If you’re considering traveling to Tunisia in the holy month, we bet you’ve been googling things, asking questions on FB groups and looking for locals to give you as many details as possible. So, in order to make your visit to Tunisia during Ramadan as smooth and pleasant as possible, WildyNess Team compiled a list of things to do and not to do.
Tips on Interacting with Locals in Tunisia During Ramadan
Accept food from locals
Ramadan is all about serenity, generosity and empathy. We’ve been told by our clients and community members that some people, especially vendors, invite them to try some food or, even, give them water. It’s totally normal, as locals don’t expect tourists coming to Tunisia during Ramadan to be fasting. They are only expecting mutual respect.
Do not refuse any food you might be offered. It’s a sign of empathy.
Accept an invitation to break fasting
Iftar, known in Tunisia as Shakan Fatr, is an important meal during Ramadan. Locals in the regions may go too generous to invite you to share this meal with them. It’s a sign of hospitality and generosity. Don’t hesitate to accept the invitation.
If this ever happens to you, you are lucky to live authentic moments of this special month.
Act tactfully :
This is not only related to Ramadan. No one should be aggressive, abusive or violent. In Ramadan, some people tend to be on their nerves. And, they may act tactless with you. In your interactions with locals, try to be emotionally intelligent and read the situation. Don’t ask someone, who seems tired, about the directions. Or, interfere in a conversation you feel is intense or virulent.
Act with patience with vendors and service-providers. They are tired and trying their best to cater for their clients’ needs, yet they are human beings. Also, try to say “no” with manners to people approaching you to offer their services.
Avoid drinking, eating and smoking in public
Fasting means eating only after sunset to sunrise. During the day, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking (yes, even water), and smoking. In Tunisia, locals don’t expect tourists to fast or abstain from eating or drinking publicly.
But, if you were in a fasting Muslim’s shoes, you wouldn’t do this. That’s why, we highly recommend refraining from these things publicly.
Things can be flexible, though. If it’s scorching hot, you can sip water while trying to be as private as you can. Or, if you’re in the street and feeling hungry or thirsty, you can look for an open place. Usually, open cafés and restaurants cover their windows (and doors, if they are transparent) with newspaper papers.
Expats groups on Facebook always make sure to compile a list of open places where you can peacefully eat, drink and smoke. Here is a google map link made by Jakub Sypiański compiling all open places in Tunis.
Legally speaking, there are no penalties applicable to foreigners. So, don’t worry about exploring Tunisia during Ramadan.
Watch your hands
Some people are handsy or tactile more than others. During Ramadan and in public spaces, try to keep your hands in your pockets. For instance, if you’re strolling in La Medina, try not to kiss or hug. In crowded places, this may be provocative and offensive.
Turn down the music during the call to prayer
You may be gasping now! But, hold on a second. We’re aware that the majority is using headphones or earphone to listen to music and relax. Listening to music is perfectly fine. There is no law prohibiting it. However, the only case that turning up the music loudly may be offensive is during the call to prayer.
There are 5 calls to prayer during the day, including the one calling for sunset prayer, meaning breaking fast. If you hear the call, refrain from playing loud music and speaking or laughing loudly.
This tip comes in handy for those who are opting for driving while exploring Tunisia. You may be tempted to play loud music and enjoy your road trips, which is perfectly fine. We have curated a special playlist for you to enjoy in your road trip. However, make sure to turn the music down once you hear the call to prayer. If you see a mosque nearby, it would be respectful not to play music while you’re there, as people are praying.
Follow the dress code
Discussing what a proper attire means can be a very interesting topic. But, not now! Tourists may find it challenging to picture what is accepted and what is not. This is why, they tend to keep dressing the way they are used to. Visiting a muslim-majority country during Ramadan comes with a lot of research. Learning about the customs and culture of the country before landing is highly recommended. But, it shouldn’t seem in any way something too challenging, stressing or hindering.
Tunisia is a bit flexible when it comes to how men and women who may dress as they wish. Nevertheless, there are a few codes to abide by. Avoid short skirts or dresses, low-cut collar, or transparent clothing.
If you are too afraid of offending locals, the easiest thing to do if you’re a woman is to opt for long dresses or shirts and jeans. Men can go with shorts and shirts.
Don't dress in anything overly dazzling or ostentatious. Yet, these guidelines can differ from one situation to another. If you’re heading to relatively non-urban cities, it would be fair to dress from the shoulders to knees.
