For one month each year, Saudi changes its rhythm entirely. Days grow quieter and slower, and then, as the sun sets, Saudi comes alive. Streets fill, tables stretch long, music and storytelling echo through historic districts, and cities transform into social spaces shaped by food, family, and shared moments.
For visitors, Ramadan offers one of the most exciting ways to authentically experience Saudi culture, not through landmarks alone, but through how life is lived when the sun sets.
1) Warm days, Cheap Flights: Save £241 by Travelling During Ramadan
With Ramadan falling earlier in the year, it aligns with Saudi’s shoulder season, making it one of the best-value times to visit. Flights and accommodation are often more competitively priced, crowds are lighter, and the experience feels more intimate and unhurried.
Saudia, the national carrier is currently offering reduced holiday packages in February and March, with four night breaks starting at the 4 star Holiday Inn Riyadh starting at £603pp (inclusive for flights from London Heathrow) departing on 22nd February – £106 less than the same break would cost just one months later. Alternatively, breaks to the 3 star Ibis Jeddah City Center start at £613pp for four nights (inclusive for flights from London Heathrow) departing on 22ndFebruary – £241 less than the same break would cost one month later. With both properties offering rooftop pools, days can be leisurely whiled away soaking up much-needed vitamin D, ahead of nighttime adventures.
The weather is ideal for exploring by day and soaking up the celebratory and convivial outdoor atmsphere by night. Expect comfortable daytime temperatures of around 18–28°C in Riyadh and 20–30°C in Jeddah, with cooler evenings that suit late dinners, evening walks and the social rhythm that defines Ramadan in Saudi.
2) Eating Together is the Experience, Everywhere You Go
Whether you’re in Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, or beyond, Ramadan dining in Saudi is about lingering, sharing, and being part of a collective moment.
Across the country, iftar (breaking the fast) is a shared, multi-layered experience. Tables are filled with a variety of dishes designed to be eaten together: a succession of warming soups, fresh salads, rice dishes, grilled meats, vegetable dishes and breads arrive, rounded off with traditional cream or nut-filled pastries, such as qatayef or kunafa, washed down with fragrant Saudi coffee.
While experiencing iftar in a family’s home is a lovely experience, many Saudis head out. Iftar ‘tents’ pop up throughout the country for the holy month which are open to all, offering fare from Saudi, the Middle and elsewhere. Indulge at luxury Ramadan tents such as Nur at Mandarin Oriental or the extensive iftar Buffet at Four Seasons Riyadh. Or head toBoulevard World for a truly atmospheric iftar: throughout Ramadan the theme park is adorned with twinkling lights, and crescent moon and star-themed decorations.
3) Another Kind of Nightlife: Cities as Social Nighttime Festivals
During Ramadan, Saudi cities they come alive after dark. People head outdoors for or after iftar and many restaurants, shops and attractions adjusting their opening hours, allowing visitors to wander until the early hours. Promenades fill with families, friends, twinkling fairy lights and dazzling decorations, and cultural districts host seasonal activations designed specifically for the evenings.
In Riyadh, Ramadan nights feel buzzing, elegant, and social. Areas like KAFD take on a distinct late-night rhythm, where dining, coffee, and conversation extend well past midnight. Cool and arty JAX district hosts a Ramadan Market to while away the hours browsing crafts, homemade food, live music, open galleries and kids activities. Or for a more luxurious shopping experience, head to Harvey Nichols Riyadh where the annual Ramadan Caravan takeover will see shoppers browse a curated selection of clothes from Saudi designers, special homeware items for iftar and Ramadan, incense kits workshops using heritage notes like agarwood, frankincense and Taif rose, and sampling cardamom and saffron flavoured ice cream at the Ramadan gelato bar.
Nearby, Diriyah adds a heritage-led dimension to Riyadh’s Ramadan experience. Layali Diriyah brings people together in lantern-lit outdoor settings inspired by Najdi architecture, offering evenings shaped by culture, dining, and a strong sense of place.
Ramadan in Jeddah unfolds with a relaxed, coastal energy. Along the Jeddah Corniche, evenings are spent walking by the sea, dining late, and enjoying the breeze as the city stays awake. Destinations like Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina become natural gathering points during Ramadan nights, blending waterfront views, cafés, and dining with a cosmopolitan, social atmosphere.
4. A Sense of Time and Place: Culture, Performance, and History After Sunset
Ramadan is also a cultural season in Saudi, where evenings are shaped by sound, rhythm, and storytelling.
Across cities and heritage districts, traditional performances appear as part of nightly life. Samri, Saudi folk music and dance performances, marked by rhythmic chanting, poetry, and coordinated movement – bring dynamic energy to Ramadan nights, while storytellers, known as Hakawati recount folk tales, moral stories, and historical narratives in open-air settings, drawing in audiences of all ages and offering visitors an intimate window into Saudi’s oral heritage.
These performances aren’t confined to theatres or ticketed venues. They unfold organically in courtyards, heritage streets, and public spaces, making culture part of the night’s rhythm rather than a scheduled stop.
In Historic Jeddah, coral-stone houses are illuminated with lanterns, decorations line the alleys, and night markets fill the streets with movement, food, and sound. The district feels less like a preserved site and more like a living neighborhood, experienced through evening strolls rather than daytime tours.
In Diriyah, At-Turaif’s mud-brick architecture and palm-lined spaces are lit softly after dark, creating an evocative atmosphere where dining, culture, and history blend seamlessly.
From Ramadan to Eid: How the Experience Evolves
As Ramadan draws to a close, the country’s rhythm shifts once more.
Eid al-Fitr brings celebration and movement. Some travellers continue their journey to the Saudi Red Sea, where February–April weather is ideal for coastal escapes, lighter days, and festive gatherings by the water. Others choose to extend their stay in destinations like AlUla, turning Eid into a period of exploration, rest, and reconnection with nature and heritage.
Natasha Syed is the dynamic Editor-in-Chief of British Muslim Magazine, the UK’s premium Travel & Lifestyle publication catering to Muslim audiences. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for celebrating diverse cultures, she leads the magazine in curating inspiring content that bridges heritage, modern luxury, and faith-driven experiences.
Under her leadership, British Muslim Magazine continues to set the standard for authentic, and engaging trusted narratives, making it the go-to source for Muslim traveler's and lifestyle enthusiasts across the UK and beyond.
