If you're planning to visit Dubai between March and August, chances are your Dubai vacation will coincide with the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of religious significance for Muslims in Dubai and around the world, ending with the celebration of Eid-Al-Fitr. In 2023, Ramadan is scheduled to begin on March 22.
Although the exact start of the month of Ramadan may change according to the dates of the lunar Islamic calendar (where it is always the ninth month), it's worth noting that traveling to Dubai during Ramadan can be different from staying outside Ramadan. Dubai is home to a large number of expatriates and residents of other nationalities and religions. The importance of being aware of and showing respect for local culture and difference cannot be overstated.
If you're visiting Dubai during Ramadan, you need to have a basic understanding of appropriate behavior and the rules spoken and unspoken in Dubai during Ramadan. That's why I've written this guide to help you understand what to expect, whether you're a tourist or moving to Dubai.
What is the holy month of Ramadan?
One of the five pillars of Islam, the holy month of Ramadan is a month of fasting for Muslims, which serves to foster spiritual growth through the practice of self-control, abstinence, prayer, discipline, patience and gratitude.
Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from sunrise to sunset, and train themselves to control their desires and bad habits in order to reflect on life's gifts, appreciate them and find balance. The act of fasting (siyam) itself is just one part of a larger exercise aimed at improving a person's character by purifying their body, mind and soul, and learning to rid themselves of resentment, arrogance, vanity and other bad character traits.
The emphasis is on charity, benevolence, compassion and kindness. Muslims rise before sunrise to pray and eat a small meal called Suhoor before the morning prayer (Fajr) that begins the day's fast. The fast is broken at sunset during Iftar, in the company of family, friends and loved ones, and is a festive affair.
Dubai during Ramadan: what to expect
À Dubaï, pendant le Ramadan, on peut sentir la ville plus lente que d’habitude, car les horaires de travail changent généralement pour s’adapter aux heures de jeûne. Le jeûne n’est pas facile, compte tenu des températures à Dubaï à cette période de l’année.
Si vous venez en business trip et que vous allez travailler à Dubaï pendant le Ramadan, sachez que les horaires de travail réduits et les pauses en milieu de journée sont courants. Il est préférable de programmer vos réunions en fin de matinée en conséquence, car de nombreux bureaux ne travaillent pas après 14/15 heures.
For most fasting Muslims, it's a time of prayer and family time.
In the evening, as the sun sets, you can hear the cannons ringing around Dubai to announce the end of the fasting day and the start ofIftar.
Food and drink during Ramadan in Dubai
During the day, until sunset when the fast is broken, it is forbidden to eat, drink or smoke in public places in Dubai during Ramadan. Failure to comply may result in a fine. We're talking here about not chewing gum, or even taking a sip of water when you're strolling through a shopping mall like the Dubai Mall or out on the town.
These rules apply to ALL public spaces such as metro stations, buses, Old Dubai or one of Dubai's chic new promenades. You need to pay attention, as there are no exceptions, even when it's very hot in Dubai in summer. If you need a sip of water, you can drink it in a private, enclosed space - like the toilet in a metro station or an operational food court in a shopping mall. But that doesn't mean that, as a tourist, you'll go hungry in Dubai during Ramadan. So, are restaurants open in Dubai during Ramadan? The short answer is yes.
Can you eat in Dubai during Ramadan?
Although it is forbidden to eat, drink or smoke in public places, you will find restaurants and cafés in Dubai that serve meals during the day. Whereas previously they did so indoors, behind covered windows or drawn curtains or blinds, and needed special licenses to serve food during fasting hours, this is no longer the case - since 2021, restaurants and cafés have been doing business as usual.
Food courts, cafés and restaurants, whether stand-alone or integrated into shopping centers, retail districts or hotels, will serve meals throughout the day.
Dubai cinemas have also started serving food to non-fasting moviegoers at the snack bar. If you're visiting a theme park, there will certainly be restaurants serving food during the day.
Iftar in Dubai during Ramadan
The tradition of Iftar during Ramadan in Dubai is well worth experiencing. Throughout the city, traditional tents are set up and sumptuous buffets are offered to everyone, whether Muslims are fasting or not. Fasting Muslims usually break their fast with a sip of water and dates, before moving on to the rest of the meal.
After sunset, almost every restaurant, regardless of the cuisine it serves, has an attractive offer for Iftar. Iftar is usually a buffet of starters, side dishes, main courses and desserts, all at a reasonable price.
It's common to receive invitations toIftar from friends, neighbors or colleagues. Be polite and accept when you can. After all, it's a great way to discover an important local tradition. If you're attending an Iftar, be sure to dress modestly.
Can you drink alcohol in Dubai during Ramadan?
Nightlife in Dubai during Ramadan
Nightlife in Dubai during Ramadan is much quieter, and you won't find any parties, ladies' nights or nightclubs in operation, even if the offer is tending to evolve.
However, this doesn't mean that Dubai goes to bed early during Ramadan - far from it. The city takes on a festive air after sunset, once the fast is broken, and you'll find people in the city's night markets and shopping malls.
AfterIftar, fasting Muslims and other nationalities living in Dubai find themselves strolling through the night markets, drinking tea, snacking, shopping and so on. It's a great excuse to discover a different kind of nightlife in Dubai.
Many shopping malls also operate late into the night, providing an excellent opportunity to do some shopping.
How to dress in Dubai during Ramadan?
Experience an Iftar in Dubai during Ramadan
An Iftar in Dubai is more than just a cultural tradition of feasting after sunset. While it's a great way to learn about Ramadan customs and sample delicious local dishes, in modern, cosmopolitan Dubai, an iftar is also a reflection of how different cultures live and thrive in a city like Dubai.
For me, it's a beautiful thing to see Emiratis, Jordanians, Indians, Americans, Germans and Filipinos breaking the fast together at an Iftar table, be they friends or colleagues. This camaraderie around a tradition that may not even be part of their culture fills my heart with pride for my hometown.
Guided Iftar walk in Old Dubai
Should you travel to Dubai during Ramadan?
Although many Dubai residents leave the city during Ramadan, Ramadan is a good time to visit Dubai if you like the idea of fewer crowds and lower hotel rates. Ramadan usually takes place in summer or early summer, and as it's not exactly the best time to visit Dubai, it's the low tourist season.
Dubai is a much quieter city during Ramadan, if you like that kind of atmosphere. The advantage is that you'll see fewer crowds at popular and otherwise crowded attractions like the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa.
Who doesn't like to shop and visit a little more leisurely? Plus, there are incredible sales and discounts up for grabs.
