Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027 (1 Ramadan 1448 AH) and end with Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday 9 March, subject to moon sighting. Ramadan in Istanbul is unlike anywhere else: communal iftar in Sultanahmet Square under the mahya lights strung between minarets, tarawih at Hagia Sophia, and streets alive until suhoor. Book a hotel in Sultanahmet or Fatih early — the last ten nights sell out.
Every year the Ottoman mosques are lit with lines of lamps between two minarets spelling phrases such as "Welcome, Ramadan" — the mahya tradition, four centuries old and found nowhere else. Ramadan 2027 falls in late winter: long nights, a relatively short fast (about 12 hours) and warm atmosphere despite the cold. This guide sorts the dates, the places and where to stay.
Ramadan 2027 and Eid al-Fitr dates
| Occasion | Expected date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| First day of Ramadan 1448 | Monday 8 February 2027 | Astronomical calculation; official announcement by moon sighting |
| Last ten nights | From 27 February 2027 | Likely Laylat al-Qadr: night of 27 Ramadan ≈ 6 March |
| Eid al-Fitr | Tuesday 9 March 2027 | Public holiday in Türkiye for 3 days (plus half a day on the eve) |
| Fasting hours in Istanbul | 12 to 12.5 hours | Fajr ~6:20, maghrib ~18:10 mid-month |
Ramadan 2027 falls at the end of winter: 5–12°C by day and possible snow at night. The outdoor Ramadan atmosphere is wonderful, with a coat and a hat. Choose a hotel nearby so you don't need transport after tarawih.
Where to experience Ramadan in Istanbul
The heart of Ramadan in the city: communal iftar between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, iftar tents, craft markets and shows after tarawih. The busiest and the most beautiful.
Visit the shrine, break the fast in the cafés around the mosque, then take the cable car to Pierre Loti café for a night view of the Golden Horn.
Tarawih at Süleymaniye with its view, the Wednesday market in Fatih and suhoor restaurants in Fener and Balat.
The Grand Çamlıca Mosque and a calmer local atmosphere, with iftar on the Üsküdar waterfront facing the Maiden's Tower.
Iftar and suhoor: what to try
- Communal iftar in the courtyards of the great mosques is free and open to all; arrive an hour before the call to prayer.
- Iftar restaurants in Sultanahmet and on the Bosphorus serve a set iftar menu: soup, Ramadan pide (the special Ramadan bread), dates, olives, then the main course and dessert (künefe or the Ramadan-only güllaç).
- Suhoor is a living tradition: kebab and tantuni places in Fatih, Aksaray and Kadıköy work until dawn, and the Ramadan drummer wakes you in the old neighbourhoods.
- Ramadan sweets: güllaç appears only in Ramadan, and künefe with cream in the cafés of Fatih.
Tarawih and Laylat al-Qadr
Tarawih at Hagia Sophia is what Arab visitors come for most; it fills an hour before isha, especially in the last ten nights and the 27th. Süleymaniye is calmer and its view over the Golden Horn after prayer is unforgettable. For families with children, Fatih Mosque and its wide courtyard are more comfortable. On Laylat al-Qadr (likely 6 March 2027) night prayers continue until dawn in most of the great mosques.
Where to stay
| Area | Why | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Sultanahmet | Everything on foot: iftar, tarawih, markets | Families and first visits |
| Fatih and Aksaray | Gentler rates, Arab restaurants, near the mosques | Mid budgets and large families |
| Bosphorus (Beşiktaş, Ortaköy) | Iftar on the water and luxury hotels | Couples and those who want calm |
| Üsküdar | Local atmosphere and tarawih at Çamlıca | Those who know the city |
Practical tips
Do
- Book the hotel before December 2026 for the last ten nights
- Ask for a room away from the street if you sleep after suhoor
- Spend a day on the Asian side
- Reserve a Bosphorus iftar table in advance
- Get an Istanbulkart for getting around after tarawih
Avoid
- Arriving in Sultanahmet by car at the call to prayer — streets close
- Leaving the hotel booking to the last minute in the last ten nights
- Relying on taxis after midnight in Fatih
- Forgetting Eid is a public holiday: banks and offices close for 3 days
A Ramadan programme from Alwan
We arrange your whole Ramadan in Istanbul: a hotel near Sultanahmet or on the Bosphorus, airport pick-up, an evening Ramadan tour with an Arabic-speaking guide (Eyüp, Süleymaniye, communal iftar) and iftar table reservations. To end Ramadan with Umrah, read Ramadan Umrah 2027 from Türkiye. See our hotels service and tour programmes.
Book a Ramadan programme in Istanbul on WhatsAppKeep reading: Ramadan Umrah 2027 from Türkiye · Eid al-Fitr 2027: where to travel · Umrah visa from Türkiye · Flights from Istanbul
Frequently asked questions
When does Ramadan 2027 start?
Astronomically, the first day of Ramadan 1448 AH is expected on Monday 8 February 2027, and Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday 9 March 2027; final confirmation depends on moon sighting in each country. In Türkiye the Presidency of Religious Affairs publishes the calendar in advance.
Is Istanbul a good place to visit during Ramadan?
Very much so: the Ramadan atmosphere in Sultanahmet, Eyüp and Fatih is among the most beautiful anywhere, restaurants stay open all day for visitors, and communal iftar is free in the courtyards of the great mosques. February is cold (5–12°C), so pack winter clothes.
Where can I pray tarawih in Istanbul?
Hagia Sophia, Süleymaniye, the Blue Mosque, Fatih and Eyüp Sultan all hold tarawih and fill an hour before isha in the last ten nights. Hotels near Sultanahmet and Fatih put them within walking distance.
Do restaurants and markets open during the day in Ramadan in Türkiye?
Yes. Istanbul is a tourist city and restaurants, malls and bazaars work normally by day. The real crowds start an hour before iftar around the mosques and on İstiklal Avenue after iftar.
