You’re welcoming Ramadan by traveling in Tunisia or elsewhere in the MENA region. We are welcoming Ramadan by curating a playlist for people who have no clue about how to spice up their Ramadan trips.
“Sing and say it
Welcome Ramadan”
This chorus in one of the most famous Ramadan songs, these two verses can sum up the vibes of Ramadan across the region. If you’re in one of the Arab cities before Ramadan, we bet you’ve heard this song. But, as we understand the language barrier, we want to tell you: this song is known by our grandparents and grandchildren alike.
Triggered to know what it is? It’s “Ramadan Gana'' meaning“Ramadan is Here”. But, we won’t include it in your Ramadan trip playlist.
Ramadan trips can be the best trips you embark on. Don’t be confused by long queues, loud quarles on stalls scattered on the sidewalks, or the sad faces strolling the streets! Ramadan comes with a mixture of paradoxes that you, as a tourist, may not be able to fathom.
The good thing: no one is expecting you to understand what’s going on. The only thing you can sense, enjoy and adhere to is the festivities.
Spice up Your Ramadan Day Trip with this Playlist
Traveling during Ramadan days may be challenging. But, first, let’s debunk some myths about it.
“Everything is closed in mornings and afternoons”: You will be able to purchase whatever you need in big supermarkets and corner shops alike. We recommend purchasing food in bulk if you’re planning for long road trips in Tunisia. And, this is not because shops are closed in Ramadan, but some roads are usually deserted. Beware, Google Maps itineraries lack the location of local shops.
“I can’t eat during the day”: usually as a tourist, we tend to comply with the rules of the country we’re visiting. Out of respect, non-muslim would prefer discretion. But, eating in your car, at tourist sites, or in open tourist restaurants wouldn’t get you in trouble.
“Those who fast would be unwilling to help tourists”: fasting has nothing to do with interreligious interactions. On the contrary, fraternity, hospitality, and sharing are the common values enhanced during this month. We recommend using local language for greeting so you implicitly tell your addressees that you respect and cherish their culture, rituals, and traditions.
If you’re in Tunisia you can say “Rumdanik Mabrouk” meaning “happy Ramadan” while initiating a talk.
Just to wrap up for you: be decent and respectful to the culture you’re around. This way, you will be welcomed wholeheartedly.
Taking a road Ramadan trip during the day? Here is a playlist curated for you to enjoy your drive while listening to Arabic music. Some Arab indie, underground and Amazigh songs are spiced up with some classics and folklore songs.
Get Yourself into the Vibes of Iftar with this Playlist
A few hours before the break-fast, some stores are closed. People are too busy preparing their meals. Quran and religious songs are heard everywhere. But don’t be fooled by what you hear about this time of the day.
“I won’t be able to find an open place to eat during the Iftar”: Some foreigners think people break their fast at home and don’t go to restaurants. This is false. During Ramadan, almost all the restaurants offer special menus for Iftar (In Tunisia, it’s called “shaqan il fatr”).
During your itinerary plan, make sure to reach the destination before the iftar. Or at least, break your Ramadan trip accordingly.
This way, you will be able to live a local experience of “shaqan il fatr”. Usually, before an hour of the break fast, all mosques put the Quran out loud.
People are gathered at home waiting for the call to prayer and preparing the table. You will see a few people hurrying up in the streets to do late errands. But, usually, cities are calm. The vibes are so chill and spiritual.
In Tunisia, most restaurants provide a purely Tunisian menu for Iftar. We recommend being around locals, seeing how festivities are held, and noticing how traditions are kept.
Starting with a glass of water or lben (fermented milk), a few dates, a chorba (tomato soup), and an oily yet tasty brik. Please, tell the chief your preferences when it comes to the brik. As you need to articulate your preferences clearly when it comes to how you prefer the yolk to be cooked.
Except for this, you’re all covered. As the Iftar menu is a full course meal, take a tour around the city and see how people flood cafés and cultural places.
Here is a playlist you can enjoy while driving! We’ve gathered underground traditional music so you can get the vibes of iftar. This is not a religious playlist but some songs are recreations of old folklore songs.
Stay Calm and Start your Ramadan Night Trip with this Cheerful Playlist
We bet you’ve heard « The road is not safe during the night ». One of Ramadan travel’s perks is the long nights. People go out. Musical and cultural events are held. The mosques are full of prayers. Streets are vividly crowded. And, almost every store is open.
If we can recommend one thing for your Ramadan trips, it would be enjoying the night somewhere before hitting the road. At night, you can discover different places.
Hit the road after midnight, if you wish for an unmissable experience. A few hours before the sunrise, you will enjoy a quiet ride.
From Feyrouz and Hedi Jouini to the newest arab musicians, you will add more quietness to the quietness of your ride.
Ramadan in Tunisia, an Unmissable Experience and a Great Opportunity for Road Trips:
Ramadan is all about good things: charity, self-control, sharing, and name it. In Tunisia, Ramadan is celebrated joyfully and Ramadan nights are long, fun, and fascinating. As a tourist, you always seek genuinely authentic experiences. Sipping a coffee in La Medina Tunis; taking a tour in La Medina Zaghouan or heading to Kairouan to catch all the Ramadan vibes. All of these are interesting experiences to embark on.
