Traditions Istanbul, Turkey

Do not take pictures of women in black cloaks, men - only with their consent.

When entering a mosque or a private home take off shoes. Shoes left at the entrance. In the crowded mosques, especially by tourists, shoes can be put in plastic bags and take with them inside.

Quality goods from street vendors can be very different.

Since Turkey - a Muslim country, consumption of alcoholic beverages on the streets (even beer), in some cases may cause disapproval.

Holidays:
Ramadan - sacred month in Turkey, much of the city's population does not take food during the day, although most restaurants and cafes remain open to those who participates in the hunger strike and to non-Muslims. Festival? Eker Bayram marks the end of Ramadan, after which the inhabitants of Istanbul fall in wholesale gluttony, preferring sweet. This is one of the busiest times in the life of the city, three-day national holiday when all the businesses closed and public transport works for free.

Istanbul simply crowded with people during the celebration of Kurban Bayram - the most important religious holiday in Turkey. The four-day celebration in honor of the sacrifice of Isaac by his father Abraham on Mount Moriah, at this time packed with all the hotels and there is a significant lack of seats in transport.

As the lunar Hejira year about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Muslim holidays are celebrated each year on 11 days earlier on our calendar.

Other specific events - a film festival in Istanbul (April), day of the conquest of Constantinople (May), International Music Festival and International Jazz Festival (September / October).

Weekend:
Dates vary according to the Islamic calendar -? Eker Bayram
Dates vary according to the Islamic calendar - Kurban Bayram
May 19 - Day of Youth and Sports Day
30 August - Victory Day