Dubai During Ramadan

[Jelly4444]

I'm planning a trip to Asia next April and thinking of a stop over in Dubai. The trip will coincide with Ramadan. Is it worth stopping over during Ramadan? Is everything closed all day? Is it a good/bad time to experience the city?

I was in Dubai with work during Ramadan. The advice given was to try and avoid driving on the roads near the end of the day. The standard of driving often isn’t comparable to the UK at the best of times, but during Ramadan there are lots very hungry people hurrying to get home and have something to eat, and their driving becomes even more risky and aggressive.

I don’t know if that’s true or not, because I took their advice and avoided driving then, so never found out. It made sense to me, though.

Good advice @DomesticShortHair ! Thank you!

I suppose I'm worried that it will feel like it's all closed.

You will be fine op. I love Ramadan as life is more calm and measured. Everything is open but before Iftar, very quiet. Good tip about the roads though...

Lived in Abu nearly all my life, but have been out for the past 2 years. Latest was everything was open. Restaurants didn’t even need to screen off anymore. However, this information is two years old. A lot can change in the UAE in 2 years, so don’t take my word for it.

I’ve been during Ramadan. It was fine. I suppose it depends what you want to do. There won’t be cafes etc open during the day, but shopping malls etc.are open.
We carried water and snacks and used public toilets to eat and drink something out of sight when we were out.

It's really changed in Dubai in recent years. From Ramadan 2021 they did away with the requirement for screened areas in eating places and you will be able to eat in cafes any time of day. Just be respectful and don't eat and drink walking around in public. Little kids are ok to sip water in the heat. There is no live music allowed, and be mindful not to play it loudly in car/hotel room. It's not a time to brunch and party but it's a lovely time to visit in many ways.

Loads of great deals at water parks etc to be had during Ramadan.

And book in for an Iftar meal at sunset there are some amazing set menus.

The advice about driving is true and the roads are extra crazy. The worst time is early afternoon as workplaces close early for the whole month.

This puts my mind at ease everyone! We are going with our children so we won't be partying anyway. I was just worried that it might feel like a closed Spanish resort in January!!

I'll keep the advice about the roads in mind!

We're in Dubai for the first couple of days of Ramadan. Think the last 3 days of our trip. We have a lot of Arab friends and apparently it's amazing, great atmosphere, lots going on. Hotels still serve food/drink you just have to be respectful whilst being out and about. I'm looking forward to it!

We were there in Ramadan and lots of families are out in the evening eating! It was quite buzzy. We are not great drinkers so we didn’t miss anything we cared about. Malls were open and we didn’t have issues with unsafe driving. Used taxis. Our hotel was full every evening with local people eating out. We felt it was no issue at all.