Rest in Ramadan: what changes for a tourist in a Muslim country

In Dubai, you sit down at a table and the waiter shakes his head. During the day in Ramadan, food is not served in this area. Many tourists only learn about the fasting rules on the spot, when the waiter brings neither water nor coffee.

Ramadan changes the daily rhythm in Muslim countries for almost a month. Resorts and hotels operate as usual, while streets, museums, and cafes outside hotels follow a different schedule. Below you will find exactly what changes for a tourist and where the rules are strict and where they are barely noticeable.

In 2027, Ramadan begins around February 8 and ends on March 9 (Ramadan calendar). For a tourist, this means cheaper hotels and a different schedule at attractions.

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What Ramadan is and when it happens

💡 In short:

• Ramadan lasts almost a month, and the dates shift earlier every year.
• During daylight hours, believers do not eat, drink, or smoke.
• Rules of conduct and operating hours: 09/2026, according to Time Out Dubai.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. For Muslims, it is a time of fasting, prayer, and giving up entertainment. From dawn to sunset, believers abstain from all food and drink, even water. They do not smoke and do not hold noisy gatherings.

The month lasts from one new moon to the next, so the start date shifts every year. The full cycle takes about thirty-three years, and during that time Ramadan passes through all seasons. In 2027, it falls in February and March, which is the cool season in most Muslim countries.

What changes in hotels and on the streets

In hotels and resorts, Ramadan is almost unnoticeable for a tourist. Hotels operate as usual, and food and drinks are served at any time of day or night. Staff observe the fast in a way that guests do not notice. Bars, spas, and pools in hotels are also open.

It is a different story with establishments outside hotels. Restaurants, cafes, museums, and amusement parks change their operating hours. Staff are given time for prayer and for the meal after sunset, so during the day some places are closed. You will find it harder to find a place that serves alcohol, and in some places even just to eat.

Closer to sunset, the city comes alive. Mosques announce the end of the daily fast, and iftar, the evening meal, begins. Restaurants, bars, and cafes quickly fill with locals. On the streets of major cities, traffic jams are common at this hour. Plan your trips around the city either before sunset or after it.

© giggel · CC BYPhoto: giggel, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

After the evening prayer, life does not quiet down. Shops and malls stay open late, and many cafes open late in the evening and close only toward morning. For a tourist, this is convenient: you can get dinner even at midnight.

Transport during Ramadan operates as usual

Trains, buses, and the metro in Muslim countries run on their regular schedules. Taxis work the same as in any other month of the year.

If you are heading to the airport or between cities, it is better to arrange transportation in advance. You can book an airport transfer ahead of time, before arrival, and the driver will meet you with a sign. During Ramadan, flight schedules do not change, but evening traffic jams at iftar time can delay the car.

UAE: strict rules and low prices

In the UAE, Ramadan rules apply to everyone, including tourists. Outside hotels, visitors must follow the same restrictions as locals. During daylight hours, you cannot eat, drink, or smoke in public places, and chewing gum is not allowed even on the street (according to the Time Out Dubai city guide, 09/2026).

Clothing should be modest and not tight-fitting: cover your shoulders and knees. Police usually limit themselves to warnings, but a demonstrative violation can result in a fine. Smoking and drinking alcohol during the day is allowed only in designated areas, most often in hotels and separate restaurant sections.

There is also a plus for tourists. During Ramadan, prices in the UAE drop noticeably. Hotels and restaurants are less busy than usual, room rates often fall by nearly half, and boutiques run seasonal sales. It is worth checking hotels in Dubai on Trip.com in advance.

Turkey: the mildest Ramadan

The most convenient country for tourists during this period is considered to be Turkey. On the resort coast, the rhythm of life barely changes. Restaurants, bars, and shops in tourist areas operate as usual, and hotels do not change their schedules at all.

The only restriction concerns mosques. Major mosques are open to tourists outside prayer times. On the other hand, in the evening many areas set up free iftar tables, and visitors may also be invited. It is worth checking hotels in Turkey on Trip.com in advance; the coast is quiet at this time.

Egypt: rules on excursions

In Egypt, the rules are milder than in the UAE but stricter than at Turkish resorts. Restrictions must be observed during excursions and when visiting attractions, as well as when leaving the hotel. Local dress norms apply here even outside Ramadan: walking the streets with bare shoulders and knees is not accepted.

During the day, some establishments outside hotels are closed, so excursions are best planned for the morning or evening. You can choose excursions on GetYourGuide in advance: the guide will adjust the route to the Ramadan schedule and tell you where to eat after sunset.

Tunisia: a relaxed option for tourists

In Tunisia, conditions for tourists during the fast are considered mild. In hotels and on resort beaches, everything works without changes. Outside the hotel grounds during the day, many cafes and restaurants are closed or operate on reduced hours, and alcohol is harder to find (according to Tunisia Tourism, 09/2026).

© Citizen59 · CC BYPhoto: Citizen59, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

If you are going to a resort, choose a hotel with meals included: then the city's daytime schedule will not affect you. It is also better to check hotels in Tunisia on Trip.com in advance.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can tourists eat and drink during the day in Ramadan?

In hotels, resorts, and most mall restaurants, food and drinks are available during the day without restrictions. On the street and in public places in the UAE, eating, drinking, and smoking during daylight hours are not allowed. Tourists are not required to fast, but the country's public rules apply to everyone.

Is it worth traveling to a Muslim country during Ramadan?

Yes, if you are comfortable with a different daily rhythm. The main plus is the prices: during Ramadan, hotels are cheaper than usual. The catch is that during the day some cafes and museums are closed, and excursions run on a modified schedule.

Do excursions, museums, and amusement parks operate?

Yes, tourist attractions operate, but on a modified schedule. Some establishments are closed during the day and open closer to the evening. It is best to check the schedule for a specific day on site.

Where is Ramadan almost unnoticeable for a tourist?

At resorts in Turkey and in hotels in Tunisia, the rhythm of life barely changes. Tourists are allowed into major mosques outside prayer times. On the beach and in the hotel, you will barely feel it.

Do tourists need to fast?

No, fasting is obligatory only for practicing Muslims. But in the UAE, public rules also apply to visitors: do not eat or drink on the street during the day, and wear modest clothing. In Turkey and Tunisia, respectful behavior outside the hotel is sufficient.

In short: what to book

During Ramadan, hotels in Muslim countries are cheaper than usual. If you need a room at a resort, find a hotel on Trip.com. If you want ready-made experiences, browse tours on GetYourGuide.

• If you are going to the UAE: choose a hotel with a pool and meals, then daytime restrictions will barely affect you.
• If you are going to Turkey or Tunisia: a resort hotel operates on its regular schedule all month.
• If you are going on excursions: plan them for the morning or after sunset; during the day some sites are closed.