Ramadan brings out one of Amasra's least-known but most special sides. Unlike the summer crowds, the town returns to its own rhythm in this month: in the morning the boats pull into the harbor, after the afternoon prayer the bazaar bustles with iftar preparations, and at the evening call to prayer both harbors fall quiet. On this page you will find Amasra during Ramadan and the holiday breaks, together with the dates for the next 10 years.
What is Amasra like during Ramadan?
Because Amasra is a small town, Ramadan is lived much more visibly here than in big cities. Toward iftar the restaurants around the Small Harbor and the Large Harbor set their tables; the call to prayer echoes from the castle and from the Fatih Mosque at the same time. Tarawih prayer in the Fatih Mosque, converted from a Byzantine church, is a distinct experience within the town's two-thousand-year history. The Galla Market, held on Tuesdays and Fridays, is the right address for those looking for iftar groceries: village jams, chestnut honey, fresh greens and hand-rolled products are bought directly from the producer.
Fish on the iftar table
Amasra's loveliest Ramadan-specific coincidence is this: for the next ten years Ramadan always falls in autumn and winter, that is, in Amasra's fish season. In the season that starts on September 1, when the fishing ban is lifted, and lasts until April, the stalls fill with anchovies, whiting, horse mackerel and bonito. Fresh fish by the sea at iftar is a Ramadan tradition that is this natural in very few places in Turkey. In the November and December Ramadans (2033, 2034, 2035) anchovies are at the height of abundance; in the January–February Ramadans (2028–2032) whiting and turbot take center stage.
Amasra during the Bayram holidays
The Ramadan and Kurban Bayram holidays are the periods when Amasra experiences its busiest days of the year. During the three-to-four-day public holiday the town's population multiplies several times; everywhere fills up, from Kemere Bridge to the Çekiciler Bazaar. If you plan to come at Bayram, we have two tips: book your accommodation weeks in advance and leave your car in the car parks at the town entrance and explore the center on foot. For accommodation options you can look at our guide to the best places to stay in Amasra.
10-year Ramadan and Bayram calendar (2026–2035)
The dates follow the astronomical calculation method of the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). Religious days begin on the evening of the previous day with the call to prayer; Ramazan Bayramı is a 3-day and Kurban Bayramı a 4-day public holiday, and the half-day before both (arefe) is also a holiday from midday.
| Year | Ramadan (fasting period) | Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı) | Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 February – 19 March 2026 | 20–22 March 2026 (Friday–Sunday) | 27–30 May 2026 (Wednesday–Saturday) |
| 2027 | 8 February – 8 March 2027 | 9–11 March 2027 (Tuesday–Thursday) | 16–19 May 2027 (Sunday–Wednesday) |
| 2028 | 28 January – 25 February 2028 | 26–28 February 2028 (Saturday–Monday) | 5–8 May 2028 (Friday–Monday) |
| 2029 | 16 January – 13 February 2029 | 14–16 February 2029 (Wednesday–Friday) | 24–27 April 2029 (Tuesday–Friday) |
| 2030 | 5 January – 3 February 2030 | 4–6 February 2030 (Monday–Wednesday) | 13–16 April 2030 (Saturday–Tuesday) |
| 2031 | 26 December 2030 – 23 January 2031 | 24–26 January 2031 (Friday–Sunday) | 2–5 April 2031 (Wednesday–Saturday) |
| 2032 | 15 December 2031 – 13 January 2032 | 14–16 January 2032 (Wednesday–Friday) | 22–25 March 2032 (Monday–Thursday) |
| 2033 | 4 December 2032 – 1 January 2033 | 2–4 January 2033 (Sunday–Tuesday) | 11–14 March 2033 (Friday–Monday) |
| 2033 (2nd Ramadan) | 23 November – 22 December 2033 | 23–25 December 2033 (Friday–Sunday) | 1–4 March 2034 (Wednesday–Saturday) |
| 2034 | 12 November – 11 December 2034 | 12–14 December 2034 (Tuesday–Thursday) | 18–21 February 2035 (Sunday–Wednesday) |
| 2035 | 1 November – 30 November 2035 | 1–3 December 2035 (Saturday–Monday) | 7–10 February 2036 (Thursday–Sunday) |
Note: Because the Hijri year has 354 days, Ramadan moves forward 10–12 days every year; in 2033 there are two Ramadans. The dates are accepted as final according to Diyanet's calculation method; still, we recommend checking official announcements during the year when making your holiday plans.
Practical information
- Imsak and iftar times: Amasra belongs to Bartın province; for the current timetable you can use Diyanet's times for Bartın.
- Tarawih: It is performed in the Fatih Mosque and the mosques within the bazaar. See our guide for the history of the Fatih Mosque.
- Restaurants: In winter Ramadans some businesses may be closed; most fish restaurants around the harbor are open and serve according to iftar time.
- Market days: The Galla Market is also held on Tuesdays and Fridays during Ramadan; go in the morning for iftar groceries.
- Other events: For all fixed days of the year and public holidays, see our Amasra Events Calendar page.
