Ramadan is a special month that we long for impatiently each year, that brings families and friends together at the dinner to break their fasts. Food is shared in this holy month, prayers are shared and peace is enjoyed by praying together. Not only prayings and peace, but also amusement suits well in Ramadan. Perhaps the reason why is we call Ramadan as “The Sultan of the Eleven Months” not just “a holy month”.
And Ramadan in Istanbul is lived magically and excitingly. Ones, who spent a few days of this holy month in Istanbul, will sure understand what I mean. Ramadan in Istanbul is; the illuminated holy quotes reflection from minarets, the bustles of people to catch “iftar” (dinner to break fast), the smell of freshly baked breads from bakeries and fun. What makes this month more pleasant is the crowded, charming and repetitive amusements each night in Old Istanbul’s streets.
Let us talk about the popular Ramadan entertainments in this article. Let us tell what it is to whom has not experienced yet, and let us remind the ones, whom has already enjoyed it.
Ramadan Entertainments In Istanbul
Feshane Garden, Yenikapı Seaside Road and Beyazit Square are having a holy atmosphere during Ramadan. Visitors enjoy not only breaking their fasts but also being together, by the mystic music, concert of famous musicians and sometimes theatres for kids before and after the ‘iftar’. These amusement are always fun with the participation of food, desert and beverage stands in common areas.
You may either bring your own food, buy something from the stands or eat at one of the restaurants in the area to break your fast. Either way, you are going to enjoy all the activities taking part before and after the ‘iftar’.
This is easy for residents of Istanbul but how about if you live out of town? People, who want to join these activities, can accommodate in one of the Tempo Hotels and Residences.
Tempo Hotel Caglayan is convenient to go to Feshane Gardens and Yenikapı Seaside Road Festivities and Tempo Residence Gayrettepe for Beyazit Square shows and amusements.
Visiting The Mosques and Praying
Joining a tarawih prayer in one of the historic mosques in Istanbul is another divine experience. Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), Eyup Sultan Mosque and Tomb, Hirka-i Serif Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, Merkezefendi Mosque and Tomb, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque and Tomb are only few historical mosques which you can visit and pray in. Moreover you can both join the Ramadan amusements and pray in Beyazit Square because of their close locations.
A Journey In The Ottoman History
We have talked about what to do during and after the ‘iftar’. But how about the daytime activities? During fasting, you can have a quiet yet pleasant trip around historical peninsula. Here are some advices to visit and to have fun during these trips:
- Hagia Sophia
- Topkapi Palace
- Oruc Baba Shrine
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
- The Basilica Cistern
A Day At Ahirkapi Streets
It is Ahirkapi, the very narrow streets when you go to Yenikapi from Sultanahmet Square by walk. Having a walk in these streets, wandering around old historical houses, shopping from the local shops make you take pleasure not only in Ramadan but also in each month of the year.
That being said “good old Ramadan days”, if you ever take part in Ramadan amusements in Istanbul, you will find those old Ramadan days. I wish you all the best for the upcoming Ramadan.
Written by: Isıl Arıkan