{"id":445002,"date":"2025-01-13T19:12:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T13:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.akbartravels.com\/?p=445002"},"modified":"2025-12-12T09:58:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T09:58:32","slug":"everything-to-know-when-travelling-during-ramadan-to-muslim-countries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.akbartravels.com\/in\/blogs\/everything-to-know-when-travelling-during-ramadan-to-muslim-countries\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything to Know When Travelling During Ramadan to Muslim Countries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ramadan, the season of abstinence, prayer, community bonding, and celebration, is right around the corner, offering you the chance to experience the holy festival in different countries. Muslim countries are known to make a few changes to certain societal norms to honour the religious practices that tourists of other religions might not know about when travelling during Ramadan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you plan to travel to Muslim countries during Ramadan 2025, here are some rules to follow to avoid offending locals from a predominantly Muslim country and make the most of your visit. A few countries that fall under this list include Dubai, Turkey, Bosnia, Pakistan, Morocco, Iran, and Azerbaijan, so before you complete your cheap flight ticket booking online<\/a>, read this article and get all your Ramadan travel questions answered! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ramadan 2025 Dates & Significance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"People<\/a>
People wishing each other
Image credit: Shutterstock\/PeopleImages.com – Yuri A<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As of 2025, Ramadan will be celebrated from 28th February to 29th March, followed by the festival of Eid al-Fitr, falling on the 30th and 31st of March. The season lasts for 30 days, beginning when the first crescent moon appears in the sky. The exact start and end dates might vary across countries, depending on the phase of the moon visible from the location. You can find the dates by referring to an Islamic Calendar that follows the phases of the moon rather than the solar Gregorian Calendar. Most Sunni Muslim countries follow the dates, as announced by Saudi Arabia, so check in advance before booking all-inclusive international tour packages.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ramadan always falls during the 9th month as per the Islamic calendar and is a period when Muslims ask for forgiveness for their sins by fasting and abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, etc. in the belief that their divine rewards multiply during the season. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, avoiding even a sip of water during the daylight hours. Young kids, senior citizens, sick people, and women who are pregnant, menstruating, or breastfeeding are excused from following these fasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To what extent do you need to follow the rules when travelling to Muslim countries during Ramadan? Let\u2019s find out! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating in Public & Restaurants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/a>
A family enjoys Iftar
Image credit: Shutterstock\/diplomedia<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re not expected to fast like the locals if you travel to Muslim countries during Ramadan. Muslims will begin with a meal before dawn called suhoor and end the day with Iftar or fitoor after sunset. When travelling to Muslim countries, you\u2019re prohibited from eating any food or drinking water in a public space between these meal hours, not even inside your car. However, in certain countries like Dubai, Albania, and Bosnia, you can still eat in public during these hours, as these are popular tourist locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to eat out at a restaurant when you travel to Muslim countries, especially during iftar hours, you must make a reservation to avoid disappointment. In certain countries like the Maldives, it is better to ask restaurants about their meal schedule and timings so you can plan accordingly. In case of any reason where you must eat or drink in public during daylight hours, it is polite to ask the people around you if it is alright to eat and drink in front of them during Ramadan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to never turn down an Iftar invitation if you want to taste some of the most heavenly, delicious, and fragrant meals! If you got no invites, you can also reserve a table at one of the restaurant buffets during Iftar for a similar experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Also read: <\/strong>The Top Seven Halal-Friendly Destinations Ideal for Muslims<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcohol Consumption <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Saying<\/a>
Saying no to Alcohol
Image credit: Shutterstock\/Pormezz<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is any trip without some booze-filled nights? If you agree with these thoughts, then you might want to avoid visiting Muslim countries during Ramadan, as you cannot drink in public this season. If you explore a country with a mixed religious population, you can purchase all kinds of alcohol at any time of the day since the bars will follow regular timings. However, in strictly Muslim-populated countries, procuring alcohol might be a challenging task to find restaurants or bars willing to serve you a beverage during these months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you hop on cheap flights to Dubai<\/a> during Ramadan, you might find certain licensed stores selling alcoholic beverages; however, it is best to book some of the best hotels in Dubai<\/a> online and avoid a public swig. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dressing When Travelling During Ramadan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Woman<\/a>
