Morocco in Ramadan 2027: What Is Open and Should You Go?

Dates

In 2026, Ramadan began on 19 February and Eid al Fitr fell on 20 March. For 2027, expect the start around 7 or 8 February and Eid around 9 to 11 March. I update this page as soon as the dates are announced.

What changes for visitors

• Many local cafes close in the daytime, and tourist restaurants and hotels stay open.
• Life moves to the evening. After sunset the streets are busy and festive.
• Clocks go back one hour during Ramadan.
• Non Muslims are not expected to fast, but please avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public by day.
• Alcohol is harder to find, and many shops stop selling it for the month.

A day in Ramadan

Time	What happens
Before dawn	Suhoor, the last meal before the fast, announced in some medinas by a drummer or trumpet in the lanes
Daytime	Offices work shorter hours, many local cafes are closed, the streets are calm
Late afternoon	Markets fill as families buy dates, chebakia, bread and fresh juice
Sunset	The call to prayer and a cannon shot in some cities mark the iftar, and the streets empty for about an hour
Evening	Cafes, souks and squares come alive until late at night

The iftar table

The fast is broken with dates, milk or water, then harira soup, hard boiled eggs, msemen pancakes, chebakia honey cookies and sellou, a rich mix of toasted flour, almonds and sesame. Many riads offer an iftar to guests, and sharing one with a family is a highlight of a Ramadan trip. I am happy to arrange it.

Practical points

• Monuments, museums and gardens stay open, often with shorter hours.
• Roads are busy just before sunset, as everyone drives home, so we avoid long drives at that hour.
• Expect a slower pace in the afternoon, and plan the most active visits in the morning.
• The 27th night, Laylat al Qadr, is the most sacred night of the month, with mosques full until late.
• Eid al Fitr, at the end of the month, is a family holiday of one or two days when some shops and restaurants close.

Ramadan in the coming years

Ramadan moves about eleven days earlier each year. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around Monday 8 February, and Ramadan 2028 around late January. If your dates are flexible and you prefer a normal pace, choose another month. If you are curious, it can be one of the most memorable times to see Morocco.

Should you go?

If you love atmosphere and do not mind a slower daytime, Ramadan can be moving, and prices for hotels are often lower. If you want long active days with lunch stops in local places, choose another month. Read the best time to visit Morocco to compare.