maytraveller

Flying into Madrid from USA 9/28 and out on 10/15. We plan to spend about 7 days in Portugal and 9 days in Morocco, and I'm currently considering which to do first.

Ramadan ends on 10/2 next year so if we fly into Morocco first we will be there for the last few days of Ramadan and the Eid celebrations.

Traveling to Portugal first means arriving in Morocco around 10/5. From a cultural standpoint being in Morocco for the end of Ramadan is interesting, but I'm concerned about reduced transportation options and tourist site hours or outright closures during the celebrations--any experience or feedback?

maytraveller

sandi

Ramadan shouldn't impact your trip. Tourist sites remain open, transportation runs, people go to work (they don't eat during the day). When daytime fasting is over, it's a big celebration in the evening over the month.

For visitors it's strongly recommended not to eat or drink in front of those fasting, i.e., walking the streets with food or drink. Most restaurants will be open; small family-type though may close.

We've visited Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and South Africa (w/ Muslim guide) during Ramadan and didn't encounter any hinderence to our activities.

maytraveller

Thanks for the quick reply, sandi, but I guess I wasn't clear enough:

I was not concerned with traveling in Morocco during Ramadan, if we had travel dates that were wholly within Ramadan that would not be an issue.

I was asking about closures and travel obstacles during the eid celebration right after Ramadan. Lonely Planet comments that these celebrations continue for several days and that closures and reduced demand for and supply of services such as transport, etc., can be a hindrance.

Any experience of this as significant?

Thanks

maytraveller

sebti

As interesting as it may be I have to say that you'd probably be better off avoiding visiting during the Eid holiday, as your info on the travel difficulties is correct. Eid is very much a family oriented affair, celebrated in the home, so you're unlikely to experience it and more likely to come across difficulties getting from A to B.

sandi

may -

Sorry for misunderstanding. Though we were in Turkey during Eid (the other countries simply during Ramadan), we had no problems. But as Sebi is in Morocco, I'd trust his judgement specific to his country when planning.

maytraveller

Thanks, Sebti and sandi.

Portugal, then Morocco it is.

Now to work out the itineraries....

maytraveller