# Travelling in Egypt during Ramadan: what changes and what does not

- Page: https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/blog/ramadan-travel-egypt-guide
- Published: 2026-10-07
- Last updated: 2026-10-07
- Topics: planning, culture

Ramadan can be a rewarding time to visit Egypt, but opening hours, eating in public and the rhythm of the day change. Here is what to expect and how to plan.

WHEN RAMADAN FALLS

Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so it moves about 10 to 11 days earlier each year. In 2027 Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 or 9 February and end around 8 to 10 March, with Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that follows, around 9 to 11 March. These dates are forecasts; sources differ by a day because the exact start depends on the sighting of the new moon, which is confirmed shortly before. Do not book anything that depends on a precise date until it is confirmed.

IS EGYPT STILL OPEN FOR VISITORS

Yes. Many visitors report that tourist services continue, and hotels serve meals to guests who are not fasting. Confirm details for your itinerary with your operator.

EATING AND DRINKING IN DAYTIME

Non-Muslim visitors are not required to fast. Eating or drinking in daytime is not a crime, but it is considered polite to be discreet in the street, in taxis and in front of people who are fasting. In practice, hotels and larger tourist restaurants serve meals, and some restaurants screen off areas for non-fasting customers. Carry water and plan lunch at your hotel or a tourist restaurant.

THE RHYTHM OF THE DAY

Mornings are calm. The hours before sunset are quiet, then the city comes alive. Iftar, the meal that ends the fast, happens at sunset, which in Cairo in the second week of February 2027 is around 5:40 pm according to sunset tables, moving later through the month. Check the daily time.

OPENING HOURS

We found no official published schedule. Hours at museums, archaeological sites, banks and government offices usually shorten during Ramadan, and the changes differ between places and years. Always confirm the opening hours of each place the day before you go, and plan the big sites for the morning.

WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO BEHAVE

Our general advice: dress modestly, especially in cities and around mosques, with covered shoulders and knees as a safe standard.

EID AL-FITR

The holiday after Ramadan brings several days of celebration. Many Egyptians travel to the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts, so beach hotels in those areas can be busier. Book flights and hotels early if your trip overlaps Eid.

IS IT WORTH GOING

Some visitors enjoy Ramadan for its evening atmosphere. If you are sensitive to schedule changes, travel in another month. If you want a richer experience, choose an itinerary with flexible afternoons and an evening out.