Ramadan in Saudi Arabia: The Complete Guide for Expats and Visitors

Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest month in Islam, during which Muslims around the world fast from dawn (Fajr prayer) to sunset (Maghrib prayer) for 29 or 30 days, abstaining from food, water, smoking, and sexual relations during daylight hours. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it obligatory for every adult Muslim who is physically able.

But Ramadan is far more than just abstaining from food and drink. It is a month of spiritual reflection, increased prayer, charitable giving, and community. Muslims believe the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan. The month is seen as an opportunity to develop self-discipline, empathy for the less fortunate, and a closer connection to God. Acts of charity (Sadaqah) increase dramatically during Ramadan - Saudis donate billions of riyals to charitable causes during this month.

In Saudi Arabia, Ramadan transforms the entire country. The rhythm of daily life shifts dramatically: the day becomes quiet and slow, and the night comes alive with energy, socializing, and celebration. Understanding this transformation is essential for anyone living in or visiting the Kingdom during the holy month.

Exact dates depend on moon sighting and are confirmed by the Saudi Supreme Court 1-2 days before. Ramadan shifts approximately 10-11 days earlier each Gregorian year. In 2026, Ramadan falls in winter, meaning shorter fasting hours (~12 hours) and cooler temperatures - a much easier experience than summer Ramadans.

Fasting hours in Saudi Arabia depend on location. In Riyadh during a February/March Ramadan, fasting is approximately from 5:15am to 5:45pm(~12.5 hours). Summer Ramadans (which won't occur again until the 2040s) can mean 15+ hours of fasting in extreme heat.

Non-Muslims are not required to fast during Ramadan, but they must respect certain rules in public. These are legally enforceable and taken seriously in Saudi Arabia.

What you must not do in public during fasting hours

During fasting hours you must not eat or drink anything in public spaces, on the street, in your car if it is visible to others, or in shared workplaces, and this includes food, water, coffee, and any other beverage. Smoking and vaping are equally prohibited in all public areas, as is chewing gum, which people often forget falls under the same restriction. Loud music is generally discouraged in public during Ramadan, particularly during prayer times, so keep any personal audio at a discreet volume.

Where you can eat during fasting hours

You are free to eat and drink without restriction in your own home or apartment, and many companies set up a designated private room in the office where non-fasting employees can eat discreetly during the day. International hotels often continue serving daytime meals to guests behind screens or in closed areas, though it is worth checking with your specific hotel in advance, and expat residential compounds typically allow normal eating in their common areas throughout Ramadan.

Dress code

Dress more conservatively than usual during Ramadan. Cover shoulders and knees. Avoid tight, revealing, or flashy clothing in public. This applies to both men and women. Think of it as the dress code you'd adopt when visiting a religious site - modest, respectful, understated.

The daily rhythm during Ramadan is completely different from the rest of the year. Life essentially becomes nocturnal.

Iftar (breaking the fast)

Iftar is the most important meal of Ramadan, and the fast is traditionally broken with dates and water following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, after which Maghrib prayer is performed and a full meal follows. In Saudi Arabia, Iftar is a generous and communal affair that takes many forms. Home Iftars see families preparing elaborate spreads of sambusa (samosas), shorba (soup), rice dishes, grilled meats, salads, and a variety of sweets, and it is common to host extended family and neighbours to share the meal. Most mosques across Saudi Arabia provide free Iftar meals to anyone regardless of faith, with large mosques serving hundreds or even thousands of people each evening. Companies organise team Iftar dinners at restaurants to strengthen workplace bonds, and if you are invited you should absolutely attend, as it is a genuine sign of inclusion. Luxury hotels offer elaborate Iftar buffets ranging from 150 to 400 SAR per person with live cooking stations and traditional entertainment, and across the streets of every city, volunteers distribute free Iftar meals at traffic lights, construction sites, and labour camps, ensuring that nobody breaks their fast alone.

Suhoor (pre-dawn meal)

Suhoor is the meal eaten before dawn, before the fast begins, and while it is lighter than Iftar it is socially significant, especially on weekends when families and friends gather at restaurants and cafes that stay open until 3 or 4am with special Suhoor menus. The quintessential Suhoor dish is ful medames, slow-cooked fava beans with olive oil, lemon, and spices, and it is usually accompanied by eggs served scrambled, fried, or as shakshuka (eggs in tomato sauce), bread with labneh(thick strained yogurt drizzled with olive oil and za'atar), dates and Arabic coffee, and fruit and yogurt to provide hydration for the long fast ahead.

