Valentine's Day in Turkey: what to know
February 14 has long been celebrated in Turkey's big cities: florists, pastry shops and restaurants offer special deals, and couples go out for dinner. It is not a public holiday. Everything is open, and the celebration mostly touches the districts popular with young people and travelers: Beyoğlu, Karaköy, Cihangir, Nişantaşı, Kadıköy and the Bosphorus villages.
February is a winter month: about 10 °C in the afternoon, frequent rain and a few days of snow (see what to do in Istanbul in February). Museums are almost empty, which is an advantage for a getaway for two. Plan an indoor backup.
2027: Valentine's Day during Ramadan
According to the Diyanet calendar, Ramadan 2027 begins on Monday, February 8. Sunday, February 14 therefore falls in the middle of the fasting month. Nothing is forbidden to a couple of travelers, but the rhythm of the day changes:
- in the evening, restaurants fill up at iftar, the breaking of the fast, around 6:40 pm on that date (check the exact time before booking): a 7 pm table is harder to get than one at 8:30 pm;
- some places offer an iftar menu instead of a Valentine's menu, others change nothing; ask when booking what is served and what the price includes;
- in tourist districts most restaurants serve normally, including alcohol, but a few places in conservative neighborhoods may not;
- the atmosphere of iftar (drums, the mahya lights between the minarets) can be part of the evening: see Ramadan in Istanbul.
A romantic dinner: how to choose
On February 14, many restaurants replace the à la carte menu with a set menu, often pricier than an ordinary dinner. Book two to three weeks ahead for a restaurant with a view, and check: the menu price, drinks included or not, how long you can keep the table, the deposit requested and the cancellation terms. Prices are not always published: do not rely on a figure found on a review site.
Three moods:
- Bosphorus view: glassed-in terraces in Karaköy, Beşiktaş, Ortaköy and villages such as Bebek or Arnavutköy. In February choose a heated room with picture windows rather than a terrace.
- Meyhane and Turkish cooking: friendlier and cheaper than a gala menu, with meze, fish and Roma music in Beyoğlu; see nightlife in Istanbul and fish restaurants.
- Tea and pastry: an afternoon in a historic tea salon, see Istanbul's cafés and tea salons, or a baklava break (Istanbul's pastries).
Walks and visits for two
- The Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi): the tower in the strait off Üsküdar is the city's romantic symbol, with its legend; see the Maiden's Tower page. The sunset can be watched from the Üsküdar waterfront.
- The Galata Tower: the view over the Golden Horn and the strait at dusk; arrive before the queue. See the Galata Tower.
- A ferry ride: the cheapest of the "romantic tours". See the most beautiful ferry rides.
- A sunset: our sunset viewpoints.
- A hammam for two: historic hammams generally have separate hours or separate rooms for men and women; check first: best hammams in Istanbul.
- A night in a charming hotel: the Pera Palace hotel is Beyoğlu's historic address.
For more ideas, our guide Istanbul for couples offers a full stay for two.
Flowers and gifts
Florists charge much higher prices on February 14 than the rest of the year: compare two or three shops, or order the day before. In Beyoğlu, the Balık Pazarı flower market is a good place to buy fresh flowers on weekdays. For typical gifts (ceramics, silk, Turkish delight), see shopping in Istanbul.
Practical tips
- Book the restaurant and hotel early; Valentine's weekend is one of the busiest of the winter.
- Public displays of affection are tolerated in tourist districts, but stay discreet in conservative neighborhoods.
- Watch your belongings in crowds and outside restaurants: see scams and safety in Istanbul.
- For paying and tipping: money, payment and tipping.
