Short answer: Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027 and end with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March 2027, subject to the moon sighting. Makkah is busiest in the last ten nights, from about 27 February. Expect full prayer halls, peak hotel prices and a day built around suhoor, iftar and the night prayers.
When should I travel for Ramadan 2027?
Choose your dates by what you hope to experience. The first ten days are calmer and better value, which suits families and first-time pilgrims. The last ten nights carry the hope of Laylat al-Qadr and are the most sought after; rooms near the Haram sell out four to six months ahead. A full month allows i'tikaf and Eid in Makkah.
What does a day in Makkah look like during Ramadan?
- Suhoor: eaten before Fajr, which falls around 5:35 am in mid-February. Most hotels near the Haram serve a suhoor buffet.
- Daytime: rest after Fajr, read Quran in the mosque, and perform your own Umrah or extra tawaf when the crowds are lighter, usually mid-morning.
- Iftar: at Maghrib, around 6:25 pm. Dates, water and Zamzam are shared inside the mosque; arrive an hour early for a place.
- Taraweeh: after Isha, led by the imams of the Haram. Expect the courtyards and surrounding streets to fill.
- Qiyam: in the last ten nights, a second night prayer begins after midnight and ends before suhoor.
Do I need a permit to perform Umrah in Ramadan?
Yes. Umrah requires a time-slot permit booked in the Nusuk app, and Ramadan slots fill quickly. Rihla advisors book permits for every pilgrim in the group before departure, and arrange a quieter slot for older travellers.
Practical tips for Ramadan in Makkah
- Stay as close to the Haram as you can; walking back after Qiyam is tiring.
- Carry a small prayer mat, a refillable bottle and a shoe bag every time you leave the hotel.
- Agree a meeting point with your family; phone signal is weak inside the mosque at peak times.
- Sisters should note the women's sections and gates closest to the hotel on the first day.
- Plan rest. Fasting, long prayers and walking add up, especially in the last ten nights.