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Ramadan in Marrakech: the clock, the sunset and your Agafay evening

For Ramadan in Marrakech, one fact helps: Morocco has been on Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0) since 20 September 2026, and the decree behind it sets no summer time, so tour times, flights and prayer times run on one clock. In 2026 it was different: clocks went back an hour for Ramadan in February and forward again in March. What still moves with Ramadan is the day itself. Sunset breaks the fast, most cafés close in daytime, and alcohol cannot be bought, as France Diplomatie states.

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Which clock tour times use

Decree no. 2.26.530, signed on 25 June 2026 and published in the Bulletin officiel no. 7521, returned Morocco's legal time to GMT on 20 September 2026. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch announced it after the Council of Government on 25 June 2026. The same decree repealed decree no. 2.18.855 of 2018, the rule that had kept the country an hour ahead of GMT since October 2018.

Under that 2018 rule the clock stood at UTC+1 for most of the year and went back to GMT only for Ramadan, as the IANA time zone database records. That database, which phones and laptops read, has carried the change since its release of July 2026, so a phone that sets its time automatically shows the right hour.

Operators give pickup times in Morocco clock time. The Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs states its prayer times in the Kingdom's official time, GMT. A booking page or guidebook that still says GMT+1 was written before 20 September 2026.

Morocco clock time today

UTC+0

Greenwich Mean Time since 20 September 2026, with no summer time set. The same hour as London in winter.

Morocco's clock, 2026 to 2027

The line runs down the page a month to a row. Sunset at Agafay moves smoothly with the seasons; on the clock it jumped three times in 2026. A sunset camel ride and dinner is timed to the sun, so its pickup jumped with it.

In February 2026 the clock went back an hour before Ramadan started, and in March it went forward again after Eid al-Fitr. Then on 20 September it went back to GMT. After that the line follows only the seasons, since no further change has been announced.

The planner on the Agafay Desert home page gives the leave time for any date; the Agafay sunset page has the sunset for every day of the year.

Morocco's clock and the Agafay sunset, 2026 to 2027 Morocco's clock from January 2026 to December 2027. On 15 February 2026 the clock went from UTC+1 to UTC+0; sunset on the day before was 19:19, on the day 18:20. On 22 March 2026 the clock went from UTC+0 to UTC+1; sunset on the day before was 18:45, on the day 19:46. On 20 September 2026 the clock went from UTC+1 to UTC+0; sunset on the day before was 19:33, on the day 18:32. Ramadan 1447 ran from 19 February 2026 to 19 March 2026. The clock stays at UTC+0 through 2027. UTC+1UTC+1UTC+0 (GMT) 16:0017:0018:0019:0020:0021:00 Jan2026FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan2027FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Ramadan 1447 clocks backclocks forwardback to GMT
Sunset at Agafay Latest time to leave the medina for a sunset camel ride and dinner. Shaded rows: the clock on UTC+1. Both lines jump where the clock changes, because tours follow the sun, not the clock.
Either side of each clock change in 2026Morocco's offset at sunset, sunset at Agafay, and the latest time to leave the medina for a sunset camel ride and dinner on the slower drive.
DayOffsetSunsetLeave the medina by
Clocks back an hour for Ramadan: 15 February 2026 at 03:00
14 February 2026UTC+119:1917:49
15 February 2026UTC+018:2016:50
Clocks forward an hour after Ramadan: 22 March 2026 at 02:00
21 March 2026UTC+018:4517:15
22 March 2026UTC+119:4618:16
Clocks back an hour to GMT: 20 September 2026 at 02:00
19 September 2026UTC+119:3318:03
20 September 2026UTC+018:3217:02

The change times are the official ones, in the clock time that applied before each change. Clocks changed in the small hours of a Sunday, so no evening tour ran across one.

Ramadan 2026 as it ran

The Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs announced that Ramadan 1447 began in Morocco on 19 February 2026, after the crescent moon was sighted on the evening of 18 February. Eid al-Fitr fell on 20 March 2026, so the month lasted 29 days. The ministry decides by crescent observation through its inspectors and delegates across the country, which is why the first and last days are confirmed only the evening before.

For a visitor the switch showed up in the pickup times. On 14 February 2026 a sunset camel ride and dinner meant leaving the medina by 17:49; on 15 February 2026, under almost the same sunset but with the clock back an hour, by 16:50. In late March it went the other way.

The clock change for Ramadan 2026 rested on Head of Government order no. 3.06.26 of 29 January 2026. The ministry's notice set the times. With the country on GMT since 20 September, there is no hour ahead of GMT left to give back for Ramadan.

