Witnessing the month of Ramadan in Morocco is a totally unique experience. It can offer a wonderful opportunity to visit and an enriching experience of travel.
But as with any travel plans it does pose questions. Morocco’s population is over 99% Muslim. So what does this mean for your trip?
While there are some changes to local life during this period there is absolutely no reason to put aside plans for travel to Morocco during Ramadan.
Travel during Ramadan in Morocco can become a special holiday and an enriching experience of travel – provided you know what to expect. Here are some key points to keep in mind when visiting Morocco during the month of Ramadan.
- What is Ramadan?
- When is Ramadan in Morocco?
- How Moroccans observe Ramadan
- Fasting
- Suhoor and Iftar
- Rules
- Changes during Ramadan
- Restaurants
- Business hours
- Transport
- Food
- Ramadan greetings
- Travel in Morocco during Ramadan
- Tips for Ramadan in Morocco
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the holiest month of Islam and takes place once a year following the cycle of the moon.
The month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. During the month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset breaking the fast at Iftar, the meal which happens after sunset.
When is Ramadan in Morocco?
The month of Ramadan is observed at the same time of year by Muslims all around the world.
The exact dates of the month cannot be determined in advance due to the sighting of the crescent moon, but it generally moves forward by 11 days (earlier) each year.
Interestingly though, since Morocco is geographically further west compared to other Muslim countries, Ramadan in Morocco often starts one day later than the Middle East.
For example, in UAE Ramadan started on the 11th of March for 2024. However, Ramadan in Morocco for 2024 started on 12th March.
This year Ramadan in Morocco is from 12th March – April 9th 2024.
These are the predicted dates for Ramadan for the next few years:
- 2025: March 1st – 29th
- 2026: February 18th – March 19th
- 2027: February 8th – March 8th
It is our second time experiencing a full month of Ramadan in Morocco. Read on to find out how visiting Morocco during Ramadan might be different to what you are expecting…
How Moroccans observe Ramadan
Moroccan people are known to be very fond of their own traditions. They celebrate their religious occasions proudly. And Ramadan in Morocco is a time of year that Moroccan children and adults alike always look forward to.
In Moroccan philosophy, Ramadan is viewed as a turning point for your spirit to be purified. It is revered as a time to share what you have with the needy and the poor.
Moroccans will be very proud to share the traditions of Ramadan. And it is a time of year when people are eager to openly celebrate traditions with their families and loved ones.
Sharing food and food preparations are a huge part of Moroccan celebrations of Ramadan. The evening meal of iftar is a big daily, celebration for everyone.
As sunset approaches it is a busy time on the streets as people return home from work to await the call to prayer to pray and break their fast together. And the late evenings are a special time of day again with literally crowds of men overflowing mosques all around the country to perform Taraweeh prayers (the final prayer of the day).
Does everyone fast?
Moroccan Muslim adults fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. The country’s population is over 99% Muslim.
This means any person who’s hit puberty is required to abstain from eating, drinking (including water), smoking, and engaging in sexual activity during daylight hours.
Although there are certain dispensations for those who are unable to fast due to illness (physical or mental), pregnancy, nursing or menstruation. In general all Muslims that are able to observe fasting during Ramadan.
As a non-Muslim tourist you are not expected to fast.
Are there rules for visitors to Morocco during Ramadan?
It is actually illegal for Moroccans to eat and drink in public during Ramadan. There is dispensation for children and adults if they meet special requirements where they don’t need to fast (such as illness, menstruation or pregnancy).
However, these rules do not apply to visitors or non-Muslims.
While you are not expected to observe the fast for Ramadan in Morocco. Out of respect, as a visitor, you should avoid eating (including chewing gum) and drinking, and smoking in public places.
There are designated restaurants that are open for tourists and non-Muslims where it is fine to sit within the restaurant space and eat and drink.
What changes during Ramadan in Morocco?
The holy month of Ramadan in Morocco is always highly anticipated.
It is a special time to visit Morocco. But there are changes to day-to-day life during this period. And in reality it will give you a different experience of Morocco.
