Here is a carefully collated list of Ramadan-friendly cities that you can visit while you are fasting. Vacationing in these destinations will offer you the opportunity to explore each city’s uniquely local Ramadan practices and customs, while being fully immersed in the essence of Ramadan.
All of these destinations are guaranteed to have cooler weather than the UAE, and can give you a chance to walk, explore and eat something different this Ramadan.
Istanbul, Turkey
Escape the summer heat over in the UAE by heading to Istanbul. A great place to visit during Ramadan, as a large portion of the population will be fasting, so you will feel a sense of community. Enjoy a city, where two continents collide. A city of old and new. From the delicious food, to shopping in the street bazars and taking in all of the culture, Istanbul is the perfect place to escape for a couple days. We recommend 3 nights and 4 days.
The sun sets at 8.20pm in Istanbul.
Round-trip flights start from Dh1,100 per person. And a four-star hotel starts from Dh169 (a night)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The capital city of Malaysia is prized for its modern skyline, which is dominated by the 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers. The mostly Muslim population, make this a comfortable place for those observing Ramadan to travel to and experience. If you love modern architecture, get ready to experience a cityscape that will kind of remind you of Dubai. Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia, which means there is a lot happening in the city, with plenty of activities. Once you are done sight-seeing, pick from the city’s wide range of restaurants that serve special iftar menus.
The sun sets at 7.18pm in Kuala Lumpur.
Round-trip flights start from Dh1,640 per person and you can find a four-star hotel from Dh100 a night
Amman, Jordan
This cosmopolitan and young metropolis offers a halal-friendly and quiet vacation spot; loaded to the brim with cultural gems such as historical ruins, museums. souks and mosques. It also forms a great base for exploring highlights of Jordan, such as Petra and Wadi Rum.
The sun sets at 7.30pm in Amman.
Round-trip flights start from Dh1,091 per person, and a four-star hotel starts from Dh180 a night
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Visit Almaty for its great weather and luxurious hammams. You could also catch world-class ballet and opera at strikingly low prices. And if you want to experience a bit of snow in the peak of the Middle Eastern summer, head to the popular Medeu outdoor ice skating rink, situated at an altitude of almost 1,700 metres.
The sun sets at 8.15pm in Almaty.
Round-trip flights start from Dh1,293 per person, and a four-star hotel starts from Dh200 a night
Alexandria, Egypt
Give the tourist-traps of Cairo a miss, and head over to the port city of Alexandria. Bibliophiles can read to their hearts’ content at the famous Library of Alexandria, where a copy of every book published in the world is kept. To soak in some history you could also visit some interesting Roman catacombs, the site of the Pharos ( the great lighthouse) and a stunning Roman amphitheater.
The sun sets at 6.53pm in Alexandria.
Round-trip flights start from Dhs1,195 per person and you can find a four-star hotel from Dhs298 a night