Ramadan 1447 began
19 February 2026
Eid al-Fitr
20 March 2026
Length
29 days
Clocks back
15 February 2026 at 03:00
Clocks forward
22 March 2026 at 02:00

Ramadan from 2027: what moves and what stays

No clock change is set for Ramadan. Decree no. 2.26.530 says nothing about Ramadan, and the IANA time zone database records permanent UTC+0 without daylight saving from 20 September 2026. Unless the government announces a change, a tour that leaves at a given time in the week before Ramadan leaves at the same clock time for the same sunset in the week after, give or take the minutes the season adds.

The dates move. Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, so it comes earlier in the year each year, and in Morocco the start is set by sighting the crescent: the Ministry of Habous confirms the first and last days only the evening before. Leave a day of slack in plans that depend on the exact start or on Eid.

The day moves too. Sunset is the meal that breaks the fast, and a sunset outing in Agafay lands at exactly that hour. Drivers, guides and camp staff may be fasting too; ask the operator how the evening runs that week.

Jemaa el-Fna at sunset as the food stalls open, with the Koutoubia minaret in the distance
Jemaa el-Fna at sunset as the food stalls open, with the Koutoubia minaret in the distance.Photo: Herokk / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Eating, drinking and alcohol in the daytime

Three governments' travel advice for Morocco, each in its own words.

  • France Diplomatie, advice of 15 September 2026

    During Ramadan it is not possible to buy alcohol, and still less to drink it in public.

  • UK FCDO, advice of 19 August 2026

    Eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public in the daytime during Ramadan may cause offence.

  • Australia's Smartraveller, advice of 29 July 2026

    During Ramadan most restaurants, cafés and delivery services in Morocco do not operate during the day.

For a day in Marrakech that means breakfast at your riad or hotel, water in your bag rather than in your hand in the street, and lunch where the hotel serves it. Whether a camp serves wine in Ramadan, and how its dinner runs that month, is a question for the camp before you book, whether you book an evening such as Agafay Sunset: Camel Ride, Dinner & Fire Show or a night in a camp. The Agafay desert dinner page has the menus and the shows.

An Agafay evening in Ramadan

A sunset camel ride and dinner works the same way in Ramadan as in any month: the ride ends at sunset and dinner follows. Only the timing on the clock follows the season. For dates either side of a clock change, compare the pickup time on your booking with the planner on the home page, which uses the clock that applies on that date.

If you land in Ramadan and head straight to a camp, the airport to Agafay transfer page gives the drive and the pickups.

Questions about Ramadan in Marrakech

What time zone is Marrakech in now?

Marrakech, like all of Morocco, has been on Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0) since 20 September 2026, under decree no. 2.26.530. The decree sets no summer time and says nothing about Ramadan. Phones that set the time automatically follow it through the IANA time zone database, which recorded the change in July 2026.

When was Ramadan 2026 in Morocco?

Ramadan 1447 began on 19 February 2026 after the crescent was sighted the evening before, and Eid al-Fitr fell on 20 March 2026, as the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs announced. The month lasted 29 days. The clocks went back an hour shortly before it began and forward again just after Eid.

Will Morocco change its clocks for Ramadan 2027?

None has been announced. Decree no. 2.26.530 repealed the 2018 decree that kept Morocco an hour ahead of GMT, and the IANA time zone database records permanent UTC+0 with no daylight saving. The 2026 Ramadan change rested on a separate order of the Head of Government, so watch for an announcement in the weeks before Ramadan 2027. The dates of Ramadan 2027 are confirmed by the Ministry of Habous after the crescent is sighted, so check them the week before you travel.

Can you drink alcohol in Marrakech during Ramadan?

France Diplomatie states that during Ramadan you cannot buy alcohol, and still less drink it in public. Ask a camp or hotel before you book rather than assume. The UK FCDO adds that eating, drinking or smoking in public in the daytime may cause offence.

