Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims all over the globe. During the day, Muslims fast, and many countries have strict rules to protect them. But as some places (like Dubai) begin to loosen these Ramadan regulations for visitors and expats, others still adhere strictly to tradition.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Hijri calendar and is a period of deep religious reflection for Muslims. Ramadan is strictly observed across Bahrain by all residents, regardless of their religion, and it is good to be aware of the additional measures that you as a visitor or new arrival must observe during this period.
In 2025 the Holy Month will run from 1 March to 29 March in Bahrain
Saum, one of the Five Pillars of Worship of Islam, is the act of fasting during this Holy Month. Muslims must abstain from eating and drinking, smoking, and sex between sunrise and sunset. This is done to teach them self-awareness, patience, and tolerance. The soul is said to be purified of evil influence, and a person’s faith in Allah is strengthened.
Are there any exceptions to fasting during Ramadan?
Various situations exist in which a Muslim may be excused from fasting, such as pregnancy, diabetes, breastfeeding, menstruation, illness, or old age. The rule of thumb is that you should not participate if it’s detrimental to your health.
Generally, if they are exempt from menstruation or illness, Muslims will make up a fasting day later in the year before the next Ramadan. Children are also exempt. Even if you fall into one of these categories, you should still not eat or drink in a public place.
If you are travelling through Bahrain International Airport, once you are airside, you will see that all food outlets are operating as normal. This is because travellers are exempt from fasting. Again, Muslim travellers will make up the fasting day before the next Ramadan.
As a non-Muslim, can I eat and drink during Ramadan in Bahrain?
In the privacy of your own home or hotel room, you can eat and drink, but you should not eat and drink in public unless you are in a specially designated hotel restaurant. These tend to be in 5-star hotels.
Whilst the restaurants are technically open, they are not well attended (maybe one or two groups in a weekend lunch sitting). Room service is available in most hotels for anyone not fasting.
This means that if you visit Bahrain during Ramadan, there will be no al fresco breakfasts, leisurely shopping mall lunches, or drinks around the pool, but you can get a nice breakfast or an a la carte lunch in a 5-star hotel to set you up for the day.
Some drive-through coffee shops (Starbucks and Costa, for example) are open for takeaway during Ramadan, although we advise against taking a swig in the car. Many restaurants also offer home delivery using the Talabat app.
Note that if you are caught eating or drinking in public outside of your home, hotel room, or a designated restaurant during daylight hours in Ramadan, you may face up to 12 months in prison and a 100 BD fine.
Can children eat and drink in public?
We would say that it is best not to let your child eat or drink in a public place during Ramadan out of respect for the many Muslims who are fasting.
Iftar and breaking the fast
The fast is broken at maghrib, the sunset prayer time, by the firing of the cannon, followed by the sound of the Azan echoing from the mosques’ loudspeakers.
There are four cannons in Bahrain, located at the Arad Fort, Bahrain Fort, Abu Subh Beach, and the Hunainiya Valley. Watching the cannons being fired is a fantastic experience for the whole family and adds a little bit of extra excitement to the evening. Young children may, however, need ear defenders, as the boom is very loud!
Iftar is literally the breaking of the fast, immediately taken after sunset. This is a time for families to come together to eat. Traditionally iftar begins with water, fruit juice and dates, before prayers, followed by a larger meal of traditional foods.
Many hotels will put together large Iftar buffets and traditional tents over the course of the Holy Month, with many restaurants also offering set Iftar menus for those who would rather not have a buffet.
Should I visit Bahrain during Ramadan?
We won’t lie; daytime during Ramadan can seem a bit lackluster for non-fasting visitors.
Everywhere is quiet. Museums and galleries close for the afternoon. Many spas, hair salons, and other services don’t open until noon or later, and others close early to allow for iftar. It can be frustrating, especially as Ramadan opening hours are not widely publicized, even on social media (always best to phone and check).
But Ramadan nights in the Kingdom are magical, and it’s definitely worth visiting even just for a few days during Ramadan to stay up until the early hours soaking in the Ramadan ambience.
Of course, Ramadan’s essence is one of spirituality. The holy month allows worshippers to reinforce their connection to Islam, but it is also a time of great celebration when families come together to strengthen their own bonds.
