I'm planning a holiday in Egypt in September, but it's Ramadan, will this effect our holiday?

Question

Is it wise to still go, as I've heard that things close early etc, and I don't want to be stuck in the hotel because shope etc are closing at lunch time?

I meant that shops/sites closing at lunchtime will be closed all day after that because the local people are at home eating, drinking etc. I also realise that the hitel industry will still be ok, but I don't want to be stuck with nothing to do or see, and have to hang around a hotel all the afternoon.

Answer 1

As an Egyptian i say to you no your visit will not effect ,you will enjoy your time, our lunch time (EL-Eftar) take about only one hour and since 7:00Pm you will found life back again to all parts of Egypt, shops an malls open after our Eftar till 3:00-4:00 am next day

shops closes since azan el maghreb till 7:00 or 7:30 till all Moslem's take their first meal in the day

you will enjoy food and the atmosphere of celebrating Ramadan in Egypt

Of course you can eat or smoke or drink as you like all day because you are a torriest or Christian and this thing never annoy us at all

i think Egypt in Ramadan will be great and more more beautiful


You are welcome to Egypt at any time
Best regard
Mohamed Yousri - Egyptian and Moslem guy

Answer 2

well yes things will shut in the afternoon i was in cairo a couple of years ago during ramadan. although it didnt stop me enjoying my holiday i have to say it made it less comfortable in the sense that i felt awkward about asking for food or drink in the day. I have to say that only once was resentment shown towards me drinking water and that was by a beggar demanding money. On the whole i found that most things kind of stopped about 2pm museums and shops shut and did not get going again until evening when the ramadan fast time finished. i went horse riding round the pyramids around susnset with an egyptian, and he didnt seem to worry too much about observing ramadan as long as no one was watching him. i also found taxis in the afternoon with out too much trouble. but the cairo museum shut at 2pm and the pyramids around the same time.
On the upside people were very cheerful at night and there was a party atmosphere then.
However it has to be said few people go site seeing in egypt in the afternoon anyway it is usually too hot. the normal day is to go out early maybe 7 am and stay to around midday, have lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing or going out on a fellucca or similar. then at night luxor/cairo wakes up again
and comes alive. most poeple shop at night egyptians included or early morning. so yes it will affect you a little but not greatly i dont think have a lovely time

Answer 3

If you are going to Sharm or Hurghada you will not feel much difference only for 1 or 2 hours during the breakfast time which starts with the last light of the sun.
If you are visiting Cairo or Alexandria it's more different as most of the people move and eat in certain time according to sunset and prayer times after that, but also they sleep late and you will feel in some places it's like carnival or some kinds of celebrations. It's fine to visit in Egypt in Ramadan, just you have to know some useful tips and information about Ramadan in Egypt specially as it's unique in Cairo. Simply consider the religion and culture and you will enjoy your time.

Answer 4

If there would be any other chance you could go to Egypt, try rescheduling it on an earlier or later time. Air fare goes high during this season. Shops indeed close during lunch time, but most establishments open in the afternoon until past midnight. This is because Muslims could only start eating after dusk.

Answer 5

Hi the answer is no. We were ther last September and it did not effect us at all. Some of the sites like the Pyramids Karnak etc just closed a little earlier 3.30. They start to eat after the sun goes down.

Wonderful place have a great time. I will be going at christmas.

Answer 6

i am an egyptian man

at ramadan the shops closed only for about 1 or 2 hour

but the resturants closed at ramadan all the day and open all the night

but every shop in egypt open at 8 or 9 or 10 o'clock am at the day and closed at maximam 4 or 5 o'clock pm and open again about 7 or 8 pm

but at ur visit in ramadan u will see somethings u didn;t see at the hole year except in this month
trust me u will have fun at your visit in this month

Answer 7

Cairo may be the capital of Egypt and one of many greatest towns in Africa and the Middle East and a great place to visit; find more with hotelbye . On the Nile lake, Cairo is famous for its own record, preserved in the fabulous old Islamic town and Coptic websites in Old Cairo. The Egyptian Museum in the centre of area is crucial see, with its countless Historical Egyptian artefacts because number trip to Cairo will be complete without a visit to the Giza Pyramids, and to the regional Saqqara Pyramid Complex. In Cairo you can see: The Pyramid of Cheops (also named the Great Pyramid or Pyramid of Khufu), the largest chart of the Giza class, and their interior of slim passages may be investigated, although there isn't much to see, except a plain tomb chamber with an clear sarcophagus. Right behind the Great Pyramid is the Solar Ship Museum, which exhibits one of many ceremonial solar barques discovered in your community that has been carefully repaired to its original glory. More south on the plateau may be the Pyramid of Chephren (also known as the Pyramid of Khefre), which has an inside canal area that may be entered.

Answer 8

It really will affects your visit. Most establishment are close during the day due to their observance of Ramadan. "It is the holiest time for Muslims and you cannot go against their rituals and belief. even if your christian, once, you enter their place, you should follow everything. no way for you to smoke take a bite of sandwich or drink water in front of them. Fare during that time is a bit higher. If you intend to experience ramadan, why not go therre, but if you want to really enjoy, better re-schedule your tour.

Answer 9

no no no, egyptions are lovely people,and just like us and the rest of the world they need to earn cash.Just respect their religion and culture (you will get the same back) and enjoy yourself.
Have a great time.

Answer 10

as a tourist you will not find any differance, money comes first. and Egypt is all geared up for the tourist,
our business is not effected in any way, appart from the driver who has to stop to eat at about 17.30 to break fast, if he is Muslim some of our staff are Christian, so come and enjoy Egypt. you may find ramadan is a better time to come anyway.