6 Things to Do in Abu Dhabi for Ramadan
The holy month of Ramadan is nearly upon us.
When is Ramadan observed in Abu Dhabi in 2025? According to the Abu Dhabi Ramadan calendar for 2025, the first day of Ramadan will likely fall in late February or early March. The exact date will be determined by the UAE government based on the advice of the UAE Moon Sighting Committee.
This Ramadan, why not visit the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi? In particular, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, can be an enchanting Ramadan destination. We have many Ramadan activities lined up for you. Take up our Stay and Play - Free Iftar offer, and you won’t lack things to do in Ramadan.
What do you need to know about visiting Abu Dhabi during Ramadan?
Is it OK to go to Abu Dhabi during Ramadan? Yes, it is. In fact Ramadan in Abu Dhabi can be truly memorable, as you can participate in many meaningful activities and enjoy a traditional Iftar or Suhoor.
How does Ramadan affect tourists in Abu Dhabi? The main thing to note is that timings may change – so check the opening hours of your target attractions before you schedule your trip – but popular Abu Dhabi tourist destinations and attractions typically remain open during Ramadan.
Are restaurants open in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan? Yes the vast majority of them are. Generally, out of respect for those fasting it is recommended that you do not visibly eat or drink in public during fasting hours. However, mall food courts, outlets and the vast majority of restaurants in the city remain open, so dining out during fasting hours is still extremely easy.
What to wear in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan? The UAE is liberal country with regard to a dress code - in fact the country is one of the region’s fashion capitals. However, during Ramadan, it is wise to be respectful and modest. Avoid showing your shoulders and knees or wearing overly fitted outfits.
And now back to the question, what to do and where to go in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan? Here are our top recommendations:
1. Enjoy Your Free Iftar
Get a free half-board upgrade when you book our Stay and Play - Free Iftar at one of the participating Yas Island hotels. Our Stay and Play packages usually come with complimentary breakfast. During Ramadan, however, it also comes with a free iftar upgrade.
Note: Iftar is the evening meal during Ramadan. After the iftar signal is given at sunset, Muslims typically break their fast with three dates and a glass of water before proceeding to the Maghrib prayer. Once that’s done, they sit down to enjoy a much bigger meal.
The second, larger meal is a full meal, like a typical dinner. It is what people mean when they invite people for an iftar meal or gathering.
2. Book an Iftar Buffet
Iftar is quite an event everywhere in the UAE, especially in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It’s a whole social affair – comparable to evening brunch in scale, except the focus is on Arabic delicacies and typical Ramadan iftar fare. Therefore, during Ramadan on Yas, spend one or two nights sampling iftar options from the best restaurants in Yas Island. The following, available from 10 March to 8 April 2024, are strong contenders for the best iftar buffet in Abu Dhabi.
- Yas Majlis Iftar, Yas Links Abu Dhabi
- Yas Acres Iftar, Yas Acres Golf & Country Club
- Garage Iftar, W Abu Dhabi Yas Island
- Sidekicks Ramadan Iftar, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
- Iftar at Assymetri, Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi
- Ramadan Iftar at Choices and Rangoli, Yas Island Rotana
- Ramadan Iftar at Jing Asia, Crowne Plaza Yas Island
- Ramadan Iftar in Hilton, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Some restaurants also offer suhoor. Suhoor is the meal eaten before dawn (i.e., before the day’s fasting begins). Ask your hotel if they offer suhoor. You can also try Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island’s Ramadan Suhoor in Hilton.
3. Visit the Yas Theme Parks
The Yas Island Stay and Play - Free Iftar package includes Yas Theme Ppark tickets for two adults for every night of stay. Two nights translate to two pairs of Yas Theme Park tickets, three nights mean three pairs of tickets, and so on – although some hotels might have a cap on the number of tickets you can avail.
You may use your complimentary one-day, general-admission tickets at any of the theme parks in Yas Island. Your choices include Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Tip: Stay longer to get more complimentary Yas Theme Park tickets. Furthermore, confirm the theme parks’ operating hours during Ramadan. They may open later or close earlier than usual, so it’s best to check so you can plan better.
You should also make time for CLYMB Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It’s well worth your time, as it has the world’s largest indoor skydiving flight chamber and the region’s tallest indoor climbing wall.
Note: “What if I get hungry while at a theme park? Can I eat in public during Ramadan in Abu Dhabi?” These questions have a nuanced answer.
It’s prohibited to eat and drink in public during Ramadan. However, most theme park restaurants are open to tourists. They simply screen off the dining area to obscure the guests from public view.
4. Experience a Ramadan Night Market
Drive to southern Yas Island for Yas Bay’s Waterfront Nights, a lively Ramadan night market in Abu Dhabi. It’s open from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the open plaza in front of Etihad Arena. Shop for clothing, perfume and other items, fill up on Arabic street food, drinks and other treats, participate in night market activities, and enjoy live entertainment during your visit.
Are shops open in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan? Yes, not only are they open, they’re filled to the brim with great Ramadan offers from local and international brands. Head to Yas Mall to make the most of these. This is also a great time to get hold of Ramadan themed decor such as traditional lanterns, which would make a great souvenir for yourself or your friends back home. You’ll also find some beautiful and luxurious fashion finds from the different brand Ramadan collections. What’s more, malls are open till later in the night during Ramadan.
5. Watch Eid Al Fitr FireWorks
If you’re in Abu Dhabi on the eve of Eid Al Fitr, drive to Yas Bay. Yas Bay has some of the best Eid fireworks in Abu Dhabi.
Note: Eid Al Fitr is the first day of Shawwal, which is the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a feast to mark the end of Ramadan.
6. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
While in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan, visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. You can time your visit so you can be at the Mosque when the cannon is fired to announce the beginning of Ramadan. On any other day, the cannon fires to announce iftar (Midfa Al Iftar).
One of the highlights of a Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Ramadan is the grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque iftar. Free iftar meals are a norm throughout the UAE, given out in mosques (also malls and other places). However, the iftar at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is at a different scale altogether.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the grandest mosque in the UAE, attracting many of the faithful and tourists during Ramadan. The Mosque welcomes everyone. The Armed Forces Officers Club sets up air-conditioned tents for the fasters and prepares tens of thousands of iftar meals every day.
In 2023, the Grand Mosque distributed approximately 1.5 million iftar meals throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The Grand Mosque iftar in 2025 is likely to be even bigger – a sight to behold, so make sure to visit.
Abu Dhabi During Ramadan
Ramadan is a lovely time to experience Abu Dhabi. You can join iftar buffets, explore the night market, enjoy the attractions at the Yas Theme Parks, watch the Eid Al Fitr fireworks, and visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi is one of the best places to experience Ramadan in Abu Dhabi. Check out our Yas Island offers, particularly the Stay and Play - Free Iftar package.