Sources

  1. Smartraveller states that during Ramadan most restaurants, cafés and delivery services in Morocco do not operate during the day. Smartraveller (DFAT), Morocco travel advice, Religious festivals, 29 July 2026.
  2. The Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs announced, in a communiqué reproduced in full by state broadcaster SNRT, that Ramadan 1447 began in Morocco on Thursday 19 February 2026, after the crescent was sighted on the evening of 18 February; start date 19 February 2026. SNRT News (national broadcaster) reporting the Ministry of Habous communiqué, 18 February 2026.
  3. The Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs announced, in a communiqué carried by MAP and state broadcaster SNRT, that Eid al-Fitr 1447 (1 Shawwal) fell in Morocco on Friday 20 March 2026, the Shawwal crescent having been sighted on 19 March; date 20 March 2026. Hespress, report of the Ministry of Habous communiqué of 19 March 2026.
  4. Ramadan 1447 lasted 29 days in Morocco: the Ministry of Habous communiqué carried by MAP and SNRT states the Shawwal crescent was sighted on the evening of 29 Ramadan (19 March 2026); days: 29. Hespress, report of the Ministry of Habous communiqué of 19 March 2026.
  5. Hespress, reporting the Ministry of Habous communiqué of 19 March 2026, states the ministry watched for the Shawwal crescent through its awqaf inspectors, Islamic-affairs delegates and Royal Armed Forces units; method: crescent observation. Hespress, report of the Ministry of Habous communiqué of 19 March 2026.
  6. Since 20 September 2026 Morocco's legal time is Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0), as set by royal decree 455.67 of 2 June 1967 and restored by decree no. 2.26.530. Kingdom of Morocco, Bulletin officiel (Arabic edition) no. 7521, 13 Muharram 1448 (29 June 2026), p. 3768: Decree no. 2.26.530 of 9 Muharram 1448 (25 June 2026) on legal time, 25 June 2026.
  7. Decree no. 2.26.530 repeals, from 20 September 2026, decree no. 2.18.855 of 16 Safar 1440 (26 October 2018) on legal time. Kingdom of Morocco, Bulletin officiel (Arabic edition) no. 7521, 13 Muharram 1448 (29 June 2026), p. 3768: Decree no. 2.26.530 of 9 Muharram 1448 (25 June 2026) on legal time, 25 June 2026.
  8. Decree no. 2.26.530 was signed by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and countersigned by the Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah 25 June 2026. Kingdom of Morocco, Bulletin officiel (Arabic edition) no. 7521, 13 Muharram 1448 (29 June 2026), p. 3768: Decree no. 2.26.530 of 9 Muharram 1448 (25 June 2026) on legal time, 25 June 2026.
  9. The IANA tz database (africa file) records that from 28 October 2018 until 20 September 2026 Morocco kept UTC+1 all year apart from a return to UTC+0 during Ramadan, under the 2018 decree (no. 2.18.855) that decree 2.26.530 repealed; offset UTC+1. IANA Time Zone Database, file 'africa' (Morocco commentary and Zone Africa/Casablanca), release 2026f, 27 October 2026.
  10. For Ramadan 2026 the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform announced the return to GMT by setting clocks back 60 minutes from 3:00 on Sunday 15 February 2026. Ministère de la Transition numérique et de la Réforme de l'Administration (MMSP), Retour à l'heure légale du Royaume (GMT), news release, 2 February 2026.
  11. The Ministry announced that at the end of Ramadan 2026 clocks went forward 60 minutes from 2:00 on Sunday 22 March 2026 22 March 2026 at 02:00. Ministère de la Transition numérique et de la Réforme de l'Administration (MMSP), Retour à l'heure légale du Royaume (GMT), news release, 2 February 2026.
  12. The Ramadan 2026 time change rested on Head of Government order no. 3.06.26 of 29 January 2026 on legal time. Ministère de la Transition numérique et de la Réforme de l'Administration (MMSP), Retour à l'heure légale du Royaume (GMT), news release, 2 February 2026.
  13. The IANA tz database release 2026c (8 July 2026) records that Morocco moves to permanent UTC+0 without daylight saving on 20 September 2026 at 02:00 (its africa source file cites decree no. 2.26.530, Bulletin officiel 7521 and MAP): 20 September 2026 at 02:00. IANA Time Zone Database, NEWS file (release 2026c) and 'africa' commentary, 8 July 2026.
  14. The Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs website gives prayer times according to the Kingdom's official time, stated as GMT. Ministère des Habous et des Affaires Islamiques, website home page (in maintenance), 13 November 2026.
  15. State broadcaster SNRT reported that Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch announced Morocco's return to legal time (GMT) from the end of summer after the Council of Government on 25 June 2026. Morocco World News, Confirmed: Morocco to Restore GMT on September 20 (news), 25 June 2026.
  16. France Diplomatie states that during Ramadan it is not possible to buy alcohol, and still less to drink it in public. France Diplomatie (MEAE), Conseils aux voyageurs Maroc, Informations utiles, 15 September 2026.
  17. The UK FCDO states that during Ramadan eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public in the daytime may cause offence. UK FCDO, Morocco travel advice, Safety and security, 19 August 2026.
  18. Sunrise, sunset and civil dusk at Agafay, in Morocco's legal time. NOAA solar calculation for the Agafay Desert point (31.48396°N, 8.19105°W, Wikidata Q86301994), clock times in Morocco's legal time (time zone Africa/Casablanca; UTC+0 since 20 September 2026 under decree 2.26.530)

Photographs

  1. Jemaa el-Fna. Photo: Herokk / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0