Originally Posted by
pushka
As a tourist a few years ago I travelled and stayed in Dubai for a week during Ramadan and found it difficult. It was extremely hot and getting even just water was problematic as everything was shut, even though we read on travel forums that something would be open. Even in the hotel in an Executive club we had to eat behind screen. Lots of places were closed, the Malls were empty. I always check my dates now. Food courts were shut. No food to be found.
Duty free at the airport was open but you had to find it behind a large screen.
We had dinner overlooking Burj Al Arab at Jumeriah Beach resort. No alcohol served until 8pm. It was so hot by then we just didn't bother.
Originally Posted by
fbrdky
When are you going? I will be in AUH and MCT in late March and can report on my experience. Although DXB will probably be more lax as there are more tourists? Just guessing
So to follow up on my previous comment: I found that AUH was doable: yes, many "local" food places were closed during the day but most Western places were opened - just not their regular hours but often a few hours after their posted hours. I stayed downtown and there were restaurants, malls, and other tourists things to do. TIP: try to get to a local restaurant about 30 minutes before sundown. There will be more tables and you can finish before the locals arrive for Iftar
MCT other hand wasn't doable during Ramadan. Local souqs, shops and malls didn't open till close to sunset and even after that, were very empty. MCT is also spread out due to its location between the sea and the mountains. I stayed at the InterContinental and it was isolated from all touristy places. The lack of a tourist-accessible public transport didn't help.
It seems that cities with a greater expat presence will be less affected by Ramadan - which makes sense. Now that I know first-hand, I would not travel to Oman, KSA, or even Bahrain during Ramadan..