Hotels in Edirne have reached full occupancy ahead of the annual Kakava and Hıdırellez festivities, one of Türkiye’s most vibrant spring celebrations, as tens of thousands of visitors are expected to descend on the northwestern city on May 5-6.
Recognized by UNESCO in 2017 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity through a joint nomination by Türkiye and North Macedonia, Kakava and Hıdırellez mark the arrival of spring and are widely celebrated as a symbolic renewal of life, prosperity and hope.
Preparations are already underway across the historic city, where residents dressed in traditional attire have begun parading through the streets accompanied by drums and woodwind instruments, inviting locals and visitors to join the festivities.
Sector representative Gökhan Balta said the city’s accommodation sector had effectively sold out, with occupancy rates nearing 100 percent.
“As the hospitality sector, all of our hotels are full. We have exceeded Edirne’s accommodation capacity and expect an intense two-day period,” Balta said, estimating that around 60,000 visitors would attend the celebrations this year.
He noted that if the festival dates had coincided with a weekend, visitor numbers could have surpassed 100,000.
Balta said hotel room prices remained relatively moderate despite the surge in demand, ranging between 2,000 and 6,000 Turkish Liras ($44-$133), adding that bookings had already closed.
He also emphasized that extensive security and traffic arrangements had been put in place, saying the festival has evolved into a safer and more organized event over the past decade.
Local tourism and business representatives say the festival traditionally signals the start of Edirne’s tourism season, bringing a major economic boost to hotels, restaurants and the city’s famed culinary trade, particularly its signature fried liver dish.
