Visiting Dubai During Ramadan: What’s It Really Like?
A lot of people avoid visiting Dubai during Ramadan, and this always baffles me. After moving to Dubai in 2022, Ramadan has become one of my favorite times of the year to be here. Travel to Dubai during Ramadan, and you’ll get to experience bustling Ramadan night markets, iftars (evening meals) with family and friends, huge discounts at malls and hotels, and just a general joyous spirit in the days leading up to the Eid Al Fitr holiday.
So if you’re worried about traveling to Dubai during Ramadan, there’s really nothing to worry about. For the most part, it’s business as usual here in Dubai, and you’ll find that restaurants and all the major tourist attractions are operating as usual.
Ramadan just adds a unique cultural element to your travels, as well as a few additional perks, to your travels, which is why I think Ramadan is one of the best times to visit Dubai! From sales at stores and hotels to festive lights, fun pop-up markets, and special iftar meals at restaurants and hotels, there’s a lot going on in Dubai during Ramadan!
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Visiting Dubai During Ramadan: Everything You Need to Know!
The perks of visiting Dubai during Ramadan:
- Joining in with an iftar or suhoor with locals
- Shopping and dining at the festive, light-filled Ramadan night markets
- Taking advantage of massive sales at malls and shops
- Getting great deals on hotels across the UAE
- Seeing fewer crowds at major attractions during the day
- Hearing the call to prayer emanate from mosques at sunset
What is Ramadan?
Taking place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the Holy Month in Islam, and it marks the occasion when the first verses of the Quran were given to the Prophet Muhammad.
Ramadan is a time of fasting, faith, family, and charity. Muslims abstain from eating, drinking (even water), and smoking from sunrise to sunset each day of the Holy Month. When the sun sets, Muslims will break their fast with an evening meal called iftar. Before sunrise and fasting resumes, Muslims have another meal called suhoor.
When is Ramadan 2025?
Ramadan takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. But the dates change each year according to the cycle of the moon. The beginning of Ramadan depends on when the new crescent moon is first spotted by the official moon-sighting committee here in the UAE.
It’s estimated that the beginning of Ramadan 2025 will be around Friday, February 28 and will last for around 29 or 30 days, according to the lunar cycle.
Eating and drinking in public
Even as recently as a few years ago, traveling to Dubai during Ramadan was a much different experience for tourists and non-Muslims. While many hotel and tourist-oriented restaurants and cafes would still serve food, they would cover their windows and remove outdoor seating during the day in an effort to be respectful of fasting Muslims. And a great many restaurants would close altogether.
Depending on where you’re traveling in Dubai and the UAE, you’ll find some areas will still be very conservative. But, in tourist-oriented areas in Dubai, it’s business as usual. In areas like Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina, you’ll find restaurants and outdoor dining going strong throughout the month.
It is technically prohibited to eat, drink, smoke, and chew gum in public areas during fasting hours in Dubai. While not everyone abides by this, I always try to be as respectful as possible. For example, unless I’m dining at a restaurant during the day, I never start drinking water or eating in front of people when I’m in public, in an office, or in a taxi.
Generally, you should just use common sense and be respectful.
What to wear during Ramadan in Dubai
As a general rule, both men and women should be respectful and dress a bit more conservatively during this time of year. That being said, you’ll find that a lot of visitors don’t abide by this. In certain areas, like the Dubai Marina, it’s like any other time of year and you’ll see people wearing shorts and tank tops.
But if you’re heading out to more conservative, family-friendly areas, like the Ramadan night markets in Bur Dubai or the Dubai Mall, ladies should cover their shoulders and knees and men should dress nicer than usual.
What is Iftar?
Iftar is when Muslims break their fast when the sun sets. People often gather at home with family for iftar, or here in Dubai, hotels offer lavish iftar buffets and restaurants offer special set meals (the latter are often excellent deals!). Whether you’re in a fancy hotel restaurant or out on the street, you’ll find people gathering in groups waiting to break their fast with a sip of water and a date before digging into their meal.
It’s more than likely that you’ll be asked to join an iftar, especially if you’re living in Dubai or traveling here for work. It’s a really fun and interesting experience, and I highly recommend enjoying at least one iftar during your trip!
What is Suhoor?
You’ll also find suhoors being offered by hotels and restaurants across the city. These take place in the wee hours of the morning before sunrise. So early birds should check one out, too!
What is Eid Al Fitr?
The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid Al Fitr, which is a big public holiday here in Dubai. Expect things to be pretty dead out during the first day of Eid, as Muslims tend to pray and stay home with family. But rest assured, there will be massive fireworks displays, fun festivities, massive sales, special performances, and much more held during the Eid holiday!
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