You have completed all your holiday preparations and made your reservation for your Antalya trip. You have noticed that the period you will visit coincides with the month of Ramadan in Turkey.
In this article, you will find the information we have compiled for you about how Ramadan Period went in Antalya.
What is Ramadan and the Ramadan Feast
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar that is considered as one of the holiest Islamic months. This month of fasting and prayer for Muslims lasts for 30 days.
As Ramadan shifts approximately 11 days earlier each year on the solar-based Gregorian calendar, Muslims experience Ramadan in different seasons throughout the course of the lives. Fasting during Ramadan means abstinence from all kind of food and drink, including water, from dawn to sunset.
Ramadan Feast comes after a month of fasting. Ramadan Feast (Sugar Feast) is an official holiday that lasts for three days in Turkey. This means; administration buildings, schools and most businesses are closed during this period.
How Does the Ramadan Feast Affects Daily Life in Antalya
Eating / Drinking and Other Entertainment
In Antalya, wherever you step, you'll feel the features of a city designed according to tourists coming from different parts of the world. This hallmarks will not change much and the tourists usually does not experience major differences by their side during this holy month in Antalya. It is very possible that they don't notice any change especially if they're staying in a closed resort. All the tourist oriented businesses are usually open normal hours.
Bars, cafes and other entertainments will be serving during the Ramadan month. It is possible to keep going to restaurants and bars even during the Ramadan Feast.
There might be a rush hour in restaurants just before the dinner time (iftar). Many locals enjoys eating this meal with family members and friends outside. Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan. Making a reservation might be needed if you are intended to eat dinner in a specific place. There is no need to stress about it if you're already staying in a resort. Many restaurants puts special dishes and deserts to their iftar menus.
The tourists visiting Turkey are not expected to fast at all. It is only a good manner not to smoke, eat and drink in a crowded place such as bus stations during this month. Apart from that, everbody is totally welcomed to sit in a restaurant or a bar where you might see many local people choosing not to fast as well. No matter what religion they adopt, everyone's interpretation and lifestyle is different. For this reason, there is no rule that every local you will meet during this month is fasting.
And what about the official holiday on Ramadan Feast?
Even if you can find places to eat and drink, some small shops might be closed for a day or half day the first day of feast. Although this is not a rule for every shopkeeper, it is a common action to go to the mosque for praying with the congregation early in the morning the first day of Ramadan.
Museums and Other Sites
We have mentioned that during the Ramadan Feast which lasts for three days, administration buildings, schools and most businesses are closed during this period. This includes the museums and some ancient sites as well. For this reason, it would be better to check the official websites of the places you want to visit to get the information about the visiting hours.
Traffic on the Highways
As there is a three days official holiday on Ramadan Feast many civil servants and white collars are tend to visit their relatives in other cities or make travel plans. This situation often creates traffic congestion especially on highways. If you are planning to make a trip from Antalya to another city for these busy days, keep the situation about the traffic in mind!
