Ramadan in Fes: 2027 Dates, Atmosphere and Travel Tips

Should you avoid Fes during Ramadan? Many travellers wonder, and our answer is rather the opposite: the holy month offers a rare chance to discover the city in a different light, more spiritual and warmer. You simply need to accept a different rhythm. Here is what you need to know to travel to Fes during Ramadan, with the expected dates, how a day unfolds and the customs to respect. To choose the season of your trip, see also the best time to visit Fes.

Ramadan in a nutshell

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this month, observant Muslims fast from dawn to sunset: no food, no drink, no smoking. It is a time of prayer, sharing and family life, ending with the festival of Eid al-Fitr.

Ramadan dates in 2027

The lunar calendar moves about eleven days earlier each year relative to ours. In 2027, Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 February and end in early March, with Eid al-Fitr around 9 or 10 March. The exact dates depend on the sighting of the crescent moon and are confirmed the evening before in Morocco. In 2028, Ramadan is expected to begin in late January.

A day in Fes during Ramadan

• Morning: the medina wakes up slowly. Many stalls open later than usual and the lanes are calmer, ideal for sightseeing.
• Midday: local eateries are closed, but restaurants that welcome tourists and your riad keep serving.
• Afternoon: activity picks up around the markets. People buy chebakia, sellou, dates, msemen and everything needed for the evening meal. It is one of the liveliest moments of the day.
• Sunset: suddenly the streets empty. The call to prayer announces the breaking of the fast, the ftour (iftar), shared with family.
• Evening: the medina comes back to life. Cafés fill up, families stroll, mosques host the evening prayers, and the buzz lasts late into the night.

The ftour, the meal that breaks the fast

The ftour is a highly ritualised moment of sharing: the fast is broken with dates and milk or water, followed by harira, a soup of tomatoes, lentils and chickpeas, served with chebakia, sesame-and-honey pastries, boiled eggs, msemen, fruit juices and tea. A heartier dinner sometimes comes later in the evening. Tasting a ftour is one of the most powerful experiences of a stay during Ramadan; our food ideas are in what to eat in Fes.

Sightseeing and opening hours

Monuments stay open, often with shorter afternoon hours. Plan visits for the morning and early afternoon, and keep the late afternoon for wandering the markets before the ftour. The good news: the medina is quieter in the morning, which makes sightseeing more pleasant. Our selection of things to do in Fes still applies, with this small shift in timing.

Customs to respect

• You are not expected to fast, but avoid eating, drinking or smoking conspicuously in the street during the day.
• Dress to cover shoulders and knees, which is especially appreciated during this month.
• Alcohol is harder to find during Ramadan.
• Be patient in the late afternoon: fasting takes its toll, and traffic is heavy just before the ftour.
• A “Ramadan Mubarak” to the people you meet is always warmly received.

Before dawn: the suhoor

Before the dawn prayer, families eat a last light meal, the suhoor (shour in Morocco), to get through the day: bread, msemen, fresh cheese, dates, milk and sometimes soup. In some medina neighbourhoods, musicians once walked the lanes to wake residents; the tradition still survives here and there. In your riad, you may hear the household stir very early.

The most memorable nights

The twenty-seventh night of Ramadan, the Night of Destiny (Laylat al-Qadr), is especially revered: mosques are full, children are often dressed in traditional clothes, and the city is filled with particular fervour. The end of the month is marked by Eid al-Fitr, a family celebration; many shops close for a day or two.

The upsides of travelling during Ramadan

• A calmer medina in the morning and fewer visitors.
• Lively, warm evenings, very different from the rest of the year.
• A unique chance to understand Moroccan culture and spirituality.
• In 2027 and 2028, Ramadan falls in winter, with mild days; see Fes in winter.

The downsides to know

• Shorter or shifted opening hours for shops and monuments.
• Fewer restaurant options at lunchtime.
• Busy transport just before the ftour and during Eid.

Ramadan at La Petite Maison

During Ramadan, breakfast is served to our guests as usual, and dinner can be prepared on request the day before; ask us if you would like to taste a traditional ftour, with harira, dates and chebakia. We also advise you on visiting hours and the best moments to enjoy the medina’s evenings. Browse our rooms, discover the riad or write to us with your dates; and to choose your area, read where to stay in Fes.