Traveling to Morocco during Ramadan offers the opportunity to discover the country at a time when the daily rhythm differs from the rest of the year. The days are generally calmer, some activities shift their schedules, and after sunset, the streets, cafes, and shops gradually regain a very special vibrancy.
For a tourist, Ramadan doesn't prevent them from visiting the country, eating, drinking, or engaging in their usual activities. It mainly requires a little planning ahead regarding restaurants, opening hours, transportation , and some basic etiquette.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. During this period, fasting Muslims abstain from eating and drinking between dawn and sunset.
At the end of the day, the fast is broken with a meal called ftour or iftar. In Morocco, this is an important moment in family and social life.
The month ends with Eid al-Fitr , one of the main religious holidays in the Moroccan calendar.
The dates of Ramadan change every year.
Because the Muslim calendar is lunar, Ramadan does not fall on the same dates in the Western calendar from one year to the next.
It usually starts about ten to eleven days earlier each year . The dates announced well in advance remain indicative, as the beginning and end of the month are confirmed according to the religious calendar and lunar observation.
If your trip is close to the beginning or end of Ramadan, check the dates a few days before your departure.
Should a tourist observe Ramadan?
No. Foreign travelers are not required to fast, and tourist establishments continue to welcome their clients.
You can eat and drink during the day, including in your hotel, riad, or open restaurants.
The main difference lies in the way it is done. In a street heavily frequented by people who are fasting, it is best to avoid eating, drinking or smoking conspicuously in public during the day.
It is not about completely changing your trip, but simply about adopting an attitude that respects the local context.
Are the restaurants open during the day?
Yes, but the situation varies greatly depending on the city, the neighborhood, and the type of establishment.
In major tourist destinations such as Marrakech, Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Essaouira or Tangier , hotels and many restaurants catering to travellers generally continue to serve meals during the day.
However, some establishments may open later, reduce their menu or remain closed until late afternoon.
In small towns, villages and less touristy areas, it can be much more difficult to find a restaurant open at the usual lunchtime.
Pack your lunch before going on your excursion
This point is particularly important during a road trip or excursion in a rural area.
If you are leaving a large city to cross the Atlas Mountains, a valley or a desert region, do not automatically assume that you will find a restaurant open at noon in the next village.
You can ask your accommodation to prepare a picnic, buy water and some food before you leave, or check in advance where you can have lunch.
A bottle of water and some supplies in the car also help avoid having to change your entire itinerary because the establishments you encounter are closed.
If you are planning a road trip, also check out our guide Renting a car in Morocco: everything you need to know before driving .
The iftar: the moment when the rhythm changes completely
As sunset approaches, activity can slow down considerably. Everyone is trying to get home or to the place where they will have iftar.
For a few dozen minutes around the breaking of the fast, some streets can become surprisingly quiet compared to the rest of the day.
Then activity gradually resumes. Cafes fill up, families go out, shops reopen or stay open later, and some medinas regain a particularly lively atmosphere.
This is one of the interesting features of traveling to Morocco during this period: life shifts more towards the evening .
What do we eat at the time of iftar?
The meal to break the fast varies according to families and regions, but several foods are frequently used.
Among the items found are harira , a Moroccan soup particularly associated with Ramadan, dates, eggs, bread, Moroccan pancakes, honey, and various pastries.
Chebakia , a pastry made with honey and sesame, is also closely linked to this period.
Ramadan can therefore be an excellent opportunity to discover specialties that are less commonly found at other times of the year.
Is it possible to participate in an iftar?
Yes, if your hotel, hostel, riad or a family offers to share this moment with you.
This is often one of the most interesting experiences of a stay during Ramadan.
Some accommodations even offer a special menu or buffet at the time of Iftar. If this interests you, inquire when booking or upon arrival.
Obviously, you do not need to have fasted during the day to participate in the meal if you are invited.
Be mindful of restaurant opening hours in the evening
The fact that restaurants are more active after sunset does not necessarily mean that they immediately serve their usual menu.
