Turkey is a secular country, and even though the majority of the Turkish population is Muslim, the consumption of alcohol both in public and in private is very common.
WHAT DOES THE QURAN SAY ABOUT ALCOHOL? Drinking alcohol is considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam. As proof of the prohibition, Islamic scholars and Muslim religious authorities typically point to a verse in the Quran, the Muslim holy book, that calls intoxicants “the work of Satan” and tells believers to avoid them.
Yes, alcohol consumption is legal in Turkey. Who can buy alcohol in Istanbul? Everyone older than 18 years old can purchase alcohol in Turkey.
Can You Drink Alcohol in Ramadan in Turkey? During Ramadan, even Muslim drinkers stop consuming drinking Beer, wine, Raki or any kind of alcoholic spirit during the Month. But this only concerns muslims. As a tourist/foreigner you can buy and drink alcohol in your hotel room or in a restaurant that serves alcohol.
Meet raki -- otherwise known as Lion's Milk -- the Turkish national drink made of twice-distilled grapes and aniseed. Raki is serious business in Turkey. It's the go-to spirit for celebrating a promotion or a birthday or for muting the pain of a job loss or the end of a relationship.
It is important that you should not mix or chase Raki with other alcoholic spirits like beer to avoid getting drunk faster. It is very traditional to chase Rakı with mineral water, turnip juice, or Turkish tea. It is a good idea that you don't gulp down your Rakı but instead get drunk slowly to savor each sip.
More than 90% of the Turkish population is muslim, whom are not allowed to eat pork for religious reasons. Pigmeat in Turkey is sold to ethnic minorities like Greeks, ex-patriots and tourists. In addition, pork is increasingly popular in secular high society.
Alcohol can be sold in markets only between 6 am and 10 pm, but there is no time limit in restaurants, bars, etc. Student dormitories, health institutions, sports clubs, education institutions and some filling stations are prohibited from selling alcohol.
Alcoholic drinks
Alcoholic beverages are still widely available, however, especially in the big cities of western Turkey and all resort areas.
Although Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, it has a rich drinking culture and produces a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and raki, the country's signature spirit.
Getting Your PDA On
Turkey is a largely Muslim population and showing your affection in public can sometimes be frowned upon, especially in the more traditional neighborhoods. Make sure to keep your amorous moments private so that you don't have to deal with unhappy stares.
Smoking is banned in all indoor areas including cafes, restaurants, hotels (it may be allowed in the hotel room), bars and on public transport as well as in the gardens of mosques and hospitals. It is sometimes banned at certain outdoor public events, for example artistic, cultural or sports events.
Sure. Turkey does not have shariah law, and you can absolutely kiss, hug, hold hands, whatever. I wouldn't suggest going too much further in public though, as it might irritate/offend some of the more religious folk.
Qatar, which like Saudi Arabia follows an ultraconservative version of Islam known as Wahhabism, has strict limits on the purchase and consumption of alcohol, though its sale has been permitted in hotel bars for years.
A tobacco fatwa is a fatwa (Islamic legal pronouncement) that prohibits the usage of tobacco by Muslims. Arab Muslims tend to prohibit smoking (despite Saudi Arabia ranking 23rd in the world for the percentage of its population that smokes) and, in South Asia, smoking tends to be considered lawful but discouraged.
The majority of Sunni Muslims believe tattooing is a sin, because it involves changing the natural creation of God, inflicting unnecessary pain in the process. Tattoos are classified as dirty things, which is prohibited in Islam.
Can I stay with my girlfriend in a hotel in Istanbul? Yes, it is forbidden to ask if you are married or not in Turkey. Of course you can share the room with your loved one!
Yes you can drink beer on the streets no problem. No one will bother you and it is not against the law. You can also wear shorts anytime you like as much as you like.
In Turkey, you can buy alcohol at most supermarkets and markets such as Macro Center, Metro, Migros, and Carrefour. You will not find alcoholic drinks such as wines and beers at Şok, A1010, or Bim as they are considered halal supermarkets.
Turkey is a great place to enjoy nightlife and the three most popular places where you can find the best lineup of bars and nightclubs are Istanbul, Bodrum Resort and Marmaris.
Legal age for consumption of alcohol in Turkey
The lower limit to the age for the purchase of alcohol is 18.
In the larger cities there are always restaurants open all day for your needs and for the needs of Turks who do not observe the fast. In small towns, it's best to be prepared with your own picnic lunch and drinks in case the few local eateries are closed for lack of customers.
Believers never eat the meat of snakes, frogs, mice, scorpions, crows or magpies. Donkeys and mules are also haram, while horsemeat is considered mekruh — not forbidden but considered abominable. The milk of both horses and donkeys is haram. Other animals considered haram are pigs, turtles and elephants.
Pork is not widely available in Turkey because most Turks are Muslims and cannot eat it but there are places that sell it. Pork and bacon products are available in certain high-end supermarkets such as Macro, CarrefourSA, or Migros but you will not find pork in a regular butcher shop or served in restaurants.
Rice is used extensively in Turkish cuisine. It is featured in many of the stuffed meat and vegetable dishes as well as being served as pilaf, and Turkish people have very high standards for its preparation. A great-tasting pilav is proof of a Turkish housewife's good cooking skills.