The Suhoor social scene is one of Ramadan's hidden gems. Groups of friends sitting at outdoor cafes at 2am, drinking tea, eating ful, and talking - it's a relaxed, uniquely Ramadan atmosphere that many expats come to love.

Saudi labor law mandates reduced working hours during Ramadan for Muslim employees: a maximum of 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week. In practice, most employers apply these reduced hours to all employees regardless of religion.

Productivity in offices tends to be lower during Ramadan, especially in the last hours before Iftar when energy levels drop. Many business decisions and approvals are delayed. If you have important deadlines or government paperwork, try to complete it before Ramadan begins or plan for delays.

Traffic

Traffic patterns shift dramatically. Roads are quiet in the morning, then get increasingly congested from 3pm onward as people rush home for Iftar. The 30 minutes before Iftar are the most dangerous time to drive - people race home and attention spans are at their lowest. Immediately after Iftar, roads empty for about an hour, then fill again as people head out for the evening. Late-night traffic (10pm-1am) is heavier than usual as malls and social venues stay open late.

Shopping and entertainment

Malls and shopping centers transform during Ramadan. They open later (typically 1pm), but stay open until 1-2am, creating a vibrant nighttime shopping culture. Many malls organize Ramadan decorations, cultural events, and special promotions. Cinemas continue operating with adjusted schedules. Live entertainment events are more subdued during the day but can be lively at night.

The spiritual atmosphere

Ramadan brings a palpable spiritual energy to Saudi Arabia. The call to prayer feels more significant. Mosques are fuller, with Taraweeh prayers(special Ramadan evening prayers) drawing large congregations. Quran recitation echoes from homes and mosques. Acts of charity are everywhere - from free Iftar distributions to clothing drives. The generosity is genuine and moving. Even if you're not Muslim, the atmosphere of collective devotion and community is deeply impressive.

Television and media

Ramadan is the biggest TV seasonin the Arab world - equivalent to sweeps week in the US or the Christmas TV schedule in the UK. Saudi and Arab networks premiere their most anticipated drama series, comedies, and reality shows during Ramadan. Families gather after Iftar to watch these shows together. Major advertisers launch their biggest campaigns. The cultural importance of Ramadan TV cannot be overstated - it's a national shared experience.

Stock up on groceries and water before Ramadan starts, as supermarkets become extremely crowded in the days leading up to the holy month and certain items like dates, Arabic coffee, and sambusa wrappers tend to sell out fast. If you can, adjust your sleep schedule gradually by shifting to sleeping later and waking later, and many expats find that a 1am to 9am sleep pattern works well during Ramadan.

Accept every Iftar invitation you receive from Saudi colleagues and neighbours, as this is when genuine cross-cultural friendships are built, and bring a small gift such as dessert, chocolate, or dates when visiting someone's home. At work, keep a water bottle in your desk drawer and eat discreetly, making an effort not to eat in front of fasting colleagues if you can avoid it. Be patient with slower service, reduced business hours, and tired employees, as everyone is adjusting to dramatically altered sleep and eating patterns, and avoid scheduling important meetings for the last 2 hours before Iftar, when concentration levels drop noticeably.

Avoid driving in the 30 minutes before Iftar, as this is statistically the most dangerous time on Saudi roads during Ramadan, with drivers rushing home and attention spans at their lowest. If you are curious, try fasting for a day out of solidarity, as many non-Muslim expats do this and your Saudi colleagues will be genuinely delighted and supportive. Make time to explore the Suhoor culture of late-night gatherings at restaurants and cafes, which is a uniquely relaxed and atmospheric Ramadan experience, and learn the key phrases: "Ramadan Kareem" (Generous Ramadan), "Ramadan Mubarak" (Blessed Ramadan), and "Taqabbal Allah" (May God accept your worship).

The last 10 nights of Ramadan are considered the most sacred period of the entire Islamic year. Muslims believe that one of these nights is Laylat al-Qadr(the Night of Power/Decree) - the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. The Quran states that worship on this single night is "better than a thousand months" (Quran, 97:3).

During the last 10 nights, spiritual intensity reaches its peak. Many Muslims perform I'tikaf - a spiritual retreat where they stay in the mosque for the entire 10-day period, spending their time in prayer, Quran recitation, and reflection. Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina are packed to maximum capacity during these nights, with millions of worshippers seeking Laylat al-Qadr.

For expats, the last 10 nights mean even later nights, more intense spiritual activity, and a palpable sense of anticipation. Charitable giving peaks during these nights. The atmosphere in Saudi Arabia during this period is unlike anything else - a combination of spiritual fervor, generosity, and community that is profoundly moving regardless of your personal faith.

The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr, the joyous celebration that follows a month of fasting.