The Magic of Marrakech during Ramadan

We hadn’t intentionally booked to travel to Marrakech during Ramadan. In fact, it hadn’t even crossed my mind when I clicked “Book Now” on those flights. Once we realised though, we embraced the idea that our first trip to the city would look a little different to that of other travellers.

We had LOTS of questions about travelling during Ramadan. Would shops and restaurants be closed? Would we be able to find somewhere to eat during the day? Or at sunset? Would it be quieter in the city? Or busier? And mainly, what should we expect travelling to Marrakech during Ramadan? So I thought I’d write about our experience of Ramadan in Marrakech.

What is Ramadan?

The period of Ramadan signifies the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The dates vary each year depending on the lunar cycle. In 2025 Ramadan began on 28th February. The end of Ramadan, marked by Eid al-Fitr, was Monday 31st March – the day that we travelled home from Marrakech. This can vary from country-to-country; the UK for instance celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Sunday 30th March.

During Ramadan, there’s fasting during daylight hours – no food, no water, no smoking (and no sex – although who’s having sex during daylight hours anyway?). By experiencing deprivation, Muslims are encouraged to empathize with those who are less fortunate and foster gratitude. They practice resisting sin whilst enhancing the good in their lives; one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It also commemorates the period when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad, making it a time of increased prayer.

Spiritual reflection and community celebration combine in a fascinating blend. For the period of Ramadan there’s a new daily rhythm, incorporating meals before dawn. Days begin early, to eat the pre-dawn meal Suhoor. Mornings are peaceful. As temperatures rise during the day, people shelter in shady spots to conserve energy. Streets are chaotic about an hour before sunset as people head home to break their fast with family and friends. Another call to prayer signifies sunset. For about an hour after the sun sets – during our stay this was around 18:49 – there is calm.

And then the city comes alive.

Nightfall brings a different side to Marrakech. Restaurants and market stalls typically stay open later, the scent of mint tea and fresh pastries permeating the air. Night markets buzz with energy. Streets fill with celebration. The area surrounding Koutoubia mosque is bustling with evening prayer. Daytime reflection makes way for gatherings, laughter and chatter amongst family and friends until the early hours.

What to expect travelling to Marrakech during Ramadan as a tourist

There are plenty of benefits of visiting during Ramadan – not least fewer tourists! Many visitors may choose not to travel at this time as they anticipate challenges. I was in a Facebook group – yes, what was I thinking – full of people who were complaining that their trip would be spoiled because they couldn’t buy alcohol or stroll around streets in skimpy clothing. “But it’s our holiday!” seemed to be their complaint. Methinks that Marrakech was not the place for them, Ramadan or not.

We however were eager to respect the local customs. Despite the soaring temperatures we heeded the importance of a modest dress code, something we would have done anyway in Marrakech regardless of Ramadan. We were respectful in areas around the city’s mosques, where communities gathered to share their devotion.

We tried to eat and drink discreetly where possible. Alcohol consumption is restricted, even for tourists, and some bars and restaurants do stop selling alcohol altogether. We were fully prepared to abstain but did find there were venues catering for tourists and non-Muslims. Marrakech is actually quite lenient towards tourists at this time. But if your holidays tend to revolve around alcohol and nightlife, travelling to Marrakech during Ramadan may not be ideal for you.

Fewer tourists meant that the medina, palaces and gardens are not as crowded as expected – even Jemaa El Fnaa wasn’t too crazy. And of course, accommodation and airfares are cheaper! But rooftop restaurants and bars were still busy so I’d recommend making reservations where possible. Particularly for those places that do serve alcohol… they seemed particularly popular with visitors.

If you’re in a restaurant around sunset you may find service a little slower than usual, or a break from service altogether whilst the staff break their fast. Happy staff = happy customers! We watched gleeful staff gather to break their fast on our final night. Our server even admitted that it had been tough to fast as they were approaching the end of Ramadan, and she couldn’t wait to celebrate the following day. Fasting people may be tired – and well, a little grumpy. I know I would be. But at the same time, we found locals to be tolerant and understanding; we extended them the same courtesy.

Some of the shops, restaurants and attractions had altered opening and closing hours, although those which cater for tourists were not heavily impacted. In fact, Marrakech is such a popular tourist destination that a lot of businesses in the city operate normally. Some stores were closed in the morning but opened up in the afternoon. Others stayed open until the early hours of the morning, in particular food stores. We did find that the main ATMs in the square had run out of money of the Sunday afternoon, but can’t comment on whether that was an impact of Ramadan or not.

Final thoughts:

Any fears we had about our trip being impacted were totally unfounded. In fact, I felt it gave us something of a breather from the madness of the medina. My favourite moments were listening to the city go quiet at sunset, the call to prayer echoing across the medina; and strolling the streets during those moments of calm.

Experiencing Marrakech during Ramadan felt like an authentic and enriching experience. Daytimes were serene whilst night-times were lively. Outside of Jemaa El Fna Square, locals were genuinely warm and hospitable. I felt like we got a real glimpse of the city’s spiritual and cultural heritage, often masked by the overwhelm experienced by tourists. If you’re travelling to Marrakech during Ramadan, please be respectful, patient and embrace the culture and traditions!