Ramadan 2018- International Destinations You Should Not Miss During Ramadan

While it’s true that many shops, restaurants and bars are closed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, there are plenty of other advantages to visiting at this time of year. Ramadan is a time when people express their religious devotion by fasting from sunrise until sunset, and while this can make the days a little dull it also means the nights really come alive with feasting and festivities as people look to make the most of those precious few hours before the next fast begins. Here’s our list of 5 destinations that come to life during Ramadan.

* South Africa

Islam is considered the second largest religion in South Africa and the colourful homes of Bo-Kaap in the shade of Signal Hill provide a beautiful backdrop to Ramadan in Cape Town. This up-and-coming area of the city is home to a large Malay community and South Africa’s oldest mosque on Dorp Street, open to visitors for iftar and offering some of the best views of Table Mountain.

* Oman

Take advantage of special hotel rates during Ramadan and visit Oman’s capital city Muscat. Here you can experience the country’s rich heritage at a museum while it’s quiet during the day, and later join the throngs of people taking their evening walk after iftar.

* Morocco

Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most impressive examples of Muslim architecture in the world and open to visitors of all faiths. In Marrakech you can witness the mesmeric sight of thousands of people praying under the evening sun and explore the souks in search of an authentic tagine in which to try and recreate one of the amazing dishes you can find at this time of year.

* Australia

While Australia isn’t considered a Muslim-majority country, it’s still home to a large population who practice Islam. Each year, Lakemba, a suburb in the south-west of Sydney, hosts a number of food festivals and bazaars to meet the needs of thousands of people in search of a good meal after a hard day’s fast, so you’ll have no trouble picking up some delicious treats.

* Senegal

Dakar becomes a nocturnal city during Ramadan, with most people sleeping in until the early afternoon. During the day the streets are empty but most places will stay open throughout the night after iftar.