There is a general different vibe in Morocco during Ramadan.
Evenings are celebratory and upbeat. While days can be long and patience short. (Imagine an entire country with thousands of people fasting at the same time!).
Some shops and restaurants are not open during the month of Ramadan. (Our favourite sardine restaurant in Safi was closed for the entire month). However, most shops and restaurants do open during Ramadan but with revised hours of operation. Often, they will open later and close later.
Banks, government offices and larger business open on a restricted scheduled opening later and closing earlier.
In rural Morocco, local convenience stores might open in the afternoon and remain closed in morning.
Are restaurants open during Ramadan?
Some local restaurants and coffee shops in the smaller cities of Morocco close during the daytime and open to serve Iftar meals and until very late in the evening (after midnight).
In the larger, tourist cities of Morocco (Essaouria, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir) there are restaurants and coffee shops that remain open to serve food during fasting hours for tourists.
The tourist cafés and restaurants are usually open all day and it is no problem to sit outside and eat or drink. But do bear in mind your server and café staff are more than likely fasting themselves. And if you arrive just on iftar you might have to wait for them to eat first and break their fast before they resume serving.
- Tip: None of this is written to make you feel bad about eating during Ramadan in Morocco! But if you adjust your hours of eating to after everyone has broken their fast, there is a noticeable buzz to post-sunset Morocco…
Suhoor
Suhoor is the morning meal eaten by Muslims before a day of fasting during the month of Ramadan. The suhoor meal is to be eaten before sunrise.
Iftar
Iftar, also known as futoor (the Arabic word for breakfast), is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan every day at sunset.
Time change for Ramadan in Morocco
During Ramadan in Morocco the clocks change (as if for daylight saving).
If you will be arriving before Ramadan, at the very beginning of the month or at the very end you should be aware that clocks change. The time will go backwards one hour at the beginning and forwards one hour at the end.
Businesses and opening hours during Ramadan
The working hours of public institutions change during the holy month of Ramadan. Most businesses and banks adopt a continuous working time and operate from 9am until 3pm, Monday to Friday.
- Tip: Be aware that on Fridays, very few people go back to work after the midday Muslim prayers.
Public transport and driving in Morocco during Ramadan
Buses in Morocco may alter their schedules and routes during Ramadan to match timing for sunset or to reduce traffic during evening prayer times. Trains generally keep to their given schedules.
The most notable transport challenge during Ramadan is driving on the roads. The roads in cities all over Morocco are busiest in the hour before sunset as people travel from work to break their fast at home with family.
Taxi drivers are less likely to engage in business for late-afternoon or evening travel. You may need to wait for a taxi until after iftar or even after the Taraweeh prayer (final prayer of the day).
- Tip: If you can help it avoid the roads in Morocco for the hour before sunset.
What to expect after sunset during Ramadan in Morocco
From 6:30pm – 9:00pm you can expect not much to be happening outside during Ramadan. Most people are at home breaking their fast with their family and making the final two prayers of the day.
Afterwards the streets get busy again. Souks in the city will be open until late and buzzing with people out and about.
We went out to Morocco Mall in Casablanca (the largest mall in Africa) at 8:00pm and it was absolutely deserted. By the time we had finished our supermarket shopping at 9:00pm and were leaving the mall; all of the mall shops, cafés and restaurants were just opening again!
- Tip: Moroccans tend to eat a second meal much later (around midnight) so everyone is awake much later during Ramadan!
Eid-Al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is a time of celebration in Morocco. The end of Ramadan is announced by the sighting of the new moon in the sky. And this signifies the start of Eid-al-Fitr, a celebration translating as “Festival of Breaking the Fast”.
In Morocco the streets are decorated with colourful lights and traditional decorations. It is one of the largest celebrations in Islam and an exciting time to be in Morocco!
- Tip: During the Eid celebration, Muslims greet each other by saying ‘Eid Mubarak’, which is Arabic for “Blessed Eid”.
Food for Ramadan in Morocco
In Morocco, there are loads of traditional, rich and versatile dishes from all over the country that are staples and favourites during Ramadan.
