Ramadan is one of the most important times of the year in Malaysia, a country where Islam is the dominant religion (around 60% of the population is Muslim). For travelers, this holy month offers a unique opportunity to experience Malaysian culture, traditions, and hospitality. However, it also comes with certain customs and traditions that are useful to know about in advance. Read our tips about Ramadan in Malaysia below.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset. It’s a time of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and increased devotion to the faith. Fasting, known as puasa, means refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and other bodily needs during the day. The month ends with Hari Raya Aidilfitri (the festival of breaking the fast), a joyful and festive period that marks the end of fasting.
Important dates and times
Start and end of Ramadan: The exact dates vary each year because they are based on the lunar calendar. For example, Ramadan in 2025 started on the evening of Friday, February 28, and ended on the evening of Sunday, March 30. These were estimates right before the actual start. Each year, Ramadan shifts earlier by a few weeks. For instance, in 2024, Ramadan began on March 10 and ended on April 8.
Daily fasting hours: In Malaysia, fasting usually lasts from around 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., depending on the exact times of sunrise and sunset.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr): This celebration usually lasts two days, but the festive mood can continue for a week or more. Locals often invite friends and acquaintances to their homes for celebrations even weeks after Hari Raya. It’s always a pleasant occasion with lots of delicious food. Visits are usually short, with people coming and going throughout the day.
What travelers can expect during Ramadan
Muslims in Malaysia fast during the day, and in some parts of the country, it’s important to keep this in mind. This is especially true in more traditional provinces such as Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis, and Terengganu, which are known for being more conservative. If possible, try to avoid eating and drinking in public in these states during the day, as it may be seen as disrespectful. Restaurants and cafés run by Muslims are often closed during the day, though other eateries (especially those run by non-Muslims) may still be open — sometimes with adjusted opening hours.
In many tourist destinations, you’ll notice some effects of Ramadan, but otherwise, it’s business as usual. The restaurant at your accommodation — even on islands like Perhentian and Redang — will typically be open as usual (unless it’s a locally run place). In big cities like Kuala Lumpur, everything runs normally. In other popular spots like Penang (Georgetown), Malacca, and Ipoh, most places are also open as usual.
On Malaysian Borneo, the Islamic population also observes Ramadan, but tourists will notice it less. Many attractions remain open, and the cultural mix over there is even more diverse, so not everyone is fasting.
In the evenings, once the sun has set, everything comes alive again — and dining out becomes a festive, sometimes heart-warming experience.
Some businesses, especially government offices and private local companies, may operate with reduced hours during Ramadan. On the flip side, some shopping centers stay open later so people can shop after breaking their fast.
We once found ourselves around 7:30 p.m. at FoodRepublic, the food court in the luxury shopping mall Pavilion in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Everyone — locals and tourists alike — sat with plates of warm food, waiting for puasa to end. It was a special moment, because out of respect for the fast, no one touched their food. When the sun officially set, a prayer call was briefly heard — and then everyone started eating at the same time.
Traffic can get extra busy just before Buka Puasa (Iftar), as people rush home to break their fast. Or the opposite — people may flock to the Ramadan Bazaars just before sunset to buy food (understandably, not many people cook during the day at this time). You could also visit a food court or restaurant after sunset to enjoy a meal. Traffic jams are common in Kuala Lumpur at this time of day, and getting a Grab can be tricky — or much more expensive. That’s why we often take the subway to a convenient location and avoid taxis during peak hours.
Night markets and Ramadan bazaars
Ramadan is known for its lively markets (Ramadan Bazaars), where you can find a wide variety of traditional Malaysian food, snacks, and drinks. These bazaars are really fun and a great place to experience Malaysian culture and cuisine. The atmosphere is always something special. Everyone buys food freshly prepared right in front of them, but you won’t see anyone eating during the day. Everything is neatly packaged and taken home to eat after sunset. Just be aware that the lines at the stalls can get really long around sunset.
The market often starts well before sunrise so that people can grab something for breakfast just before the fast begins (and before they head to work). Most bazaars stay open for a while after sunset, but some stalls may close fairly soon afterward.
The more local the neighborhood, the cooler the Ramadan Bazaar. During our time in Kuala Lumpur, we had a few favorite spots, but over the years they’ve all moved to other locations due to the city’s constant expansion. So it’s best to ask your accommodation for tips on where to find the best Ramadan Bazaars.
Charity and giving
Ramadan is also a time of charity and generosity. You’ll see donation boxes and campaigns for zakat (alms) in many public places. If you’re a tourist in Malaysia, you’re more than welcome to throw in some loose ringgits. The proceeds go to charity — often to help the local population in poorer areas of Malaysia.
