Ramadan – the 9th and holiest month in the Islāmic year is the opportunity for many Muslims to be closer to Allah. Many travellers are not even aware of it when it is, or the impact that it may have on their trip. During the month many adult Muslims fast, and will refrain from, eating, drinking, having sex, and smoking between sunrise and sunset.
This year (2019), Ramadan begins on 5th May and will end on 4th June (depending on the moon).
Some countries or even parts of a country may be stricter than others. Do your research before you travel.
I’m not a Muslim (or any other religion), but I have travelled to several countries during Ramadan, sometimes I’ve fasted and sometimes I haven’t.
Damascus, Syria – 2001.
I spent 3 weeks in Damascus during Ramadan. I was staying with friends, and out respect for the household, I did fast. Almost all the food shops – bakeries, cafés and restaurants were closed until sunset. In the late afternoon and early evening, the traffic was more chaotic than normal as local people were travelling either to be with other family members, to restaurants or to a mosque. There was also a man who wandered the streets in the early hours ringing a bell to wake people up so that they could have a meal before sunrise.
A huge meal for all of the family. Iftar in Damascus, Syria.
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A – 2000.
I know that the U.S.A isn’t a Muslim country, but I was staying with a family who is. Again, out of respect for them, I also said that I would fast. However, it appeared that I was the only one doing so, so I gave up!!! There were 5 family members living there. The father, I caught eating a burger during the day, he said ‘don’t tell my wife’! The mother was pregnant, so wasn’t obliged to fast. The eldest son, I caught eating fries during the day, he said ‘don’t tell my dad’! The two youngest children were not fasting. Each to their own, I suppose, but if no one else was doing it, I wasn’t going to cause any offence if I continued to eat and drink as normal. If you’re in the U.S.A during Ramadan, you can expect life to continue as normal.
Luxor – Aswan, Egypt – 2012
I was in Egypt during the latter stages of Ramadan and Eid the religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. For the majority of my time there I was on a cruise along the River Nile. Food, drink and alcohol were served as normal throughout my stay. Whenever the boat docked, I didn’t have a problem finding food or drink to buy. I did not fast. This is more than likely due to the typical tourist attractions that I was visiting though, and I would expect it to be different in the non-tourist areas.
Handing out sweets to the local children in Egypt during Eid.
Kirkisrak & Kayseri, Turkey – 2015
In Turkey’s main tourist places along the Mediterranean and the Aegean coast and in major cities such as Istanbul, you will still find plenty of restaurants open. In your hotel, you can expect food, drink and alcohol to be served as normal. Away from the main tourist areas, the majority of people will be observing Ramadan. I was in central Turkey, staying at my friend’s house, they are not religious so I didn’t fast. When I left their house and went into Kayseri (the nearest city), most restaurants were only open after sunset. It was a surreal experience waiting for sunset before you could tuck into the delicious Turkish food.
Everyone waiting for sunset before they begin eating. Kayseri, Turkey.
17 Tips to Consider When Travelling During Ramadan.
- Get to know the local laws and customs of each country that you are travelling to. Some countries are much stricter than others.
- You are in a foreign country. Show respect and be courteous to other people’s beliefs and culture.
- Remember that the waiters and bar staff are probably fasting. They will be tired, hungry, thirsty and likely to feel irritable. Have patience with them!
- In many countries, you might be woken in the early hours of the morning by someone ringing a bell. This is to wake people up so they have time to eat before sunrise. If you don’t want to be disturbed, take ear plugs. If you are unable to sleep, switch your light on to show that you are awake. The bell-ringer should then move on.
- Avoid public displays of affection.
- During daylight hours, don’t smoke in public.
- Traffic and public transport are likely to be busier around sunset.
- Avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours.
- Be aware that shops may close completely during the day, or have reduced opening hours.
- If you are travelling within a Muslim country during Ramadan, you should consider booking your tickets in advance.
- If you are visiting a mosque, it may be busier than normal.
- Dress modestly.
- If you are going out for the day, take some food and drink with you. But remember to eat it discretely.
- If you are lucky enough to get invited to Iftar – the meal that breaks the daily fast, then you should go. It’s a great experience.
- During Eid take some sweets out with you to give out to local children.
- Consider booking a table at a restaurant or café in advance. They will be busy at night.
- Many local parks will be deserted during the day. In Turkey, we went to Gökpınar Gölü and had the entire place to ourselves.
Gökpınar Gölü, Turkey. We were the only people there.
Have you travelled during Ramadan? If so, what were your experiences?