Many first-time visitors wonder whether they should avoid Morocco during Ramadan. The short answer is no. Hotels, riads, trains, guided tours and the main sights keep working, and visitors are not expected to fast. What changes is the rhythm of the day: mornings start later, afternoons are slower, and the hour around sunset belongs to families sitting down to break the fast together.
If you understand that rhythm and plan a little around it, Ramadan can be one of the most rewarding times to travel. This guide explains when it falls, what changes for visitors, and the small habits that make the month easier for you and for the people around you.
When is Ramadan in 2027?
Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so it moves about eleven days earlier each year. As of October 2026, astronomical projections place the start of Ramadan 2027 on or around 8 February, with the month lasting 29 or 30 days and Eid al-Fitr around 9 to 11 March.
Morocco fixes the exact dates only after its own moon sighting, announced by the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs on the evening before. The country sometimes starts a day later than other countries: in 2026, Morocco began Ramadan on Thursday 19 February, after the crescent was confirmed the evening before. If your trip sits at either end of the month, allow for a day either way.
| What | Expected timing in 2027 | What it means for visitors |
|---|---|---|
| Start of Ramadan | Around 8 or 9 February | Daytime fasting begins; daily rhythms change |
| Clocks | Morocco usually moves from GMT+1 to GMT for the month | Check times on tickets and bookings near the switch |
| Eid al-Fitr | Around 9 to 11 March | Public holiday; busy roads, trains and flights |
Watch out for the clock change
Morocco normally keeps GMT+1 all year, but a 2018 decree suspends it during Ramadan. In 2026, clocks went back one hour on 15 February and returned to GMT+1 on 22 March, after Eid. The government announces the exact dates each year, so if you have a flight, train or tour close to the switch, double-check which time your booking uses.
What changes during the day
Between dawn and sunset, most Moroccans do not eat, drink or smoke. Visitors are not expected to join in, but the UK government's travel advice notes that eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during the day may cause offence. In practice this simply means eating at your riad, in a restaurant or somewhere discreet rather than walking down the street with a sandwich or a bottle of water.
- Restaurants: many local cafés and snack bars close during the day, while hotels, riads and tourist-oriented restaurants in cities such as Marrakech and Fes usually stay open. Some separate non-fasting guests from the rest of the room.
- Shops and souks: most open later in the morning and some close in the late afternoon. The medinas are noticeably calmer by day, and many visitors find shopping and bargaining more relaxed.
- Offices and banks: public administrations work shorter, continuous hours; in 2026 they ran from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Plan any bank or official errands for the morning.
- Energy levels: people who are fasting may be tired, especially in the afternoon. A little extra patience goes a long way, particularly in traffic just before sunset.
Sights, tours and day trips
The major sights generally remain open. In Marrakech, places such as the Majorelle Garden, the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs keep welcoming visitors, although hours can be shorter or include a break. Check opening times a day or two ahead, and plan your sightseeing for the morning and early afternoon.
Guided tours, cooking classes, desert trips and day trips from Marrakech still run. Several travellers report that the main sights are quieter than usual, which can be a real advantage. In smaller towns and rural areas it can be harder to find lunch, so carry snacks and water and eat them discreetly, or ask your guide where to stop.
Food, ftour and the evenings
Sunset is the moment the whole country turns towards the table. The meal that breaks the fast is called ftour in Morocco. It usually starts with dates and water or milk, followed by harira, a tomato, lentil and chickpea soup, along with eggs, breads, pastries and sweets such as chebakia. Our guide to what to eat in Morocco explains more of these dishes.
Many riads, hotels and restaurants offer a set ftour menu, and it is worth trying at least once. If you are invited to share ftour in someone's home, accept if you can: it is one of the warmest experiences a visitor can have. Around the call to prayer itself, streets empty quickly and some restaurants pause service or serve only drinks while the kitchen catches up, so book a table for a little later or eat a bit after sunset.
After ftour, the cities come back to life. Cafés fill up, families stroll and the medinas stay busy late into the night. In Marrakech, Jemaa el-Fna is lively an hour or so after sunset, and the area around the Koutoubia fills with worshippers during the evening prayers. This is when Ramadan feels most festive, so keep your evenings free.
Alcohol during Ramadan
Alcohol is only sold in licensed venues in Morocco at any time, and during Ramadan it becomes much harder to find. Supermarkets and shops that normally sell it usually stop for the whole month, and many bars close or change their hours. Some licensed hotels and restaurants in the big cities continue to serve non-Muslim guests, but this varies, so do not count on it. Never drink in the street: the UK government warns that drinking anywhere other than a licensed bar or restaurant is illegal.
Trains, buses and getting around
Public transport runs throughout the month, usually on an adjusted timetable. In 2026, the national railway ONCF published a special Ramadan schedule with 22 Al Boraq high-speed trains a day and an extra post-ftour evening departure from Tangier and Casablanca. Timetables change each year, so check the ONCF website or app close to your travel date. Our guide to getting around Morocco covers trains, buses and taxis in more detail.
Two moments need extra planning. The hour before sunset brings heavy traffic as people rush home, and taxis can be scarce while the fast is being broken, so avoid arriving at your riad or the airport right at ftour time. Eid al-Fitr, at the end of the month, is a public holiday when many Moroccans travel to see family: book trains, buses and flights well ahead if your trip covers those days.
Etiquette: small gestures that help
- Eat and drink discreetly in public during the day, and avoid smoking in the street.
- Dress modestly. Loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees are always sensible in Morocco, and more so during Ramadan, especially outside the tourist centres.
- Keep affection private, particularly near mosques.
- Greet people with "Ramadan Kareem"; it is warmly received.
- Be patient with slower service and changed hours, especially late in the afternoon.
None of this is complicated, and most visitors find that a little respect is noticed and appreciated. Our Moroccan etiquette guide covers greetings, dress and hospitality all year round.
Is Ramadan a good time to visit?
It depends on what you want from your trip. If you are hoping for long lunches, nightlife or a packed sightseeing schedule from dawn to dusk, another month may suit you better. If you enjoy calmer sights, festive evenings and a closer look at Moroccan family life, Ramadan is a memorable time to come. In early 2027 it also falls in the mild late-winter season, which suits city breaks; see the best time to visit Morocco for the weather region by region.
Whatever you decide, plan your days around three anchors: sightseeing in the morning, a quiet afternoon, and evenings kept free for ftour and the streets coming back to life.
The Morocco First-Time Visitor Guide
Everything you need to understand before your first trip, from money and etiquette to transport and safety habits.
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