It varies from region to region, but foods typically eaten during Ramadan in Morocco include:
- Harira (Moroccan soup)
- Briouat (stuffed pastries)
- Khobz B’Chehmafor (stuffed bread)
- Sellou (seeds and nuts)
- M’smen (Crepe)
- Beghir (Moroccan pancake)
- Boiled eggs
- Dates
- Yoghurt
- Milk
- Avocado Milkshake
- Chebakiya
- Cakes and pastries
A traditional iftar meal can include a warm, spiced harira soup, dates, M’smen, boiled eggs, and plenty of sweet treats such as chebakia and sellou.
Midfa al Iftar
You may be startled by an ear-piercing canon or blaring alarm to signal sunset – but don’t be alarmed(!). In some cities during Ramadan in Morocco a cannon is fired at sunset for the breaking of the fast.
- Tip: Firing of a cannon for the breaking of fast in Morocco is called ‘Medfaa’ (Midfa al Iftar).
Travel to Morocco during Ramadan
Ramadan is a special time to visit Morocco. But in reality it will give you a different experience.
You’ll find yourself part of local celebrations, and savouring traditional Moroccan foods that are specific to Ramadan.
When planning your visit it is worth being aware that because Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar it falls on a different date each year and is affected by the seasons.
Ramadan during the summer is very different to Ramadan in Morocco during the winter months. Namely because the hours of fasting are considerably longer. And that combined with extreme heat especially in the desert regions can make Ramadan harder for both locals and visitors too.
While some restaurants and shops might be closed during the day or operating on a limited schedule. Most tourism activities or tours, as well as sites and attractions will also function normally. Or at best with a change to operating hours.
Tips as a visitor to Morocco during Ramadan
Here are some key points to keep in mind when visiting Morocco during the month of Ramadan.
- Plan your activities with consideration for the energy levels of those around you and be understanding if plans are adjusted.
- As iftar starts you might need to wait for staff in a café or restaurant to eat first.
- Don’t expect anything to open before 10:00AM!
- Buy breakfast food for the morning the night before as shops don’t open in the morning.
- Dress for the season. While modesty is the norm in Morocco all year round, cultural sensitivity is expected in Ramadan.
- If you are fortunate to be invited to iftar it is polite to bring a gift, but make sure any food gifts are halal.
- For iftar, wait until prayers are said and the host invites you to eat. It’s customary to start with a drink of water and a date or two.
Ramadan greetings
Whether you are traveling to Morocco in Ramadan or you have Moroccan friends observing Ramadan, it is respectful and appreciated to use polite expressions of greeting.
- Tip: In Morocco, “Ramadan Kareem” or “Ramadan Mubarak” are commonly used greetings. They translate to “Generous Ramadan” or “Blessed Ramadan” respectively.
Should I visit Morocco during Ramadan?
Absolutely. You’re in for a unique cultural experience if you do. And a truly special time in Morocco.
Albeit Ramadan presents unique challenges to visitors to Morocco. But on the other hand it also provides an amazing learning and cultural experience.
Ultimately it depends on your preferences and desired experiences of travel in Morocco. If you’re seeking a busy and upbeat party or shopping atmosphere, Ramadan may not be the ideal time to visit.
If you’re open to thoughtful travel and a unique cultural experience and can adapt to a more flexible schedule, Ramadan in Morocco could offer a wonderful opportunity to visit.
Planning travel to Morocco
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family (for five years now) and ones that we would recommend to anyone booking travel to Morocco.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. There is a great selection of budget accommodation and be sure to check the filters and cancellation flexibility that we love!
- Skyscanner – We use this for all our flights. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world.
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before traveling to Morocco!
Read more about travel in Morocco
- Travel to Morocco: The Ultimate Morocco Travel Guide.
- Taking the ferry from Spain to Morocco.
- Everything you wanted to ask about driving in Morocco.
- Crossing the Morocco Mauritania border from Dakhla to Nouadhibou.
- Motorhome services in Morocco.
- A guide to campsites in Morocco.
- Buying a SIM card in Morocco (and how to get unlimited data).
