Istanbul: Ramadan timetable 2027, Imsak and Iftar times

Bosphorus mornings and evenings

Spread across two continents at about 41 degrees north, Istanbul has the most northerly position of the Turkish cities on this site. On day 1, fajr is at 06:35, the sun rises at 08:08 and isha follows at 19:57.

Seventy-one minutes longer by the end

Short winter days explain the brief first fast, but daylight grows fast in February. By 22 February the fast runs from 06:08 to 18:46, or 12 h 39 min, and on 8 March from 05:47 to 19:03, or 13 h 16 min.

Most of the change happens at dawn, with imsak advancing thirty-eight minutes, while iftar moves thirty-four minutes later. By the last week, families waking for sahur do so well before six, rather than shortly before half past six.

Far west of the time-zone centre

Turkey's permanent UTC+3 is based on the 45th meridian, while Istanbul lies near 29 degrees east. The city therefore sees late sunrises, after eight o'clock in early February, and an iftar later than in Ankara, which breaks its fast at 18:16.

Calculation and the Diyanet imsakiye

Figures on this page use the Muslim World League angles of 18 and 17 degrees. Istanbul mosques follow the Diyanet imsakiye, which uses its own parameters and safety margins, so the sahur deadline and iftar can vary by a few minutes.

Expected dates for Ramadan 1448

Diyanet sets the Turkish Islamic calendar in advance, and Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, with the first tarawih prayers in Istanbul's mosques on the evening of Sunday 7 February.

Kadir Gecesi, when mosques stay full until dawn, should be observed on the night of Friday 5 March. Ramazan Bayramı is expected on Tuesday 9 March, moving to Wednesday 10 March only if the month runs to thirty days.

Mahya lights, drummers and pide

Between the minarets of the great imperial mosques, mahya strings of lights spell out messages throughout the month. Before dawn, Ramadan drummers walk through many neighbourhoods to wake residents for sahur, a custom still alive in older districts.

Crowds gather for iftar around Sultanahmet, Eyüp Sultan and the Süleymaniye, where open-air tables and festive stalls appear. At home, the meal often begins with dates, olives and soup, followed by pide, stews and güllaç for dessert.

Fasting tips for Istanbul

Commuters often break their fast on ferries, buses or the Marmaray, where fellow passengers share simit and water as the adhan sounds. Keeping a small iftar kit in a bag avoids being caught out by the city's notorious evening traffic.

• Leave earlier: traffic peaks just before 18:29 on day 1.
• Carry water and a date if crossing the Bosphorus at sunset.
• Book iftar tables in popular districts a few days ahead.
• Expect cold, wet weather in February and dress in layers.

Is the fast in Istanbul longer than in Izmir?

On the first day, it is shorter: 12 h 05 min against 12 h 11 in Izmir, which also breaks its fast later, at 18:41. By the 29th day the two cities are within a minute of each other.

What time does sahur end on the last day?

On Monday 8 March 2027, the 29th day, imsak in Istanbul is at 05:47 according to the table above, and fajr at 05:57. Eating should stop at imsak, or at the time printed in your mosque's imsakiye.

Where are the busiest iftar spots?

Sultanahmet Square, the courtyard of Eyüp Sultan Mosque and the Üsküdar waterfront are among the most crowded places at sunset. Arriving thirty minutes early helps secure a spot, especially at weekends when families come from across the city.