We were in Morocco in March 2024 and enjoyed the trip enormously during Ramadan in part thanks to Chris Morrison who could make an adventure out of a trip to the principal’s office. People were gracious everywhere despite their fatigue and fasting. It is uncomfortable to eat and drink in front of people who are unable to do so.
The Casablanca hotel allowed no alcohol in public and had no bar; the one in Fes had a beautiful bar with a wonderful view but it wasn’t open. Of course one can have alcohol in one’s room but if wine with dinner is part of your enjoyment that isn’t always possible. It wasn’t onerous, though. The private Tauck dinners had wine available.
Possibly the souks were less crowded than would have been otherwise, not a bad thing. Some shops were closed outside the old markets as were some coffee shops and some restaurants. On the whole it wasn’t an issue for us. We had a wonderful small group of travelers. It was special to be in Morocco during such an important observance and to appreciate the commitment to their religious practice. The people, the culture, the architecture and history are great. Given the option, however, we would choose to go outside Ramadan to have the full Moroccan experience. But given no option we would not hesitate to travel there again during that time.
I would avoid Ramadan. We were in Dubai during Ramadan and it was a ghost town. We did not see what the area was really like at all. We had to wait until after sundown for the excursion in the desert to start serving food. It was just a 2 night stop over that Emirates allows for their connecting flights.
I was in Egypt during Ramadan but don't remember any drawbacks because of it, perhaps I was there at the last tail of it and also it was many moons ago 2007.
I've been in Dubai & Egypt during Ramadan time, local privately own stores may close, malls don't, tourist sight are open and the main thing you have to be respectful it's eating in public areas. The rest. and hotels will cover the eating areas for tourist to eat without disturbing the locals, they fast till sunset. Also, some mosque may be close to the public.
Main Mosques like the Abu Dhabi will be open to public.
We were on the tour during Ramadan, April 2023, and it did not affect our fabulous time one bit. Our tour director was Chris Morrison ( absolutely the tops) who contacted us all ahead of time telling us of the liquor situation during the holiday. We were traveling with 7 people and divided up liquor assignments in duty free. We had nightly cocktail parties in our rooms or on our room terraces. It was a blast! We also had happy hours on the bus. Our tour was timed such that we were there for the end of Ramadan so we got to experience Eid, which was joyous. The markets were buzzing with excitement and everything was alive. The weather was absolutely perfect. The holiday did not affect our excellent time at all.
Part of our decision about the best time to go had to do with the weather. The country did not seem to be remotely asleep during the day….Completely get your perspective, Sealord. You lived there! We did a curated tour where we stayed at beautiful, high end hotels. No one we had contact with on any part of the trip seemed unhappy. I am sure the tour is set up with that in mind. 🤷🏻♀️
MotherOfPoodles - How wonderful that you were able to experience some of the traditions and joyous events of the Islamic Holy Days. Thanks for sharing.
SeaLord did not live in Morocco, it’s not the same. Morocco, I am sure is more geared up and relies on tourists I think we might have been in Zanzibar years ago during some of Ramadan. Our Tauck directors made sure we understood to be respectful. We head to Morocco next year.
I have spent a lot of time in Bahrain as well which is totally different than Saudi Arabia. Bahrain has bars, entertainment, women wear bikinis at the pool, and they are allowed to swim in the pool. Morocco sounds like it is more like Bahrain.
Comments
Here's what another traveler posted about that - https://awaywiththesteiners.com/ramadan-in-morocco/
Our TD on Spain and Portugal also does Morocco. When I asked her the best time to go, she said any time other than Ramadan.
Ramadan is the entire month of March in 2025. We go on April 1st
I’ve been through Ramadan in Saudi Ariabia a couple times. I would not recommend it.
We were in Morocco in March 2024 and enjoyed the trip enormously during Ramadan in part thanks to Chris Morrison who could make an adventure out of a trip to the principal’s office. People were gracious everywhere despite their fatigue and fasting. It is uncomfortable to eat and drink in front of people who are unable to do so.
The Casablanca hotel allowed no alcohol in public and had no bar; the one in Fes had a beautiful bar with a wonderful view but it wasn’t open. Of course one can have alcohol in one’s room but if wine with dinner is part of your enjoyment that isn’t always possible. It wasn’t onerous, though. The private Tauck dinners had wine available.
Possibly the souks were less crowded than would have been otherwise, not a bad thing. Some shops were closed outside the old markets as were some coffee shops and some restaurants. On the whole it wasn’t an issue for us. We had a wonderful small group of travelers. It was special to be in Morocco during such an important observance and to appreciate the commitment to their religious practice. The people, the culture, the architecture and history are great. Given the option, however, we would choose to go outside Ramadan to have the full Moroccan experience. But given no option we would not hesitate to travel there again during that time.
Augrl - How enriching to experience another culture as its populace observe the traditions of their high holy days. Thanks for sharing.
I would avoid Ramadan. We were in Dubai during Ramadan and it was a ghost town. We did not see what the area was really like at all. We had to wait until after sundown for the excursion in the desert to start serving food. It was just a 2 night stop over that Emirates allows for their connecting flights.
I was in Egypt during Ramadan but don't remember any drawbacks because of it, perhaps I was there at the last tail of it and also it was many moons ago 2007.
I've been in Dubai & Egypt during Ramadan time, local privately own stores may close, malls don't, tourist sight are open and the main thing you have to be respectful it's eating in public areas. The rest. and hotels will cover the eating areas for tourist to eat without disturbing the locals, they fast till sunset. Also, some mosque may be close to the public.
Main Mosques like the Abu Dhabi will be open to public.
We were able to move our reservation to February instead
We were on the tour during Ramadan, April 2023, and it did not affect our fabulous time one bit. Our tour director was Chris Morrison ( absolutely the tops) who contacted us all ahead of time telling us of the liquor situation during the holiday. We were traveling with 7 people and divided up liquor assignments in duty free. We had nightly cocktail parties in our rooms or on our room terraces. It was a blast! We also had happy hours on the bus. Our tour was timed such that we were there for the end of Ramadan so we got to experience Eid, which was joyous. The markets were buzzing with excitement and everything was alive. The weather was absolutely perfect. The holiday did not affect our excellent time at all.
Part of our decision about the best time to go had to do with the weather. The country did not seem to be remotely asleep during the day….Completely get your perspective, Sealord. You lived there! We did a curated tour where we stayed at beautiful, high end hotels. No one we had contact with on any part of the trip seemed unhappy. I am sure the tour is set up with that in mind. 🤷🏻♀️
MotherOfPoodles - How wonderful that you were able to experience some of the traditions and joyous events of the Islamic Holy Days. Thanks for sharing.
I went through my shots… I did find one person sleeping!,,,,
SeaLord did not live in Morocco, it’s not the same. Morocco, I am sure is more geared up and relies on tourists I think we might have been in Zanzibar years ago during some of Ramadan. Our Tauck directors made sure we understood to be respectful. We head to Morocco next year.
I have spent a lot of time in Bahrain as well which is totally different than Saudi Arabia. Bahrain has bars, entertainment, women wear bikinis at the pool, and they are allowed to swim in the pool. Morocco sounds like it is more like Bahrain.