Q&A Guide for Non-Muslim Visitors during Ramadan
One of the big areas of concern for non-Muslim visitors to the UAE is how to behave during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Whilst the basic cultural behaviours for entering a Muslim country can be easy to grasp, visitors need to take a few extra steps during Ramadan in Abu Dhabi to ensure they are respectful.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Following the Hijri calendar, the start date of Ramadan is approximately 10 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar. In 2026 Ramadan will fall over March-February; the moon sighting committee confirms the exact start date.
Ramadan 1447 in the United Arab Emirates will start on 19 February and last for 29/30 days
One of the Five Pillars of Worship of Islam—Saum—is fasting during the holiest month of the year. Muslims must abstain from eating and drinking (among other things) between sunrise and sunset to teach themselves self-awareness, patience, and tolerance. It is said that by fasting, the soul is purified of evil influence, and a person’s faith in Allah becomes stronger.
If you are visiting in future years, this is a good source for finding out when Islamic holidays will fall:
What Do Non-Muslim Tourists & Residents In Abu Dhabi Need To Observe During Ramadan?
Non-Muslim expat residents and visitors to the Middle East are responsible for making sure there is a suitable environment for Muslims to observe Ramadan. Although you are not expected to join in with the fasting, you must show respect to those who are through your conduct.
Eating, drinking, and smoking in public places by adults during Ramadan is prohibited.
HOWEVER, contrary to laws that carry fines of up to AED 2000 for eating in public during Ramadan, general practice in Abu Dhabi has significantly changed over the last five years.
Eating establishments previously needed licenses to operate during daylight hours of Ramadan and blacked-out windows or curtain partitions. These requirements seemed to all but cease completely during Ramadan 2019, with dining establishments even asked to remove their blackout curtains; customers were advised they would not be fined.
On 6 April 2021, The Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi confirmed tourist and hotel establishments to provide catering services during Ramadan without installing curtains or partitions. This continued during the next three Ramadans, so it appears to be a permanent policy change.
Undoubtedly, you can still obtain food and drink in hotels and shopping malls in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan (this wasn’t always the case—be careful not to follow outdated information). However, walking around eating and drinking in public during Ramadan in Abu Dhabi is socially unacceptable, even if it is technically no longer illegal.
In the privacy of your own home or hotel room, you can do as you please.
What About Children During Ramadan In Abu Dhabi?
Younger children, especially those under six years old, are not expected to participate in fasting, Muslim and non-Muslim. Pre-pubescent children between seven and 12 years old may start to observe fasting for short periods at a time. On reaching puberty, participation by all Muslims (with some exceptions mentioned below) is required.
Schools in Abu Dhabi will start later and finish earlier during Ramadan. Individual schools will advise opening hours but are generally restricted to a maximum of 5-hour days. (The education authority ADEK has capped school hours this year to a maximum of 5 hours between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM)
You should see no change for younger children who attend nursery or playgroups, though hours may be reduced. Children should be fed as usual when they are hungry and dressed appropriately for the weather.
Exceptions To Fasting
There are many circumstances under which a Muslim can be exempted from fasting. This includes pregnant women, diabetics, breastfeeding mums, women who are menstruating, the sick, and those who are of old age. The basic premise is that you should not participate if it harms your health.
For a non-Muslim who is pregnant or breastfeeding, you should still avoid eating or drinking in public; likewise, for children between six and 12 years, it may be allowed, but even Muslims will do this in a discreet and private way so as not to offend others.
If you are travelling through one of the country’s major international airports, you will see full food services operating as travellers are exempt from fasting. (In case you are wondering, Muslims make up any fasting days while travelling on a later date).
Breaking of the Fast – Iftar
The fast is broken at maghrib (the sunset prayer time) by a cannon firing (midfa al iftar). This is followed by the sound of azan echoing from the loudspeaker of a mosque.
In Abu Dhabi, the cannon is traditionally fired from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. We understand additional locations this year will include Qasr al Hosn, Umm al Emarat Park, and Al Shahama City in Formula parking (TBC the exact schedule for 2026).