Check our ultimate guide: What to Pack & Wear in Tunisia : Top Items You May Need As a (Female) Traveler
What to expect while Travelling in Tunisia during Ramadan
Everyday Life During Ramadan in Tunisia :
Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn until dusk and abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking, is seen as a time of self-control but also a time for celebration. Traveling to a nation with a sizable Muslim population during Ramadan can be exceedingly unusual.
If you really want to pamper yourself, schedule your trip towards the conclusion of the month, so you can take part in and experience Eid Al-Fitr, the final celebration that signifies the completion of Ramadan.
For a whole month, a new daily rhythm is introduced, including sunrise to sunset fasting, prayer times, and a meal to break the fast. This new beat has an effect on many aspects of existence.
In Tunisia, Ramadan has its own particularities and vibes. Everyday life in Ramadan is completely altered due to the long fasting hours. At night, the city becomes vivid and lively.
The second half of Ramadan is the most vivid period. Locals would often go out to drink a coffee, meet friends and loved one, shop for the Eid and enjoy this time of the year.
Travelling to Tunisia during Ramadan may turn out to be a good idea, if you’re still unsure.
An eye-opening and intriguing experience, exploring the country in this holy month will surprise more than you think.
Plan your day according to Iftar hours :
Try to plan your trips, tours and activities smartly. Local shops are usually close during the early hours of the day. Nevertheless, supermarkets are open and offering the grocery you may need. If you’re not in one of the big cities, try to buy all you need at night.
When planing to go from one place to another, check the time and plan your day accordingly. For instance, if you need cigarettes and some snacks for your day trip, you should shop the night before to save time and spare the energy of looking for an open local shop at 6 am.
If you’re moving in the regions of Tunisia, you may want to have everything with you, as shops don’t open till 10 am.
Alcohol beverages:
Ramadan is also a month of sobriety. Even though Tunisia is less conservative than other Muslim/ Arab countries, the public sale of alcohol is prohibited during Ramadan. You won’t be able to find drinks in supermarkets that normally sell them. There may be a stash that large hotels and resorts that serve tourists are willing to sell to customers, but these locations are few and far between.
Avoid Planning on doing much just before and after Iftar
When compiling your schedule, bear in mind that all people are home breaking their fast. So, cities would be empty for at least one hour and a half and businesses would be closed for at least 3 hours. Keep in mind that taxis wouldn’t be available at these time slots.
If you’re lucky enough to find one, you will meet the famished driver speeding off to his house, who will give you the ride of your life. Everything will be smooth and just fine with a planning your day smartly.
Ramadan's festivities in Tunisia
Medina Lights Festival
In Ramadan, La Medina of Tunis got donned with flashy colors to literally embody the festive vibes. In Bab Bhar, the big entering door of La Medina, you can attend artistic and cultural exhibitions and performances. If you’re into history, artisan artcrafts and workshops, you will find your happiness here.
As Ramadan resonates with mouth watering food, you can expect free food and delicacies to explore the authentic Tunisia cuisine.
The festival aims at highlighting the richness of the Tunisian culture and heritage while supporting the local economy.
Festival de la Médina
The festival of the medina of Tunis is a yearly festival that takes place every Ramadan. Designed to offer good and authentic music, the festival promises unforgettable moments for the public. The festival is held in three places: the Opera Theatre in City of Culture, Bir Lahjar and Dar Lasram in the Medina.
Several evenings will be an opportunity for the audience to discover a variety of Tunisian music, including R'bab, lute, kwîtra, derbouka, violin alto, violin, tarr and mandolin, all of them serving languorous melodies and varied rhythms.
Medina of Kairouan
For being the night of the revelation of the Quran, the 27th night of Ramadan, Lilet 27,is sacred and highly spiritual for Muslims. People usually indulge in meditation and prayer. And, with this comes festivals and celebrations.
In Kairouan, one of the holy cities and spiritual capitals of Islam, an atmosphere of faith and fervor is infused. Thousands of faithful, coming from all regions of Tunisia and the Arab world, gather to make the collective prayers at the Great Mosque of Kairouan, also called Oqba Ibn Nafaa mosque, in memory of its founder.
Night vigils and Sufi shows continue until the Shour. Each year, several regions of the country celebrate this night, by breaking the fast collectively, and meals shared with people in need.
