DRKNTUR TURİZM SEYAHAT ACENTASI - Document No: 13193
With the right planning, 2026 offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy longer holidays with just a few days off. Public holidays, school breaks and religious festivals can be combined to create quieter, more enjoyable travel periods throughout the year.
In this guide, we’ve gathered all official public holidays in Turkey, based on government announcements, school holidays according to the Ministry of Education, and religious holidays based on official calendars. For international travellers, we’ve also included widely observed dates such as Easter and Christmas, which often influence travel planning.
Day: Thursday
New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday. By taking Friday, January 2 off, you can enjoy a 4-day break including the weekend.
A calm and peaceful start to the year for those who prefer quieter travel periods.
Last school day: Friday, January 16, 2026
First day of holiday: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Schools reopen: Monday, February 2, 2026
This is the first long school holiday of the year in Turkey. It’s an ideal period for families and for travellers who prefer winter escapes away from peak crowds.
First day of holiday: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Schools reopen: Monday, March 23, 2026
This short spring break coincides with the beginning of warmer weather. Nature starts to come alive, while popular destinations are still relatively quiet.
Eve: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Holiday: Friday–Sunday, March 20–22, 2026
This holiday falls very close to the March school break, making it possible to plan a longer spring holiday with careful scheduling. A pleasant time of year with mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026
Good Friday: April 3, 2026 (observed in many countries)
Easter is an important holiday period for many international travellers. Combined with spring weather, it often marks the beginning of the European travel season.
Day: Thursday
Taking Friday, April 24 off allows for a 4-day break. Particularly suitable for families travelling with children.
Day: Friday
A ready-made 3-day weekend. One of the most pleasant times of the year for short spring getaways.
Day: Tuesday
By taking Monday, May 18 off, this holiday can be turned into a 4-day break. A great period just before the summer season begins.
Eve: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (half day)
Holiday: Wednesday–Saturday, May 27–30, 2026
With a few additional days off, this holiday offers the chance for a longer early-summer break before peak season crowds arrive.
Day: Wednesday
A midweek public holiday. Taking Tuesday or Thursday off can help extend the break.
Date: Friday, December 25, 2026
Christmas is widely observed across Europe and many other countries. In 2026, it falls on a Friday, creating a 3-day weekend and marking one of the busiest international travel periods of the year.
Day: Sunday
Falls on a weekend, so it doesn’t add an extra day off, but it’s a meaningful date for a short end-of-summer escape.
Day: Thursday
October 28: Half day
By taking Friday, October 30 off, you can enjoy a 4-day autumn break. Ideal for quieter, nature-focused holidays.
The most efficient holiday plans often come from taking time off on Mondays or Fridays. Reviewing the calendar with this mindset can help you create longer breaks using fewer leave days.
The dates in this guide can help identify quieter and more flexible travel periods throughout the year. Public holidays and school breaks often present opportunities for more relaxed holidays, especially outside peak summer months.
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This guide is based on:
Official public holidays announced by the Turkish government
School holiday schedules from the Turkish Ministry of Education
Religious holidays based on official calendars
International reference holidays (Easter and Christmas) commonly used in global travel planning
Dates may be subject to official updates.
