Ramadan Ambiance in Morocco, Your Morocco Travel Guide (2024)

FAQs

Ramadan Ambiance in Morocco, Your Morocco Travel Guide? ›

Most people in Morocco and other Islamic countries go out late in the evening during Ramadan and stay out at night much later than normal. (This is because the three meals of daytime are eaten at night, and the third meal falls about 4 AM.) The streets can be more crowded at midnight than during the daytime rush hours.

If you're looking for an unforgettable cultural experience, visiting Morocco during Ramadan is a must. Not only will you gain a deeper appreciation for the locals and their devotion to Islam, but you will also enjoy fewer crowds, as tourists tend to avoid this time of year.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims don't eat or drink or smoke during daylight hours. Through fasting, Muslims restart their awareness of and gratitude for everything God has provided in their lives. There are two essential meals eaten at a specific time.

Unlike many Muslim countries during Ramadan, Morocco sees little to no change during this time. Bars and cafés will be open as usual and continue to serve food throughout the day. Alcohol can be difficult to find at any time of year, and this remains true during Ramadan.

This is always a respectful thing to do when visiting a Muslim country. But it is even more appropriate during Ramadan. Avoid shorts, above-the-knee-skirts, and sleeveless or off-the-shoulder shirts and dresses. This is especially important if you travel beyond the areas most heavily trafficked by tourists.

While female travellers aren't expected to dress as conservatively as local women, it's still a good idea to pack clothing options that will allow you to cover up. In the main cities, you can get away with wearing pants or a skirt that reaches below the knee, and a short-sleeved t-shirt.

Article 222 of the Moroccan Penal Code states: “A person commonly known to be Muslim who violates the fast in a public place during Ramadan, without having one of the justifications allowed by Islam, shall be punished by one to six months in prison and a fine of 200 dirhams.”

The site in Marrakech should be open but will close a bit early to allow for people to get home and break the fast. Not the best time to visit , but also not that bad. Just be respectful and not in a rush. Some of the tourist sites, such as the Jardin Majorelle, open and close a bit later/earlier.

If you're visiting Marrakech during Ramadan, it's important to be respectful of those who are fasting. This means not eating or drinking in public during the day, and dressing modestly.

Most significantly, they refer to the saying of the Prophet Muhammad; “Fast when you see it (the crescent moon) and break the fast when you see it.” Accordingly, some nations like Morocco base their calendar on actually sighting the crescent moon with the naked eye.

Are restaurants open in Ramadan in Morocco? ›

A: In large cities, some restaurants open day and night during Ramadan. It could be more difficult to find a place open in small villages and cities. Most shops open at around 10 am and close about 1 hour before sunset, reopening after breaking the fast and then staying open until late at night.

Foreigners are not expected to fast, so various restaurants, especially touristic ones, are open. Some restaurants, especially those frequented by Moroccans, are closed during the day during Ramadan. However, they usually offer a large iftar buffet, where Moroccan tourists or local families meet to break their fast.

In the major cities in Morocco, the tap water is chlorinated and will usually cause no harm, but it's still wise to either purify this water yourself or choose another water source, as your body may react to unfamiliar bacteria in the water, causing sickness or diarrhea.

In the countryside, where locals have had more of a traditional upbringing, it's recommended to wear long trousers or an over-the-knee skirt. Jeans, including skinny jeans, are commonly worn by modern Moroccan girls here, but they often wear a longer top if the jeans are at risk of being too tight.

One's fast does not break by wearing, feeling or smelling fragrance. As such, it is permitted to apply perfume (itr), deodorant, or spays whilst in the state of fasting. However, if one was to intentionally inhale something that has a perceptible body, such as smoke, then one's fast would become invalid.

Generally, in Moroccan culture women cover up their legs and arms and heads with a headscarf. It is not necessary to wear a headscarf but I find you will gain respect and feel more comfortable if you at least cover your shoulders and knees.

The site in Marrakech should be open but will close a bit early to allow for people to get home and break the fast. Not the best time to visit , but also not that bad. Just be respectful and not in a rush. Some of the tourist sites, such as the Jardin Majorelle, open and close a bit later/earlier.

Marrakech is known for its vibrant nightlife, but during Ramadan, things may be a bit quieter. Many bars and nightclubs may be closed during the month, but there are still plenty of places to go out and enjoy the evening.

A: In large cities, some restaurants open day and night during Ramadan. It could be more difficult to find a place open in small villages and cities. Most shops open at around 10 am and close about 1 hour before sunset, reopening after breaking the fast and then staying open until late at night.