Amanda PhillipsVisiting Dubai
Dubai is a city that blends modern-life and traditional beauty: 21st Century skyscrapers dominate the skyline while traditional etiquette warms the streets and beaches. The balance between old and the new can sway depending on the time of year your going to be visiting Dubai.
Travel on a budget during Ramadan
Holidays to Dubai can be more affordable than you may imagine. During Ramadan it’s the low tourist season and many places offer special discounts making it a more budget friendly time to travel.
Children are exempt from fasting traditions
Ramadan is a time when the Muslim population fasts throughout the day, and the non-Muslim population can’t be seen eating or drinking in public during the day either, even if they do so in private. Children (as well as pregnant women) can be exempt from this rule as long as they are discreet.
Hotel restaurants will serve meals as usual and waterparks and many other tourist attractions will remain open during the daytime.
Experience Dubai’s World Class Shopping in the Evening
Shopping is world-renowned in Dubai and even though many shopping malls and markets will adjust their hours for Ramadan, shopping-loving tourists can still hit the malls at night. An extra bonus is that the crowds will be smaller and there might be discounts on hand.
Sample traditional Ramadan dishes
For foodies, Ramadan is an excellent time of year to visit Dubai. While eating is prohibited in public during the day, the fast ends every night with an Iftar. Grand Ramadan tents can be found across the city where Muslims and non-Muslims congregate for an extravagant evening meal with traditional Emirati foods such as luqaimat (sweet dumplings), Assidat al-Boubar (a pumpkin pudding) and Ranjina (a flour-and-date baked dessert). Also held in the Ramadan tents is breakfast before sunrise, known as Suhur, before the daily fast begins.
Finish it off at Eid al-Fitr
If you’re planning to visit Dubai near the end of Ramadan, you might get to stay long enough to experience Eid al-Fitr, the festival that takes place to mark the end of the fast. Dubai comes alive as the fast ends with stage shows, discounts and other family attractions.
Some cultural reminders about Ramadan
While not everyone is expected to take part in Ramadan, it is expected that Ramadan is respected by everyone in Dubai, including visitors. Even if visitors eat in the private restaurants of hotels or in the privacy of their own apartments, when in public during daylight hours they are required to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking. Some of the tourist resorts are more relaxed than other areas of Dubai, but guests should just always keep the traditions in mind while visiting Dubai.