Eid al-Adha 2027 in Antalya: Dates and a Mid-May Holiday Plan

Some holidays begin as a line in the calendar and end up as the most anticipated week of a family's year. In 2027, Eid al-Adha, known in Turkey as Kurban Bayramı, is set to be exactly that kind of week on the Turkish Riviera. It falls in the middle of May, when the days grow long on the Mediterranean coast, the sea begins to warm and the gardens are at their greenest. For travellers from the UK, it also sits just before the late May bank holiday and the May half term.

At Kirman Premium, we have brought together everything guests need to plan a mid-May stay in Antalya around this holiday: the exact dates in Turkey, why this particular week will be busier than usual, what the weather and sea are like in May, how the UK calendar lines up, and how families and couples experience the holiday at our five hotels on the coasts of Side and Okurcalar.

Eid al-Adha 2027 Dates in Turkey

Turkey's 2027 holiday calendar gives a clear picture. Because the eve of the festival falls on a Saturday, Turkish families can move straight from the weekend into the holiday without taking extra leave. The festival begins on Sunday morning and ends on Wednesday evening.

In practice, many Turkish households will have five uninterrupted days from Saturday to Wednesday, and those who add two days of annual leave on 20 and 21 May will enjoy nine days, from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 May. Whether the government will declare the Thursday and Friday as administrative leave has not yet been announced. For guests from abroad, the practical point is simple: this is the week when domestic demand on the Antalya coast reaches its first real peak of the 2027 season.

How the UK Calendar Lines Up in May 2027

For British travellers, May 2027 offers two natural windows. The early May bank holiday falls on Monday 3 May, creating a long weekend at the start of the month. The late May bank holiday falls on Monday 31 May, and in many areas the May half term runs from 31 May to 4 June, although exact dates vary by local council. Families planning around Eid will find that the Turkish festival week of 16-19 May sits two weeks before half term, while couples and families with pre-school children can travel in either window.

Why Mid-May 2027 Will Be Unusually Busy

The Antalya coast welcomes guests from Turkey, Germany, the UK and Russia, and when the holiday calendars of these markets overlap, hotel occupancy rises quickly. In 2027, Kurban Bayramı falls right in the middle of such an overlap.

The first day of the festival, Sunday 16 May, is also Pentecost Sunday in Germany, and Whit Monday on 17 May is a public holiday across the country. More importantly, schools in Germany's two southern states break up for Pfingstferien that same week: Baden-Württemberg from 18 to 29 May and Bavaria from 18 to 28 May. In other words, as Turkish families set off for their festival break, families from southern Germany begin a two-week school holiday and head for the Mediterranean too. In Russia, meanwhile, the 2027 May holidays are split into two separate three-day weekends, 1-3 May and 8-10 May, so there is no long May break this year.

For guests, the practical conclusion is that the most comfortable time to decide on a mid-May stay is during the autumn and winter months, when the full room inventory is still open. Our Early Booking Offers page answers the key questions about the 2027 booking window and is where campaign details will be published once announced. The dates and conditions of the 2027 campaign have not yet been confirmed, but noting your preferred dates now makes it easier to act quickly when it opens.

Antalya in Mid-May: Weather and Sea Temperature

May in Antalya brings together the warmth of summer and the lightness of spring. According to long-term statistics from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, the average daily high in May is 25.7°C and the average low is 15.3°C. The coast enjoys an average of 9.7 hours of sunshine a day, with only around five rainy days and roughly 33 mm of rainfall across the month. The festival week therefore promises breakfasts outdoors, afternoons by the pool or on the beach, and evenings in the garden with nothing more than a light layer.

May is also the month when the sea starts to warm. Based on the 1991-2020 climate normals, the average sea temperature in Antalya in May is 21.4°C. As around 20°C is widely regarded as the comfortable threshold for swimming, the sea is inviting for many guests by the middle of the month, and it gets a little warmer with every week that follows. Those curious about the calm rhythm of the early season can read our guide to May in Antalya.

