Istanbul at Easter?

[amtatom]

We'd like to plan a cruise for spring 2025 that starts in Istanbul. However, the first available date would include Sunday, April 20th which is Easter. Would that be a mistake because everything will be closed and/or too crowded? Would it affect our ability to book a private guide?

We'd prefer to go earlier in the spring to reduce the heat and crowds, but in this case would it be better to wait until May?

[d9704011]

Easter in Istanbul will be pretty much like any other weekend in that city.  The weather should be very pleasant in third week of April.... go and enjoy yourself.

[cruisemom42]

Turkey's population is largely Muslim, so the date of Easter will not matter. Interestingly April 20, 2025 is the date for both Orthodox Easter (Eastern/Greek Orthodox church) as well as the date for the normal Catholic/Western celebrations. Even though Istanbul does have a Greek Orthodox community, it is small. According to Wikipedia, only one-tenth of one percent of Turkey's population is Greek Orthodox.

 

Go -- April is a great time to cruise the Med. 

[auntieS]

To elaborate on cruisemom42's first point, your planned 2025 dates will be after Ramadan, but for anyone thinking of spring 2024 late Mar/early Apr, will be during Ramadan.  I thought this was interesting and helpful, especially the part about restaurants being crowded after sunset:

Istanbul during Ramadan (2023 Guide + Best Areas, Festivities, Hotels) (istanbeautiful.com)  

[Langoustine]

It's a Muslim country. NOTHING will be closed for Easter. Ramadan is another story entirely.

Edited May 7, 2023 by Langoustine