lifestyle
Ramadan in Saudi Arabia — Complete Guide for Expats and Visitors
Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is a deeply significant month that transforms the rhythm of daily life across the entire country. Working hours shift, restaurants close during the day, the nights become lively, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else in the calendar. For expats and visitors, understanding how Ramadan works makes the experience far more enjoyable — and avoids unintentional offence. This guide explains everything you need to know.
Highlights
- ★Ramadan lasts approximately 30 days. In 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin around late February and end in late March.
- ★Eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is prohibited for everyone — including non-Muslim expats and visitors.
- ★Working hours are reduced by law: private sector employees work a maximum of 6 hours/day during Ramadan.
- ★Restaurants, cafes, and most shops are closed during the day. Everything comes alive after Iftar (sunset).
- ★Iftar (breaking the fast at sunset) is a major social event — many companies host Iftar gatherings, and the atmosphere in restaurants is festive.
- ★The last 10 nights of Ramadan (especially Laylat Al Qadr) are particularly significant — expect mosques to be busiest and the city to feel especially alive.
Who Is This For?
Expats living in Saudi Arabia and visitors arriving during Ramadan who want to understand what changes, what is expected of them, and how to make the most of the month.
Practical Tips
- 💡Do not eat, drink, or smoke in public during daylight hours — this applies to all residents and visitors regardless of religion. Doing so is disrespectful and can result in a fine.
- 💡Eating and drinking in private (your home, office, or a non-public area) is perfectly fine for non-Muslims — you are not expected to fast.
- 💡Working hours are shorter — expect slower government services, longer waits, and reduced productivity in the first half of the day. Plan accordingly.
- 💡Traffic is extremely heavy just before Iftar and continues to be busy late into the night. Give yourself extra time for journeys around sunset.
- 💡Most restaurants open for Iftar (at sunset) and stay open until 2–3am or later. Some serve Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) until Fajr prayer.
- 💡Supermarkets and delivery apps (Noon, HungerStation, Jahez) operate normally throughout Ramadan — you can order food for delivery inside your home during the day.
- 💡Dress more conservatively during Ramadan — the standard dress guidelines apply even more firmly during the holy month.
- 💡If invited to an Iftar dinner by a Saudi colleague or friend, accept — it is one of the most memorable social experiences in Saudi Arabia.
- 💡Entertainment and live events are significantly reduced during the first half of Ramadan. The last 10 nights see even more activity cease as the month becomes more spiritual.
- 💡Eid Al Fitr follows Ramadan — a 3–10 day public holiday. Confirm your office's holiday schedule in advance and book travel early as flights fill up quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-Muslims eat and drink in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan?
Non-Muslims are not expected to fast, but eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight hours is prohibited for everyone. In private — your home, hotel room, or a private office — you can eat and drink freely. Some malls and hotels have screened-off areas for daytime eating during Ramadan.
What are the working hours during Ramadan?
By Saudi labor law, working hours in the private sector are reduced to a maximum of 6 hours per day (36 hours per week) during Ramadan for Muslim employees. Non-Muslim employees typically follow the same reduced schedule in practice, though technically only Muslim employees are legally entitled to reduced hours.
Are restaurants and cafes open during Ramadan?
Most restaurants and cafes close during the day and open at Iftar (sunset). Some hotels and malls have areas open during the day for non-Muslim residents with screened or separated sections. After Iftar, restaurants are extremely busy and lively — often staying open until 2–3am.
What is Iftar and how do I join one?
Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. It begins with dates and water, followed by a full meal. Iftar is a deeply social occasion in Saudi Arabia — many companies host Iftar gatherings for employees, mosques provide public Iftar for all, and upscale restaurants offer elaborate Iftar buffets. If a Saudi colleague or acquaintance invites you to Iftar, it is a genuine gesture of hospitality — accepting is greatly appreciated.
What is Suhoor?
Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal eaten before the Fajr (dawn) prayer marks the beginning of the day's fast. Many restaurants offer Suhoor menus from around midnight until just before Fajr. Suhoor has become a popular late-night social event in Saudi Arabia, especially in the last two weeks of Ramadan.
Is alcohol available during Ramadan?
Alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia at all times — Ramadan does not change this. The enforcement of all social guidelines is stricter during Ramadan.
When is Ramadan 2026 and 2027?
Ramadan dates follow the Islamic lunar calendar and shift approximately 10 days earlier each year. Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin around 17 February 2026. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 7 February 2027. Exact start dates are confirmed by moon sighting, typically announced one day before.
Can I play music during Ramadan?
Loud music in public is discouraged during Ramadan, especially during prayer times. In private or in your car, it is fine. Restaurants and shops typically play lower-key background music or none at all. Avoid playing loud music near mosques.