Bayram is the fact that for locals, public transportation is free during holidays. This means there will be many people in the metro, trams, and on ferries.

Another argument in favor of planning your Istanbul trip for other dates is expensive plane tickets and increased hotel rates. It's simple: Turks have holidays, and they travel. Some from Istanbul, and some to Istanbul.

If you're craving magic and New Year's atmosphere, then Istanbul is definitely not for you. Lately they've been decorating Christmas trees, adorning the city, organizing Christmas markets, but nevertheless, this doesn't compare at all to what we're used to seeing before the main holiday.

Here women aren't given tulips and Raffaello chocolates. Women in Turkey fight for their rights, speak out against domestic violence, and show an active civic position. You won't find the atmosphere of spring day in Istanbul.

You definitely shouldn't go to Istanbul on days when they close metro stations and completely block the main pedestrian street Istiklal. Many hotels are located right next to it. So it can be difficult to get to your "home" or, conversely, to leave it. Also on these days they completely close metro stations, and not just the most popular and central ones - Taksim and Şişhane, but also Osmanbey and Şişli, metrobus stops. Because of this, huge traffic jams form on the streets. Getting to the airport even by taxi can become a difficult quest.

Istiklal is closed on March 8th, May 1st, during pride + when spontaneous protests happen, but this occurs quite rarely.

There are also other state holidays: April 23 - National Sovereignty and Children's Day May 19 - Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day August 30 - Victory Day October 29 - Republic Day

On these days Istiklal isn't blocked, but public transportation is free for locals, so there will be significantly more people on the streets than usual. Don't worry if you've already planned your trip for these exact dates. You can always go on a boat trip and enjoy Istanbul from the water.

So when shouldn't you go to Istanbul? It's up to you to decide. Don't like crowds in the metro, blocked streets, inflated prices? Then it's better to postpone your trip. Or maybe these downsides don't seem significant to you. In reality, even during holidays and in bad weather, this city remains incredibly alive, "delicious," beautiful, and generous with impressions.

Understanding the nuances is the key to comfortable travel. Just check the calendar, plan your route in advance, and on crowded days, go see the city from the water. You have to agree, cruising along the Bosphorus is much more pleasant than standing in traffic near Taksim. Istanbul is always waiting!