Some establishments start by serving iftar and then resume a regular service later in the evening.
If you wish to dine at a specific time, especially in a particular restaurant, check its opening hours and book if necessary.
Do shops close during Ramadan?
Morocco does not stop during Ramadan. Shops, souks, supermarkets and other businesses continue to operate.
Their opening hours may vary. Some open later in the morning, close temporarily in the late afternoon, or extend their business hours after Iftar.
In the medinas and shopping districts, the atmosphere can become particularly lively in the evening.
For a major purchase or a visit to a specific shop, simply avoid blindly relying on the hours displayed on the Internet during Ramadan.
What happens just before sunset?
The period immediately preceding iftar is probably the one that requires the most anticipation.
Many people finish work and are trying to get home before breaking their fast. As a result, traffic may become heavier on some roads.
Drivers, shopkeepers and employees may also be more tired after a day without food or water.
If you are driving, it is best to adopt a particularly calm driving style and not to plan too tight a schedule at this time of day.
Driving during Ramadan
There are no particular difficulties in getting around in Morocco during Ramadan, but the pace of traffic can change depending on the time of day.
In the late afternoon, allow extra time to reach your accommodation. Around the time of Iftar, some urban roads can become much quieter, albeit temporarily.
At night, activity resumes and can continue later than usual.
For long journeys, it is still preferable to arrive before nightfall, especially in mountainous or rural areas.
Are the trains and buses running normally?
Public transport continues to operate during Ramadan.
However, the schedules can be adjusted and certain periods see higher traffic, particularly when a large number of people travel to see their families.
As Eid al-Fitr approaches, trains and coaches may be in particularly high demand.
If your journey is important for the rest of your trip, check the timetables and book your ticket in advance when booking is possible.
To organize a trip without a vehicle, consult our guide Travelling in Morocco without a car: how to get around?
Are tourist sites still open?
Major tourist attractions don't close simply because it's Ramadan.
However, working hours may be shortened or modified , particularly to allow staff to finish their day before iftar.
This can apply to museums, monuments, gardens and other sites with fixed opening hours.
Before planning a late afternoon visit, check the time of the last entry rather than relying solely on the usual non-Ramadan hours.
Is it better to visit in the morning?
For monuments, museums and cultural visits, the morning is often a good choice.
Temperatures may be more pleasant depending on the season, employees and guides are generally less advanced in their fasting day, and you avoid any potential schedule changes in the late afternoon.
You can then reserve the end of the day for a more leisurely stroll before discovering the evening atmosphere.
Are the excursions and tour guides still working?
Yes. Tourist activities do not stop during Ramadan.
A guide, driver or tour leader who is fasting may, however, slightly adjust the pace of the day or wish to finish an excursion early enough to return home at the time of iftar.
When you book a private tour, simply discuss the schedule with the provider.
An earlier start in the morning often allows you to complete exactly the same program while respecting everyone's pace.
Is it safe to drink water while hiking?
Yes. A traveler who is not fasting must continue to drink enough, especially during a hike, a desert excursion, or on a hot day.
You shouldn't jeopardize your health just to avoid drinking in front of other people.
In normal urban situations, a little discretion is sufficient. During physical activity or when the heat requires it, hydrate normally.
How should one behave during Ramadan?
No complicated rules are necessary for a visitor.
A few habits are all it takes:
- avoid eating or drinking conspicuously in a crowd during the day when it is not necessary;
- avoid smoking in front of people who are fasting;
- accept that some schedules may be more flexible than usual;
- respect those who go to prayer;
- adopt an outfit appropriate to the place visited, particularly in religious or traditional places;
- ask before photographing a person or a family scene related to Ramadan.
However, this does not mean adopting artificial behavior or being afraid of doing something inappropriate at every moment.
The same principles of respect that apply to the rest of the journey remain valid during Ramadan.
