Traveling During Ramadan: What Tourists Need to Know

Traveling to a Muslim-majority country during Ramadan offers a unique cultural experience. If you are planning a trip to destinations like the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, or Turkey soon, you will need to adjust your daily routine. Respecting local customs and knowing where to find daytime meals will ensure a smooth trip.

Understanding Ramadan and Its Impact on Travel

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the dates shift every year. For example, in 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin around February 28 and end around March 29.

During this holy month, observing Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. This means completely abstaining from food, drinking water, smoking, and chewing gum during daylight hours. The entire rhythm of daily life shifts. Mornings are quiet, business hours are shorter, and the cities truly come alive only after the sun goes down. As a tourist, understanding this shift is the first step to enjoying your vacation without unintentionally offending your hosts.

Public Etiquette: The Golden Rules for Tourists

While tourists and non-Muslims are not expected to fast, you are legally and socially required to show respect for those who are fasting.

The most important rule is to avoid eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight hours. In strict destinations like Saudi Arabia or Oman, drinking a bottle of water on the street can result in a warning or a fine from local authorities. Even in more relaxed tourist destinations, taking a sip of water in front of someone who has not had a drink for 12 hours is considered poor etiquette.

You should also pay close attention to your dress code. While countries like the UAE are generally liberal with tourist clothing, Ramadan calls for modesty. Both men and women should wear clothes that cover their shoulders and knees when visiting public places like malls, souks, or museums. Keep public displays of affection to an absolute minimum, and avoid playing loud music from your phone or car, as Ramadan is a time for quiet reflection.

Finding Food During Fasting Hours

A common worry for travelers is that they will go hungry during the day. Fortunately, finding food is relatively easy if you know where to look.

Hotel restaurants are your best resource. Major global brands like Marriott, Hilton, and Fairmont keep their main dining rooms open for breakfast and lunch to accommodate international guests. Historically, these restaurants placed thick curtains over their windows to block the view of food from fasting guests. However, regulations are softening in major hubs. In 2021, Dubai officially changed its laws to allow restaurants to serve food openly during the day without requiring screens or curtains.

If you want to eat on a budget or prefer to dine in your Airbnb, grocery stores operate normally. Supermarket chains like Carrefour, Spinneys, and Waitrose remain open all day. You can buy groceries and eat them in the privacy of your room. Additionally, food delivery apps like UberEats, Deliveroo, and Talabat run at full capacity during Ramadan. Delivery drivers simply drop the food off at your door.

Regional differences matter. If you are in Istanbul, Turkey, many street cafes will still operate normally and serve tourists openly. If you are in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, you will need to rely heavily on room service and specific open hotel outlets until sunset.

The Magic of Iftar and Suhoor

The best part of traveling during Ramadan is taking part in the evening traditions. The fast is broken at sunset with a meal called Iftar. Traditionally, this starts with eating a few dates and drinking laban (a yogurt drink), followed by a massive feast.

Tourists are highly encouraged to join Iftar events. Luxury hotels build massive, heavily decorated “Iftar tents” specifically for this purpose. The Atlantis The Palm in Dubai and the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi host world-famous Iftar buffets featuring grilled meats, fresh mezze, and traditional sweets like baklava. You will need to make reservations in advance, as locals and expats book these tables weeks ahead of time.

Later in the night, around 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM, you can experience Suhoor. This is the pre-dawn meal before the fasting begins again. Cafes and restaurants stay packed late into the night, filled with families drinking tea, playing board games, and eating light meals.

Adjusting Your Itinerary: Business Hours and Traffic

You will need to adjust your sightseeing schedule. Government offices, banks, and many museums operate on reduced hours, often closing by 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM. Always check the official website of any tourist attraction before taking a taxi there.

Traffic patterns also change dramatically. You should completely avoid driving or looking for a taxi in the hour right before sunset. The roads become chaotic as people rush home from work to break their fast with their families. Apps like Uber or Careem will surge in price and wait times will spike. Once the sun sets, the streets become eerily quiet for about an hour while everyone eats.

To make up for the quiet days, shopping malls stay open incredibly late. The Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates typically extend their hours until 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM during Ramadan.

Preparing for Eid al-Fitr

Ramadan concludes with a major three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr. This is a massive public holiday marked by fireworks, family gatherings, and gift-giving. If your trip overlaps with Eid, expect the atmosphere to be electric. However, this is also peak travel time for locals. Beaches will be packed, theme parks will have long lines, and hotel prices will surge. Book your flights on airlines like Qatar Airways or Emirates well in advance, as seats sell out quickly for the Eid holiday week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink water in public if it is very hot? In most Middle Eastern countries, you should not drink water in public spaces during daylight hours. If you need a drink, step into a private restroom, your hotel room, or a designated dining area.

Can I wear a swimsuit at the beach during Ramadan? Yes. Private hotel beaches and swimming pools operate normally, and you can wear standard swimwear. However, you should cover up completely before walking through the hotel lobby or exiting the resort.

Is alcohol served during Ramadan? This depends heavily on the destination. In strict countries, alcohol sales are banned entirely for the month. In tourist-friendly places like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, licensed hotel bars will still serve alcohol to non-Muslims, but usually only after the sun goes down.

Do I have to fast if I am traveling? No. Non-Muslims are not expected or required to fast. Even practicing Muslims are technically exempt from fasting while they are actively traveling long distances, though many choose to do so anyway.