Plan around Ramadan
Ramadan dates (2025–2030)
| Year | Start (1st Ramadan, approx) | End (29/30 Ramadan) | Eid al-Fitr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 1 | Mar 30 | Mar 30–Apr 1 |
| 2026 | Feb 18 | Mar 19 | Mar 20–22 |
| 2027 | Feb 7 | Mar 8 | Mar 9–11 |
| 2028 | Jan 27 | Feb 25 | Feb 26–28 |
| 2029 | Jan 15 | Feb 13 | Feb 14–16 |
| 2030 | Jan 5 | Feb 2 | Feb 3–5 |
Dates based on Umm al-Qura calendar. The first day may shift ±1 day based on moon sighting.
What changes during Ramadan
Restrictions
- Restaurants closed during daylight (many use them)
- No public eating, drinking, smoking in public
- Music/loud entertainment dialed down during day
- Work hours: typically 6 hrs (e.g., 10:00–15:00)
- School hours shortened
Opportunities
- Ramadan nights are vibrant: hotels, malls, souqs stay open late
- Iftar buffets at luxury hotels (book 1–2 weeks ahead)
- Free Ramadan tents (mawa'id) for Iftar (free meal)
- Cultural events concentrated in Jeddah, Riyadh
- Souqs have late-night crowds; cooler shopping hours
How to read
- Foreign tourists are exempt from public fasting rules. Eating in your hotel room is fine; eating in public is socially discouraged but not enforced.
- Iftar (breaking the fast) is the social moment — sunset meal shared with colleagues. Hotels offer paid Iftar buffets; many have free tents too.
- Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal; some restaurants open 02:00–05:00 for it.
- The last 10 days are more conservative; many Muslims spend them in I'tikaf (spiritual retreat at the mosque).
Limitations
• Ramadan starts based on moon sighting; the date above is best estimate.
• Public fasting enforcement varies; in conservative neighbourhoods, eating publicly can attract a mutawwa.
• Some tourist activities (desert tours) may pause during Ramadan.
FAQ
Can I eat in public?
As a foreign tourist, technically yes; socially, no. Eat discreetly in your hotel or accommodation.
Are tourist sites open?
Yes — Diriyah, AlUla, museums, theme parks are open during Ramadan with adjusted hours.
Sources
- Ramadan calendar — Umm al-Qura, Saudi government.
- Tourism adjustments — Visit Saudi guidance.