School Families in 2027: Two 9-Day Breaks in March and May

Every year you open the calendar and think the same thing, don’t you? "School, our annual leave, the bayram holidays… if only they all landed in the same week for once." Good news: 2027 is that year. In March, the schools’ mid-term break overlaps with the bayram, and in May the bayram falls in the same week as 19 May. A family that plans a little ahead can enjoy two uninterrupted nine-day breaks in a single spring. In this guide we walk through the dates one by one, work out how many days of leave you will need, and suggest easy routes for both breaks with children. A day spent among the calm bays of the Mediterranean on a Kekova boat tour is one of the most enjoyable of them.

Why Is the 2027 Calendar So Valuable for School Families?

According to the Ministry of National Education’s 2026-2027 school calendar, the second-term mid-term break runs from Monday 8 March to Friday 12 March. According to the Presidency of Religious Affairs, Eid al-Fitr 2027 (Ramazan Bayramı) begins with its eve on Monday 8 March and covers 9-11 March. In other words, the mid-term week almost completely overlaps with the bayram.

May looks similar. For Eid al-Adha 2027 (Kurban Bayramı), the eve falls on Saturday 15 May and the holiday itself on 16-19 May. The last day of the bayram coincides with 19 May, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. There is one important detail here: two public holidays falling on the same day do not add an extra day off. So when planning your Bayram holiday 2027, March and May need to be approached differently.

Nine Days in March: Mid-Term Break and Bayram in the Same Week

Dates and Leave Planning

For children the picture is simple: no school for nine days from Saturday 6 March to Sunday 14 March, without missing a single class. For working parents the maths goes like this: take the morning of the 8 March eve and Friday 12 March off, and with just a day and a half of leave you can spend nine days on holiday with the family. If an administrative leave decision is announced for public employees, the leave you need may shrink even further, so keep an eye on official announcements.

Where to Go in March?

March on the Mediterranean coast brings mild days while the sea is still cool. It is better suited to sightseeing and walking than swimming. The streets of Antalya’s Kaleiçi, the rock tombs of Myra, the little harbour of Kaş and the short sections of the Lycian Way that even children can walk all suit this season well. Fitting family visits into the first two days of the bayram and setting off mid-week lets you see your elders and avoid the heaviest traffic. If the weather is kind, a short boat trip is possible too; just don’t forget a windbreaker and a change of clothes.

Nine Days in May: Eid al-Adha Meets 19 May

Dates and Leave Planning

The official holiday runs for five days, from Saturday 15 May to Wednesday 19 May. If you take Thursday 20 and Friday 21 May off, you get a nine-day break from 15 to 23 May. But note: as of October 2026 there is no official decision to extend this holiday to nine days, and schools are normally open on 20-21 May. If no extension is announced, your children will miss two days of school. For families who would rather avoid that, a five-day plan from 15 to 19 May is still very satisfying.

Why Kekova in May?

May is one of the loveliest times on the Mediterranean. The sea has started to warm up, and the bays have not yet given way to summer crowds. A Kekova boat tour departing from Üçağız, in Antalya’s Demre district, promises children a day that is both fun and educational. Off the shore of Kekova Island, the remains of an ancient settlement partly swallowed by the sea after earthquakes centuries ago can be made out beneath the clear water. Stair steps, house foundations and harbour traces bring the Lycian history from schoolbooks to life before your children’s eyes.

Another stop on the trip is Kaleköy, known in antiquity as Simena. The short climb to the hilltop castle, the Lycian sarcophagus at the water’s edge and the village’s stone houses are among the most photographed sights of the day. Because the sunken remains are protected, swimming over them is not allowed; swimming breaks are given in quiet bays set aside for that purpose.

💡 Captain Ergun’s Tip: During bayram week the boats fill up sooner than anyone expects, so book your place a few weeks in advance. For children prone to seasickness, keep breakfast light and have them sit in the middle of the boat. A hat, sunscreen and water shoes should definitely be in your bag.

Practical Planning for Bayram Week

Book Your Accommodation Early

Because every school family aims for the same dates, coastal hotels and guesthouses fill up quickly during the March and May bayram weeks. Now that the dates are known, booking during the winter months gives you an advantage in both choice and budget.

Plan Your Route Around Bayram Traffic

Roads are at their busiest on the eve and on the last day of the bayram. If possible, set off a day early or leave your return for the weekend after the bayram. On long drives, take a break every two hours for the children.

Balance the Bayram and the Holiday

Eid al-Fitr 2027 and Eid al-Adha 2027 are also a good chance to combine family visits with a holiday. Visiting your elders in the first days and spending the rest resting meets both tradition and the children’s need for a break.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days off will students have in March 2027?

Because the second-term mid-term break (8-12 March) overlaps with Eid al-Fitr, students will have nine days off, including weekends, from 6 to 14 March.

Will the Bayram holiday 2027 in May be nine days?

As of October 2026 there is no official extension. The official holiday is 15-19 May; taking leave on 20-21 May turns it into nine days.

Is a Kekova boat tour suitable for children?

Yes. The bays are sheltered, distances are short and the route combines history with swimming. A life jacket and sun protection for children are all you need.

Which month is better for Kekova?

If you want to swim, May is the better choice. March offers a quiet, cool, sightseeing-focused experience; boat departures depend on the weather.

Plan Your Spring 2027 Now

2027 is a rare year for school families. In March, children get nine days off without missing a single school day, and you can join them with just a day and a half of leave. In May, another nine days is possible with two days of leave, as long as you keep the school calendar and official decisions in mind. Mark the dates in your calendar, sort out accommodation early and give your children a day they will never forget this spring: book your place now on a Kekova boat tour that glides over the sunken city and climbs to Simena castle.