Planning a Mid-May Holiday in Antalya

A well-planned holiday begins with a few good decisions made before departure. The first is your arrival day. Saturday 15 May, the eve of the festival, is likely to be the busiest travel day of the week at Antalya Airport, as many Turkish families set off that day. Guests with flexibility may prefer to arrive a day earlier, or to plan their stay around the quieter days that follow. You will find flight options and transfer times to our hotels in our guide on how to get to Antalya.

The second decision is the area. In Side, Sidemarin and Calyptus sit close to the ancient city and the lively surroundings of Manavgat, ideal for those who want to add culture and exploration to their days. In Okurcalar, Sidera, Arycanda and Leodikya line a calmer, wider stretch of coast, a natural choice for guests who want the hotel to set the rhythm of their holiday. We compare the two areas in detail in our Side vs Alanya guide, and describe the Okurcalar coast in our article on Okurcalar hotels.

The third decision is the room type. Mid-May is a time when large families, three generations travelling together and groups of friends all set off at once, so family rooms and connecting rooms are among the first to go. Confirming your dates, party size and room preferences early makes it much easier to decide once the booking campaign opens. A complimentary transfer for bookings made through our official website is currently available; how this privilege will apply in 2027 will be confirmed with the campaign announcement.

Families considering an earlier arrival may also appreciate one detail: under our Heated Pool for Kichies practice, children's pools are heated to 28°C outside the period from 15 May to 16 October. Families whose holiday starts in April or in the first half of May benefit from this.

For Families: The World of Kichies

A holiday truly becomes a celebration when it is designed through children's eyes. Kirman Premium's family concept, Premium For Kichies, was created with exactly this in mind. The privilege that makes the greatest difference to a family budget is that two children up to 12.99 years stay free. Our family hotels guide explains step by step how it works.

The holiday begins at check-in with the Kichi Kids Bag: a Kichi toy, a child's toothbrush and toothpaste, a colouring book and a set of pencils. In family rooms, the Kichi Bar offers children milk, strawberry milk and fruit juice, while Play & Stay sets up a PlayStation in the family room on request. During the day, children aged 4 to 12 enjoy a programme at the Kichi Kids Club that ranges from robotic coding to ebru marbling art, painting and mini disco, with an RFID tracking necklace giving parents peace of mind. For teenagers, the Fun Club offers PlayStation and popular games.

The place that brings the biggest smiles is often the aquapark. Leodikya's mega aquapark and the aquapark at Calyptus build the holiday around water. If you are wondering which suits your family best, our Calyptus vs Leodikya comparison will help. For families with babies, the Baby Star package keeps many essentials ready at the hotel, from a baby bath and bottle warmer to a pushchair and age-appropriate baby food; details are on our free comfort package for families with babies page.

The mild days of May are also ideal for a short excursion. Guests staying in Side will find the Manavgat Waterfall an easy half-day outing, and families looking for more ideas can browse our guide to places to visit with children in Antalya.

For Couples: Sidera and Premium Honeymoon

Mid-May is not only for families. With its long days, mild evenings and heat that has not yet reached high summer, it is also an elegant time for couples and honeymooners. In Okurcalar, Sidera Kirman Premium, with its private pier, premium atmosphere and romantic, tranquil character, is the natural address for them. An hour spent on the pier at sunset may well become the most memorable moment of the stay.

Our Premium Honeymoon concept shapes these moments with care. With Premium Breakfast, a romantic breakfast of fresh fruit and freshly toasted bread arrives at the door, and Premium Room Service offers honeymoon couples complimentary 24-hour room service on their first day. The Honeymoon Assistant, available 24/7 on WhatsApp, arranges everything from a romantic seaside dinner to a surprise celebration. Through Kirman Premium Forest, a sapling is planted in the name of every honeymoon couple, with a personal certificate sent by email. For room advice, see our Antalya honeymoon guide.