At night time the city comes alive with a variety of iftar options and family gatherings, known as ghabgas. Gargaon, the 14th night of Ramadan is also super special, especially for children, who get dressed up in traditional outfits and go from door to door collecting sweets and nuts from their friends and neighbours.
In addition to iftars and ghabgas, special events around the city include Ramadan night markets and special craft and heritage installations. One of the most highly regarded is at the Bahrain Heritage Village.
Are there any other Ramadan rules I should know about?
During Ramadan, ladies should make a concerted effort to dress modestly. This means covering your knees and shoulders and not showing any cleavage outside of your home or hotel room.
If you are attending an iftar or a public building like a museum, we would say that it is best for ladies to wear trousers and a long-sleeved top, a longer dress with longer sleeves, or perhaps even a pretty abaya in honor of this very special time. This also applies to girls over the age of 10.
Singing and dancing in public is not allowed during Ramadan, so try to keep those earworms at bay and hold those jiggles back if you’re out and about. Try not to disturb others by keeping the volume down in terms of music, TV, and loud voices.
Are tourist attractions and cultural sites open during Ramadan?
Most museums do open during Ramadan but their opening times will be different to other times of year.
The Bahrain National Museum, for example, opens at 10.00 am and closes at 3.00 pm. It is always best to phone ahead and check if somewhere you want to visit will be open the actual Ramadan opening hours are not always posted online.
Are shops closed during the day during Ramadan?
Most shopping centres are open during the day, although not all shops keep their standard hours.
Cafes and restaurants are closed until iftar time.
If you feel the urge to go shopping during Ramadan and know that you’ll need to eat or drink while you are out, City Centre Mall has direct access to two hotels with restaurants that are open throughout the holy month.
Cinemas are closed during the day, but most play centres and children’s entertainment facilities remain open.
Can I buy alcohol in Bahrain during Ramadan?
No. Alcohol is not allowed to be served in hotels during Ramadan. The wine shops that serve Bahrain’s non-Muslim residents are also closed throughout the month of Ramadan.
Eid in Bahrain
There are two Eid celebrations that you find marked by Muslim countries worldwide: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Fitr in Bahrain
Eid al-Fitr is the festival immediately following the breaking of the final fast in Ramadan. It is a time of celebration, festivities, and daytime feasts for Muslim families. People will dress in their new Eid clothes, ladies will have their hair and henna done, and gift-giving will occur.
Eid is a very busy time in Bahrain. It is a national holiday, usually lasting three to four days, but it can be longer for government entities and schools. Expect the airport to be busier than usual as people tend to travel over this period to visit family and friends for the celebrations.
Eid al-Fitr is announced towards the end of Ramadan, dependent on the sighting of the crescent moon; holiday dates are expected to fall between 30 March and 2 April 2025
The public holidays are usually declared towards the end of Ramadan. Eid is not declared until the initial sighting of the crescent moon marking 1 Shawwal.
Charity or Zakat – another of the Five Pillars of Islam – is considered very important during Eid celebrations, giving and thoughtfulness to those less fortunate. This is a great way to get your children involved, either via monetary donations or by giving food boxes to those less fortunate. Most supermarkets offer an Iftar box to be purchased that you can then distribute.
When Will Ramadan Occur In the Future?
The Islamic (Hijri) Calendar differs from the Gregorian Calendar by approximately 10 days every year. This will see the Holy Month eventually move into the coolest months of the year for the next decade.
Use this Hijri calendar as a guide to when Ramadan will fall in future years.
More about Ramadan in the Middle East
If you visit any Islamic countries during the holy month of Ramadan, the rules and expectations of tourists can vary greatly – from no apparent change in day-to-day living to almost complete shut down during daylight hours – so it’s important to do your research before travelling.
Places like Qatar have very similar rules during Ramadan, whereas much of the United Arab Emirates now operates ‘Business as Usual’ during the holy month. To dig further and understand the nuisances, please also see these guides:
- Understanding Ramadan in Qatar as a Tourist
- Ramadan Rules in Dubai 2026 Guide
- Ramadan in Abu Dhabi – Q&A Guide for Tourists
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This post was contributed by our Bahrain-based writer, Lynette, who has lived in the Middle East twice in the last decade with her young family.
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The Family Travel in the Middle East team of travel writers are all parents based in the Middle East, sharing first hand experiences and reviews from across the region to help you plan your next family adventure.
