Modern Turkey keeps pretty standard opening hours although shops often stay open particularly late – indeed some keep going all round the clock. Supermarkets usually close at 9pm or 10pm.
The standard working week for offices is Monday to Friday. Supermarket and some shops open seven days a week. Those that don’t usually close on Sundays. On Fridays in some parts of the country shops may close briefly around lunch-time prayers, although often someone is still left to supervise and entertain would-be customers.
Away from the big cities opening hours for shops will depend much more on the whim of the owner.
Banks and offices
Banks and government offices usually open from 8.30 or 9am to 5 or 5.pm, with an hour off for lunch in the middle of the day, some time between noon and 1.30pm depending on the business. They only work Monday to Friday, and on the eve of religious holidays (Ramazan and Kurban Bayramıs) they will have an extra half-day holiday on the preceding day (arife günü).
Museums
Museums are usually open from 8.30 am to 5 pm all year round. Smaller museums tend to close for an hour for lunch some time between noon and 1.30 pm.
Archaeological sites
Archaeological sites tend to open from 8 am to 7 pm in summer, closing at 5 pm in winter. Some but not all close on Mondays. A dwindling number have no ticket office and are open round the clock.
Most museums except the real blockbusters close on Mondays which means that if you’re visiting for a long weekend Friday to Sunday makes a better choice than Saturday to Monday.
İstanbul
The major attractions in İstanbul stagger their closing days to help visitors.
CLOSED
Aya Sofya Monday
Archaeological Museum Monday
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum Monday
Pera Museum Monday
İstanbul Modern Monday
Dolmabahçe Palace Monday
Topkapi Palace Tuesday
Chora Church Wednesday
Grand Bazaar Sunday
