Ramadan in Morocco 2027: Dates, What's Open & Real Costs

Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so it moves about 11 days earlier each year. In 2027 it falls in February and early March. The exact start is only confirmed after the new crescent moon is sighted, so treat every date below as expected, not final.

Yes. Tourism carries on throughout the month, and there are no entry restrictions or special rules for foreign visitors. Flights, riads, trains, buses, taxis, desert tours and cooking classes all run as normal.

Many travelers say they enjoyed it more than expected. Daytime streets and souks are calmer, vendors tend to be less pushy, and popular sights and desert routes are often noticeably quieter because many tourists avoid the month. After sunset the cities fill up with families, food stalls and late night energy.

It is not the right choice for everyone, though. If nightlife, easy alcohol, or eating at small local restaurants is central to your trip, read the pros and cons section below before you book.

Most of the difference comes down to timing. Knowing the pattern makes planning simple.

Times below are approximate for Marrakech and Casablanca in February and March 2027. Check a daily prayer timetable for your city, and remember sunset shifts about a minute or two later each day through the month.

Until 2026, Morocco ran on GMT+1 all year except during Ramadan, when clocks went back one hour to GMT. That is why most older Ramadan guides tell you to expect a time change.

That rule is now outdated. Under Decree No. 2.26.530, published in the official bulletin on 29 June 2026, Morocco returned to GMT permanently on 20 September 2026 and ended the GMT+1 regime. Because Morocco is already on GMT, no Ramadan specific clock change is expected in 2027.

In practical terms, Morocco in February and March 2027 runs on the same time as the UK, and one hour behind France, Spain and Italy until Europe's clocks go forward on 28 March. Check your phone's time zone after landing, and double check the departure time printed on any train, bus or tour ticket booked online.

Non-Muslim visitors are allowed to eat, drink and smoke in Morocco during Ramadan. Article 222 of the Moroccan Penal Code applies to Muslims who openly break the fast in a public place. It does not apply to non-Muslim foreigners.

Even so, discretion is the polite approach. Eat at a restaurant or café that is open rather than walking down a medina street with a sandwich. Keep sips of water brief and low key, avoid smoking in front of people, and be thoughtful around guides, drivers and hotel staff who are fasting.

Muslim travelers who are not fasting should be more careful. The law is aimed at openly breaking the fast in public, so eat inside your hotel, riad or a restaurant that is open instead of on the street. This is general information, not legal advice.

Yes, plenty are, especially in tourist cities. Hotel restaurants, riad dining rooms, international chains and cafés that depend on visitors stay open all day, and you can usually sit outside and eat normally. Riads and hotels serve breakfast to guests as usual.

The places that close are the neighborhood snack bars and local cafés aimed at Moroccans. Many reopen at iftar and stay open late. In smaller towns the choice during the day is narrower, so look up your lunch options in advance and keep a backup.

Plan dinner after iftar, around 7:30 PM or later. Some restaurants close briefly at sunset or serve only drinks while the kitchen catches up, so do not expect a table at the exact moment the sun goes down.

Most things are open, just on adjusted schedules. In tourist areas of Marrakech, vendors expect early visitors, so you may find shops open earlier than in local neighborhoods. Elsewhere, souks open later in the morning and stay busy until late at night.

Major sights such as the Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace, Badi Palace and the Saadian Tombs generally stay open during Ramadan, though some close for an hour or two at midday. Check the hours on the day, since they can change during the month.

In Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque runs a reduced guided tour schedule during Ramadan, mainly in the morning with one early afternoon slot. Confirm current times with the Mosque Foundation before you go, since this is the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims.

Alcohol is harder to find. Retail sales from supermarket liquor sections stop, and many independent bars and restaurants stop serving. Some hotel bars and licensed tourist venues, mainly in Marrakech (Gueliz and Hivernage), Casablanca and Agadir, may still serve non-Muslim guests. Each venue decides for itself, so call ahead.

Never carry bottles openly in the street, and avoid drinking anywhere public. If a drink with dinner matters to you, check with your hotel before you arrive. For prices and rules the rest of the year, see our nightlife guide.

Ramadan does not make Morocco automatically cheaper, but it can reduce costs in a few places. Hotel and riad demand tends to be softer because domestic travel slows, though there is no guaranteed discount, so compare prices for your dates.

Timing matters in 2027. Ramadan ends around 10 March and Western Easter falls on 28 March, so prices tend to climb again in the weeks after Eid when European spring holidays begin. For the lowest rates and quietest sights, travel in the first three weeks of the month. See our best time to visit guide for how seasons affect flights and riads.

Everyday prices stay the same. Meters in petit taxis do not change, and the 50 percent night surcharge after 8 PM still applies, which matters because most of your evening travel will be after iftar. See our taxi fares guide.

Public transport runs throughout Ramadan, but timetables can shift. Always check times for your exact date.

Larger tourist cities are the easiest, and smaller towns need a little more planning.

Ramadan 2027 falls in a cool part of the year, which is actually a benefit. Days in Marrakech are typically mild, evenings are cool, and desert and mountain nights can get close to freezing. The north, including Tangier and Chefchaouen, is more likely to see rain. See our best time to visit guide for more on seasons.

Pack warm layers and a light rain jacket. Modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is a sensible choice during Ramadan, especially outside modern city districts and beach towns. See our dos and don'ts guide for dress norms.

A few small habits go a long way. None of them require you to fast or change your trip.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is expected around 10 March 2027. It is celebrated for two public holiday days, and the exact date is confirmed after the moon sighting a day or so before.

On the first day of Eid, many small shops, neighborhood cafés and offices close while families visit relatives and eat together. Tourist restaurants, hotels and larger attractions mostly stay open, but expect some closures and quiet streets in local areas.

Travel is the biggest practical issue. The days before Eid see packed stations and higher bus fares as people head home, and ONCF usually adds extra trains but runs fewer on Eid day itself. Book intercity tickets early, avoid traveling the day before and the day of Eid if possible, and keep a flexible plan for the first day.

This Marrakech and Essaouira plan puts sightseeing in the quiet mornings, rest in the afternoon and dinner after iftar. See our itinerary guide for longer routes.

It comes down to what you want from the trip. Here is an honest summary.

A short list of things worth confirming closer to your dates.