Rare amtatom Posted May 4, 2023 #1 Share Posted May 4, 2023 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d9704011 Posted May 4, 2023 #2 Share Posted May 4, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted May 5, 2023 #3 Share Posted May 5, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auntieS Posted May 5, 2023 #4 Share Posted May 5, 2023 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langoustine Posted May 7, 2023 #5 Share Posted May 7, 2023 (edited) It's a Muslim country. NOTHING will be closed for Easter. Ramadan is another story entirely. Edited May 7, 2023 by Langoustine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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