For couples who like to crown a holiday with fine dining, our à la carte restaurants add a special note to the evenings; we introduce our chefs' menus in our gourmet holiday article.

Festival Evenings on the Kirman Premium Stage

At Kirman Premium, the festival continues after sunset. During Kurban Bayramı 2026, concerts were held at all five of our hotels. As part of the 2026 concert programme, on the evenings of 27 and 28 May 2026 Emre Fel performed at Sidera, Aydilge and İkilem at Arycanda and Leodikya, İkilem and Suat Ateşdağlı at Calyptus, and Emrah Karaduman at Sidemarin. We shared the atmosphere of those nights in our holiday concerts news.

The 2027 festival programme and performers have not yet been announced; details will be published in the news section of our official website once confirmed. On other evenings, shows at the amphitheatre, long conversations in the gardens and, for guests in Side, a stroll through the stone streets of the ancient city set the natural rhythm of the week. Our Side travel guide is a good place to start.

Which Hotel for a Mid-May Stay?

Each of our five hotels brings its own character to the week. Whether you are travelling as a large family, with a baby or as a couple looking for a quiet escape is the question that decides the choice. Below are the three options guests ask about most for this week; to see all five side by side, our hotel comparison guide offers a complete overview.

Okurcalar

Leodikya Kirman Premium

Mega aquapark - Check24 award winner - Family rooms

A strong choice for families spending the week with their children. Its mega aquapark and children's areas build the holiday around water.

Explore the Hotel →

Side

Calyptus Kirman Premium

Aquapark - Cinema hall - Families with children

Stands out for families planning a stay in Side. The aquapark is the favourite by day and the cinema hall by evening.

Learn More →

Okurcalar

Sidera Kirman Premium

Premium - Private pier - Romantic and tranquil

A natural choice for couples and honeymooners seeking a quiet escape for two. Its private pier is the stage for the sunset hours.

Discover Now →

Family-friendly Sidemarin Kirman Premium, within walking distance of ancient Side, suits families who like to extend their evenings in the historic streets, while Arycanda Kirman Premium, renewed in 2024-2025 and set in the heart of nature, is well worth considering for a green, peaceful stay on the Okurcalar coast. To see how our hotels prepare for each season, read about the opening of the 2026 season on 1 April in our new season news; the opening date for 2027 has not yet been announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Eid al-Adha 2027 in Turkey?

According to Turkey's official Diyanet calendar, the eve falls on Saturday 15 May 2027 and the festival runs from Sunday 16 May to Wednesday 19 May 2027. The fourth day coincides with 19 May, Turkey's Youth and Sports Day.

When are the UK bank holidays and half term in May 2027?

The early May bank holiday is Monday 3 May and the late May bank holiday is Monday 31 May 2027. In many areas the May half term runs from 31 May to 4 June, although dates vary by local council.

Why is mid-May 2027 so busy in Antalya?

Kurban Bayramı 2027 falls in the same week as Pentecost in Germany. Schools in Baden-Württemberg are on holiday from 18 to 29 May and in Bavaria from 18 to 28 May, so Turkish and German families travel at the same time and family rooms may sell out early.

What is the weather and sea like in Antalya in May?

According to the Turkish State Meteorological Service, the average daily high in Antalya in May is 25.7°C and the average low is 15.3°C. The average sea temperature is 21.4°C, which makes mid-May well suited to swimming in the sea and the pool.

Do children stay free at Kirman Premium?

Under Premium For Kichies, two children up to 12.99 years stay free. The child policy for the 2027 campaign period will be confirmed with the early booking campaign announcement.

If you are considering a mid-May 2027 stay on the Antalya coast, simply share your dates and wishes with us. Once the campaign conditions are announced, we can find the most suitable option together. All our hotels and latest news are on our home page.

Photos: Kirman Premium archive.