If you are also visiting Dubai during Ramadan, you can capture the cannon being fired with Dubai Police at 6 stationary locations, including Expo City and Burj Park under the Burj Khalifa, as well as a travelling cannon – find the full Dubai Ramadan cannon locations for Ramdan 1446 here.
Iftar is literally the breaking of the fast, the meal taken immediately after sunset. This is a time for families to come together and eat a shared meal. Usually, an immediate snack of water and dates is taken before prayers, followed by a large meal with traditional dishes.
Many of the hotels in Abu Dhabi will put together huge buffet extravaganzas and Ramadan dining tents for Iftar. It is an incredibly unique experience to join in with Iftar celebrations and partake in local traditions with the Muslim community.
You’ll find our guide to the best Iftar Buffets in Abu Dhabi for 2026 over here
When is Iftar in Abu Dhabi?
Iftar timings vary by the city as it occurs at sunset for that exact location. Whilst the cannon is considered the “official time,” you can estimate the likely time based on when Maghrib is. (NB Iftar time in Abu Dhabi is always a few minutes later than Dubai as it is further west).
After Iftar, the city really springs to life again in the evenings. If you’re looking for a destination in the city to experience the festivities and community spirit, check out our guide to Ramadan market locations in Abu Dhabi. This is a superb way to feel a part of the local community.
Suhoor
As the fast begins again at sunrise, Suhoor is traditionally the meal taken before sunrise.
Again, many hotels will provide suhoor on a grand scale, some starting their suhoor offering as soon as iftar is cleared and lasting throughout the night. You will notice Abu Dhabi very much becomes an all-night culture during Ramadan!
Find our guide to the best suhoors in Abu Dhabi for 2026 here
Other Things To Be Mindful of During Ramadan in Abu Dhabi 2026
Ramadan is not only about food for Muslims but also about abstention – including tobacco, sex, and music – and tolerance.
Appropriate dress standards must be observed in public (much more stringently enforced than usual). All grown-ups (including teens) should be dressed conservatively; look to have arms and legs covered in public – and certainly avoid cleavage and tight clothing. This said, just as dining rules have been relaxed recently, clothing rules seem to have followed suit.
Hold fire on any public displays of affection, avoid kissing, and even hand-holding between grown-ups (with your child is fine).
In that hour or so before sunset and Iftar, the patience of many is strongly tested, and you may experience some erratic driving. It is best to steer clear of the roads if you can. If you are going out for your evening meal, be mindful of letting others who might need it more go before you.
It is a time for peace and giving, so try to avoid shouting and anger, and especially no rude words or gestures.
Many workplaces will modify working hours throughout the holy month to accommodate the needs of those fasting, limiting work to 6 hours.
Shops may adopt very different opening times, with many closed all day and open through most of the night. Major supermarkets and Malls can even be open 24 hours a day! There’s usually no problem finding an open supermarket throughout the day for groceries; you politely shouldn’t consume anything until you get home.
Find a detailed guide to top Abu Dhabi attraction opening hours in Ramadan 1446 here, along with special offers that run throughout Ramadan.
Eid in Abu Dhabi Explained
To prevent any confusion, there are two Eid celebrations!
Eid al Fitr
Eid al-fitr is the festival of breaking the fast, occurring immediately after Ramadan. It is a time of festivities and daytime feasts for Muslim families; it is also when people dress in their new Eid clothes, ladies have their hair and henna done, and gift-giving occurs, among other celebrations.
It is a very busy time in Abu Dhabi and also a public holiday—usually four days, but for Government departments, this may be extended to a week (at a minimum, the last day of Ramadan and the first three days of Shawwāl tend to be granted.
The exact date of Eid is also determined by moon sighting. If the crescent moon for the new month (Shawwāl) is not sighted on the 29th day of Ramadan, Ramadan will last for a full 30 days.
Eid al-Fitr public holiday in Abu Dhabi is likely to commence on 19 March
Charity or Zakat—another of the Five Pillars of Islam—is considered very important during Eid celebrations, as is giving and thoughtfulness to those less fortunate. You may see a number of white tents popping up all over town even before Ramadan starts. These are for making donations to the needy—it can be a good way to get your children involved in Ramadan and help them understand the importance of giving.
