In this guide
Yes, you can travel in Morocco during Ramadan, and it can be a wonderful time to visit. Ramadan 2027 is expected to run from around 8 February to 9 March, depending on the moon sighting. Hotels, riads, monuments and tours carry on, but daytime is quieter, many local cafés close until sunset, and cities come alive after iftar.
What is Ramadan, briefly?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset: no food, drink or smoking during daylight. It shifts about 11 days earlier each year, so it falls in February–March in 2027 and late January–February in 2028. The fast is broken at sunset with ftour (the Moroccan word for iftar), and the month ends with Eid al-Fitr, a family holiday of one to two days.
For us in Marrakech, it is a month of slower days and long, sociable evenings. Visitors are not expected to fast, and nobody will be offended that you are not Muslim.
What changes for travellers
Here is what Ramadan Morocco travel looks like in practice, area by area. The short version: as a visitor, very little is closed to you, but the timing of everyday life moves later.
| Area | During Ramadan |
|---|---|
| Hotels and riads | Normal service; breakfast and dinner as usual for guests. |
| Monuments and museums | Open, sometimes with shorter hours (often closing an hour or so earlier). |
| Local cafés and street food | Many closed by day, reopening around sunset. |
| Tourist restaurants | Many in Gueliz, Hivernage and hotel restaurants serve lunch; fewer in the medina. |
| Alcohol | Harder to find; licensed hotels may still serve non-Muslim guests, supermarkets generally stop selling it for the month. |
| Shops and souks | Open later in the morning, quiet in mid-afternoon, busy after ftour. |
| Banks and offices | Shorter hours, typically finishing mid-afternoon. |
The clock change
Morocco normally runs on GMT+1, but for Ramadan the government usually sets the clocks back one hour to GMT, returning to GMT+1 after Eid. Phones update automatically, but double-check flight times, pickups and train departures around the change dates. We always confirm times with our guests by WhatsApp that week.
Eating and drinking as a visitor
You can eat and drink; just be discreet. Eat at your riad, hotel or a restaurant rather than walking down the street with a sandwich, and drink water from your bag rather than in front of people who are fasting. Carry snacks and water on day trips, because roadside cafés in villages are often closed. On a private tour your driver will happily stop somewhere suitable for you to eat, even while fasting himself.
Ftour: the best part of the day
Just before sunset, the streets empty as everyone heads home. When the call to prayer sounds, the fast is broken, usually with dates, milk, harira (a tomato, lentil and chickpea soup), chebakia (sesame and honey pastries), boiled eggs and sweet mint tea. An hour later, the city fills up again: families walking, children playing, cafés full until late.
Many riads offer a ftour to guests, and some families welcome visitors through local hosts. In Marrakech the evenings after ftour are the ideal time for a food walk; our guide to Marrakech street food after dark tells you what to try.
Planning tours during Ramadan
- Start early. Mornings from about 8.30 to 12.00 are the most energetic time for guided visits.
- Keep afternoons light. A pool, a hammam or a nap fits the rhythm of the city.
- Desert trips run as normal. Camps serve meals to guests and the Sahara is peaceful in February and March.
- Plan long drives for the morning so your driver finishes before ftour, and avoid being on the road right at sunset when traffic rushes home.
- Book Eid transport early. Trains and buses fill up as families travel home.
A private itinerary is the easiest way to adapt to all this. Our 8-day private Morocco tour starts from €890 per person, and during Ramadan we shape the timings around cooler mornings and lively evenings.
Money and tips during Ramadan
Banks close earlier, so withdraw cash in the morning; our guide to money, ATMs and SIM cards in Morocco covers the details. Giving generously is part of the spirit of the month, and a slightly bigger tip for your guide, driver or riad staff at the end of Ramadan is warmly appreciated. See our guide to tipping in Morocco for amounts.
Eid al-Fitr at the end of the month
When the new moon is sighted, Ramadan ends and Eid al-Fitr begins, expected around 9–10 March 2027. It is a public holiday: families dress up, visit relatives and share breakfast pastries after morning prayers. Many shops, souk stalls and some restaurants close for one or two days, and staff travel home to their villages. Monuments may close or keep short hours. If your trip includes Eid, keep those days simple, stay somewhere with good food on site, and enjoy the festive atmosphere in the streets.
Etiquette tips
- Dress a little more modestly than usual, with shoulders and knees covered in the medina.
- Do not smoke in public during the day.
- Be patient if people are tired or tempers run short in the late afternoon.
- Accept an invitation to share dates or tea after sunset; it is sincerely meant.
Quick FAQ
Is it rude to eat in public during Ramadan in Morocco?
It is not illegal for non-Muslims, but it is considerate to eat indoors or out of sight. Moroccans who publicly break the fast can face legal consequences, so the norms are taken seriously.
Are tourist attractions open during Ramadan?
Yes. Palaces, gardens and museums stay open, sometimes closing a bit earlier in the afternoon.
Is Ramadan a bad time to visit Morocco?
Not at all. Prices and crowds are often lower, and the evenings are some of the most memorable of the year. Just plan your days a little differently.
Travel with us during Ramadan
We run private tours right through the month and adjust every day to the Ramadan rhythm. Tell us your dates on WhatsApp (+212 606-957514) and we will suggest timings that work, or browse our private and tailor-made trips for ideas.
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