Woman wearing an Abaya stands in front of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Image credit: Shutterstock\/kudla<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most countries with a mixed religious population might not follow a strict dressing rule for tourists in public spaces; however, when you travel to Muslim countries during Ramadan, a smart move is to pack more conservative clothing than usual. The locals prefer if tourists, especially women, cover up more than usual to show respect during the holy month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dress modest, covering your shoulders and knees during the month. Some might even prefer wearing long-sleeved clothing and carrying around a shawl or dupatta in case they need to cover up in public or while visiting a sacred location. Women need not wear abayas or hijabs but must ensure their hair and neck are covered when entering a Mosque. Avoid tight-fitting clothing when travelling during Ramadan and Eid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are Tourist Attractions & Shop Timings Affected? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Burj<\/a>
Burj Khalifa in Dubai
Image credit: Shutterstock\/frank_peters<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve already booked exciting Dubai tour packages<\/a> or those to other Muslim countries, there\u2019s no need to worry about missing out! Most attractions follow the timings as before, except for a few, including the Burj Khalifa, which will open late or close earlier to allow their staff to go home for Iftar. You must check the attraction’s official website or contact them directly to learn more so you can plan accordingly. Moreover, if you explore with a tour package, most guides are aware of the timing changes, so you need not worry about an altered experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, you will notice a complete shift in schedules if you visit Muslim-dominated countries during Ramadan 2025, especially in a less popular tourist location like Kirouan in Tunisia. Most stores and businesses open later in the day, and restaurants might close around midnight to accommodate the iftar crowds. However, if you\u2019re in a popular tourist location, you might not even notice the difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also read: <\/strong>Dubai Travel Tips: What you should know before you go.<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about the Mosques, Sufi Lodges & Other Sacred Spaces?  <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"People<\/a>
People praying in a Mosque in Istanbul
Image credit: Shutterstock\/sakir colak<\/a><\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The best time to avoid crowding at the Mosques and other sacred locations is during the midday and afternoon prayers, called the dhuhr and asr, respectively. Some Mosques might even open early and close during the day to prepare and open for Iftar after sunset. After sunset, during Iftar, the religious places would be overflowing with large crowds and might not be ideal for a visit. In popular tourist locations, you could find a way to join the iftar meals served in the Mosques for a one-of-a-kind local bonding experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mosques, Sufi Lodges and other locations might open later in the day than usual, as caretakers would have to stay back during the late midnight hours to observe the locals during iftar hours. If you\u2019re living at a hotel, you can ask the front desk to know more about the timings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelling to Muslim countries in 2025? Click here<\/a> to get cheap hotel bookings online for the most relaxing experience! Secure cheap Chennai to Delhi flights<\/a> to explore India\u2019s capital city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Transportation Affected? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Aerial<\/a>
Aerial view of highways
Image credit: Shutterstock\/D.Kvasnetskyy<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During the month of Ramadan, public transportation timings might be affected as well. Most locals rush home before sunset to break their fast, so you might have to deal with a lot of traffic. For about an hour after sunset, finding transport in a Muslim-dominated country will prove challenging, considering everyone has already gathered with their families at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to explore Muslim countries during Ramadan, you should reserve a private vehicle to get around the city for convenience and to avoid being stranded at an unknown location. In Dubai, you need not worry about spending extra on a private vehicle, as train and tram hours are extended to accommodate the iftar crowds. Apply for your Dubai visa<\/a> online today and get it within 24 hours! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Enjoy the Season of Ramadan Like a Local?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/a>
A man prays before having his Ramadan meal
Image credit: Shutterstock\/Drazen Zigic<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A few other rules you must remember to enjoy the season and respect the unspoken rules during Ramadan include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n