Experiencing Ramadan as a tourist
Berbuka Puasa or Buka Puasa (known internationally as Iftar) is the meal Muslims eat to break their fast at sunset. Many hotels, restaurants, and even mosques organize buka puasa buffets at fixed (often low) prices. These food festivals are also a great experience for tourists. It’s a fun way to enjoy Malaysian hospitality and try traditional dishes like nasi kerabu, ayam percik, and kuih-muih (local sweet treats).
Luxury hotels in particular — especially the local chains with Malaysian owners — often go all out with their buffets, offering special packages. Many families even book a spot months in advance just for the buffet, without staying the night. In Kuala Lumpur, almost every luxury hotel puts on a typical Ramadan buffet.
Tip: Book your “all-you-can-eat” Ramadan buffet in advance on popular platforms like Klook.com to get the best prices.
Is it better to avoid traveling to Malaysia during Ramadan?
Not at all. Ramadan is actually a special and unique time to visit the country. Almost all tourist destinations are open during this period, and in fact, things are often quieter than usual — if there’s any noticeable change at all.
We’ve always found it a beautiful and memorable experience. Even if Ramadan happened to fall during peak tourist season, that wouldn’t stop us from visiting.
In tourist areas, everything is usually open during the day — including 90% of the places travelers typically visit during their trip around Malaysia. If you’re unsure whether a specific destination is less active during Ramadan, you can always ask in our popular (and private) Facebook group “Friends of Malaysia.”
And even if you do find yourself in an area where something is closed during the day because of Ramadan, it’s usually not a big deal — there are always plenty of alternatives nearby.
Tips
- In a predominantly Islamic province like Kelantan (where the Perhentian and Redang islands are also located), many restaurants are closed during Ramadan. However, there are also many Chinese-Malaysians living in the province, and there’s often still a decent selection of eateries available. Sometimes these places stay open during the day in Ramadan, often with adjusted hours. That said, things are generally quieter than usual, as the local population is considerate of each other. This is often why some non-muslim restaurants close too — there’s just no point in opening if only a few people come to eat.
- On Perhentian, restaurants at very local accommodations were often closed during the day (but open in the evening). That said, it’s possible that nearby places are still open. If you’re staying in a remote part of the island during Ramadan, it’s best to check in advance whether they’re open during the day. Even if not, you can always take a taxi boat to another part of the island.
- In some places, Malaysia feels a little less vibrant during Ramadan — which makes sense, considering many locals don’t eat or drink during the day for an entire month. Some travelers see this as a downside, while others feel it adds to the authentic experience of the destination.
- Muslims visiting Malaysia as tourists during Ramadan are often expected to fast (which makes sense).
- Daily fasting times in Malaysia are almost always the same, unlike countries further north or south where it depends on the number of daylight hours.
- Be sure to plan ahead, especially around Hari Raya. Locals usually have a few days off and everyone travels to their hometowns or family villages (Balik Kampung). Roads get super busy, and bus, train, and flight tickets are often sold out well in advance.
- Accommodations are often less likely to be fully booked during Ramadan, so you can find great deals around this time.
- Airline tickets to Malaysia aren’t usually significantly cheaper during Ramadan.
- Shopping centers are often nice and quiet during Ramadan. Where it’s normally packed on weekends, there’s often a much more relaxed vibe.
- Accommodations on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula are open during Ramadan. Some local hotels may have restaurants that are closed during the day and only serve breakfast before sunrise. In the evening, they often offer elaborate buffet dinners. On islands like Perhentian and Redang, all accommodations remain open during Ramadan.
- Muslims often eat dinner quickly, as there’s only a relatively short time between sunset and evening prayers (Tarawih).
- While it’s respectful not to eat in front of fasting Muslims during Ramadan, most Malaysian Muslims don’t mind at all. They totally understand that life goes on — especially for tourists and families with kids.
- The popular site Klook.com, known for cheap entry tickets and online activity bookings, also shares a list of popular Ramadan Iftar buffet dinners (especially in Kuala Lumpur). You can often get a significant discount by booking online in advance. It’s best to book early — these all-you-can-eat buffets are super popular during Ramadan and often sell out ahead of time.
Suggestions?
Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of any great things to do in Malaysia, or tips on the best places to eat? Let us know by leaving a reply below or join our private Facebook Group Friends of Malaysia.
jasonedward
10 hours ago
March 27, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Experiencing Malaysia during Ramadan offers a unique cultural insight. I enjoy the vibrant night markets, special festive dishes, and the warm sense of community. Being rio grande rv park mindful of local customs, adjusting meal times, and exploring post-sunset festivities make the visit even more rewarding and respectful of the local traditions.