Some shops and smaller businesses may close briefly at prayer times. Keep a prayer-times app on your phone and allow extra time.
Visiting a mosque
Dress modestly; women cover their hair. Shoes off at the door, and keep away from rows during prayer.
Friday
Jumu’ah is the busiest prayer of the week; arrive early at the big mosques.
Good to know
Halal everywhere
All food is halal, and alcohol is banned throughout the kingdom.
Ramadan this month
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, subject to moon sighting. Expect daytime dining to be limited and the city to open up after iftar.
Respect the fast
Do not eat, drink or smoke in public during fasting hours, even if you are travelling and not fasting.
Taraweeh
Night prayers fill the great mosques; arrive early and expect traffic around them after Isha.