Travelling in Morocco during Ramadan

The 2027 calendar

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the Moon: it moves forward by about eleven days each year against the civil calendar. Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around Monday 8 February 2027 and last 29 or 30 days, until 8 or 9 March. Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the fast, would then fall on 9 or 10 March; it is a two-day public holiday in Morocco.

These dates are astronomical forecasts. In Morocco, the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs announces the start of the month the evening before, after sighting the crescent moon, and the date may differ by a day from the Gulf states. For a trip that straddles these dates, Sabaro advises keeping a day of flexibility, especially around Eid.

Time. Since 20 September 2026, Morocco has been on GMT all year. In previous years the country left its usual time during Ramadan and returned to it afterwards; that double change no longer applies. During Ramadan 2027, clocks in Morocco are the same time as London.

Breaking the fast happens at sunset. In February and March 2027, the sun sets in Marrakech at about 18:10 at the start of the month and about 18:35 at the end, local time; in Fes and Merzouga, at about 17:55 and then 18:20. The prayer timetable published by the Ministry of Habous gives the exact time for each city.

A Ramadan day, from a traveller's point of view

The month changes the rhythm of the cities more than access to them: monuments, museums and hotels stay open, sometimes with shorter hours.

• Mornings are quiet, and the streets come to life later than usual. It is a good time for monuments and gardens.
• In the afternoon, the city hurries before the fast is broken: crowded markets, heavy traffic, few taxis in the last hour.
• At sunset, the streets empty within minutes. People break the fast at home or in restaurants, traditionally with dates and a soup, harira.
• In the evening, the cities come back to life: families out walking, full cafés, souks open late. In Marrakech, Jemaa el-Fna square and the medina are at their liveliest.

Government offices work shorter hours: in 2026, they worked continuously from 9:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday. Outside tourist areas, many restaurants stay closed during the day and only open when the fast is broken.

Customs and rules

Fasting is compulsory for Muslims; non-Muslims are not required to fast. European foreign ministries nonetheless advise avoiding eating, drinking and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. Chewing gum counts too; some hotels and restaurants separate non-fasting guests, for example with a screen.

The law targets Muslims: article 222 of the Moroccan Penal Code punishes with one to six months in prison a person known to be Muslim who openly breaks the fast in a public place. A foreign traveller is not covered by this article, but a meal on a bench or a bottle of water drunk in the middle of the street gives offence. Eat at your hotel, riad or an open restaurant, and drink discreetly.

Dress. Covering clothes are appropriate all year away from beaches and hotels, and all the more so during Ramadan.

Alcohol. All year round, alcohol is only served in licensed premises, and drinking in the street is illegal. During Ramadan, alcohol cannot be bought. For a glass of wine with dinner, ask your hotel before booking what it serves during the month.

Planning your trip

February and March are a good season for southern Morocco, and Ramadan rules out no itinerary. A few choices make the stay easier.

• Marrakech and Fes. A hotel or riad with a restaurant guarantees lunch. In the evening, the fast-breaking dinner at the riad is worth booking.
• The desert. In Agafay, near Marrakech, the Scarabeo camps stay open all month. In Merzouga, late-winter days are mild and nights very cold.
• Guides and drivers who fast work as usual, with less energy late in the day. It is best to schedule guided visits in the morning, and to avoid long drives in the hour before sunset, when traffic is at its most hectic.
• Transport around Eid. Many families travel back to their home region: trains, coaches and domestic flights fill up in the days before the festival. Book early, and plan quiet days for the two public holidays, when many shops close.