For other practical situations, also consult our guide The pitfalls to avoid in Morocco: tips for traveling with peace of mind .
Is the pace of work changing?
Yes, in many companies and administrations, working hours are adjusted during Ramadan.
For a traveler, this is most noticeable when they need to complete an administrative procedure, contact a company, or use a service with office hours.
If you have an important task to complete, generally opt for the morning and check the opening hours before you travel.
Be aware of the time change during Ramadan
Morocco normally uses GMT+1 time for most of the year.
During Ramadan, the country temporarily switches back to GMT , then returns to GMT+1 after the month of fasting.
This change is particularly important for travellers with a flight, train, reservation or transfer scheduled around the time change.
Connected smartphones normally adjust the time automatically, but check it manually if you are using a phone in airplane mode or a non-connected watch.
Does Ramadan change the atmosphere of cities?
Yes, and that's probably the most interesting aspect for a traveler.
During the day, some streets may seem quieter than at other times. In the late afternoon, activity increases around bakeries, pastry shops, and markets as locals prepare their evening meals.
At the time of iftar, the city can suddenly become very quiet.
A few hours later, the terraces, cafes, squares and shopping streets come back to life and the festivities can continue late into the evening.
What to discover in the evening during Ramadan?
A walk after iftar allows you to observe a Morocco very different from that of the day.
In large cities and medinas, families are going out again, cafes are filling up and shops are allowed to stay open later.
Pastry shops offer many specialties associated with Ramadan and some restaurants organize specific meals.
In Marrakech in particular, the area around Jemaa el-Fna becomes very active again after the breaking of the fast.
Should we plan to carry more cash?
Ramadan does not fundamentally change the means of payment in Morocco.
However, it is still useful to have some dirhams on hand, especially for small purchases in markets, pastry shops, taxis or local businesses.
If you wish to better prepare this aspect of the trip, consult our guide Money in Morocco: cash, bank card, currency exchange and ATMs — how to pay?
What happens at the end of Ramadan?
The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr .
This is an important family and religious holiday. The days surrounding Eid may therefore lead to increased travel between cities and changes in opening hours for businesses, government offices and public transport.
If your trip coincides precisely with this period, check transport options in advance and avoid leaving an important reservation at the last minute.
Some businesses may close or operate differently on Eid day, while business gradually resumes afterwards.
Ramadan and arrival at the airport
Airports of course continue to operate normally during Ramadan.
If your flight arrives shortly before iftar, simply expect that traffic and some services may follow a particular rhythm at this time.
A pre-booked transfer can be convenient after a late flight or when arrival coincides precisely with breaking the fast.
To prepare for your first few hours in the country, consult our guide Arriving in Morocco: what to do when leaving the airport?
Is this a good time to travel to Morocco?
Yes, provided we accept that the country operates at a slightly different pace.
Tourist visits remain possible, accommodations are welcoming their guests and the main activities continue as normal.
The main change concerns the organization of the day: it may be useful to plan visits in the morning, to anticipate lunch more and to avoid the busiest travel just before iftar.
In return, Ramadan allows one to discover a social and cultural dimension of Morocco that travelers present at other times do not see in the same way.
Some tips for organizing your day
- Visit monuments and museums in the morning whenever possible.
- Check the opening hours of the sites on the day itself.
- Plan to have lunch in advance in small towns and rural areas.
- Keep water with you during excursions.
- Avoid a long road journey with an imperative arrival just before iftar.
- Check train and bus schedules.
- Take advantage of the evening to discover the special atmosphere of the cities during Ramadan.
- Check the local time if your stay coincides with the time change.
Should Morocco be avoided during Ramadan?
No. For the majority of travellers, there is no reason to systematically avoid this period.
A stay simply requires a little more flexibility regarding meals and schedules, especially in small towns and rural areas.
By understanding the rhythm of Ramadan and slightly adapting the organization of your days, it is quite possible to travel normally while discovering a particularly important period in Moroccan life.