Eid al-Adha
“The festival of the sacrifice” occurs approximately 70 days after the end of Ramadan. Arafat Day falls first, on the second day of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca – the 9th Day of Dhu Al Hijja on the Hijri calendar.
Eid al-Adha immediately follows this. Animals such as sheep or goats are sacrificed, and tradition dictates a third is eaten by the family, a third is given to relatives and friends, and a third is given to the needy.
This is another three to four-day public holiday, though it can be extended to a week also for Government departments and schools (always announced very last minute)
Arafat day in Abu Dhabi is due to occur on 25 May 2026, and Eid al-Adha 27 to 29 May 2026, although exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon.
Should I Visit Abu Dhabi During Ramadan?
Many visitors unfamiliar with Islamic culture are understandably nervous when they learn they will be visiting the city during Ramadan. Is there anything you really should worry about? Are there Abu Dhabi Ramadan rules that may catch you short?
Here we take you through some of the questions we have received over the years to put your mind at ease:
Yes and No! As we explained above, you should not eat in public places or in front of those fasting out of respect. The rules around this are changing, and most cafes and restaurants are now open, but it is still respectful to remain discreet. Certainly, avoid daytime eating while walking along the street, but you will find food can be openly eaten now in shopping centres, cafes, and restaurants.
Muslims indeed refrain from even drinking water; however, as a tourist, you can do so discreetly (though common practice we have seen last few years people openly drinking water while out exercising, etc – even as non-Muslims we still feel this is wrong!)
Tourists are expected to dress slightly higher standards during Ramadan. While our dress code advice here discusses shorts and t-shirts being fine for most of the year, extra effort should be made to cover shoulders and knees during Ramadan.
If you are staying at an Abu Dhabi resort, you can wear your swimwear in the appropriate parts of the hotel as you would year-round.
Yes, non-Muslims are very welcome to attend an Iftar and enjoy the unforgettable experience of this shared meal. You should dress respectfully for the occasion and be mindful to let those who have been fasting all day go first.
Another area that has evolved over the years is alcohol. As we discuss here, non-Muslim tourists are allowed to drink in Abu Dhabi. However, it can be a little different during Ramadan. Alcohol may not be served at certain bars during the day, but bottle shops now seem to remain open.
Most restaurants and certainly Ramadan tents will NOT serve alcohol with Iftar, but it’s variable. If they advertise “hops & grapes” or similar wording, then it means alcohol IS included.
When travelling through the airport, alcohol used to NOT be served during the day in AUH or DXB, but we found it was allowed in 2019—and seems to have remained this way ever since.
Contrary to popular belief, most attractions in Abu Dhabi WILL remain open throughout Ramadan, especially those catering to tourists, such as theme parks, mosques, and museums.
There may be variations in those opening hours, though (some venues stay open until quite late at night), but certainly don’t expect popular attractions to shut up shop for a month completely!
Here are the adjusted opening hours for the Grand Mosque during Ramadan.
Ramadan Kareem or Mubarak Ramadan are both polite greetings to use.
During Ramadan, you may find cheaper flight and accommodation packages than at other times of the year. Although now that Ramadan sits firmly during March, the peak tourism season for the UAE, this is no longer the case!
It is also an incredibly joyful time of year. The city comes alive in the evenings, and it truly is a time of joy and celebration for Muslims.
Final Thoughts On Ramadan In Abu Dhabi
Remember to park any opinions you may have about whether it is “right” or “healthy” or any other beliefs contrary to the Pillars of Islam; whether you are a visitor or an expatriate resident, you are a guest in the country, and these are the rules that must be observed.
If you’re interested in learning more about correct etiquette for tourists in the UAE and rules that must be observed under Islamic Law, make sure you visit our ‘Abu Dhabi Do’s And Don’ts‘ guide before your visit.
Before you go… Important Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page; it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack, as well as top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Start planning your itinerary around the 60+ top places to visit in Abu Dhabi
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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