WORKING HOURS

Government offices: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm; 1:30 pm-5:30 pm (Closed Saturday and Sundays, open daily in tourist areas)Banks: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm; 1:30 pm-5:00 pm (Closed Saturday and Sundays, open daily in tourist areas) Shops: 9:30 am - 7:00 pm (In tourist areas, closing times vary, some close around midnight) Covered Bazaar- Istanbul: 8:am - 7:pm (Closed Sundays) Summer hours: In the Aegean and the Mediterranean regions of Turkey, government offices and many other establishments are closed in the afternoon during the summer months. These summer hours are fixed each year by the provincial governors. OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS IN 2004 New Year’s Day January 1 Sacrifice Festival January 31 (1/2 day) to February 4 National Sovereignty and Childrens' Day April 23 Ataturk Commemoration & Youths and Sports Festival May 19 Victory Day August 30 Republic Day October 28 (½ day) to October 29 Ramadan Festival November 13 (½ day) to November 16