The holy month of Ramadan is nearing completion, and the joyous festival of Eid Al Fitr is just days away. For Muslims all over the world, Eid brings marks the celebration of commencement of Ramadan.
Many people, especially from the UAE and Gulf countries travel to popular tourist destinations to ring in the festival.
Some of the most popular destinations during Ramadan and Eid include
1. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is one of the most frequented places during Ramadan and Eid, as it is uniquely positioned as a European country with a predominant Muslim population. Istanbul also remains one of the most densely populated cities after Moscow and Paris.
During the holy month of Ramadan, the city comes truly alive in the evenings. The world famous Blue Mosque becomes the center of religious activities and after-prayer bonhomie.
While there are many well-known tourist attractions in Turkey, including Hagia Sophia Museum, Ancient City of Ephesus, Sultanahmet, and Basilica Cistern, visiting the Blue Mosque is highly recommended if you are travelling during Ramadan or Eid.
Istanbul offers some of the best Halal food to tourists, and some of the noteworthy Halal restaurants worth a visit include Byzantion Bistro Restaurant, Gulhane Sark Sofrasi, Olive Anatolian Restaurant, Old Ottoman Café & Restaurant, and Café Rumist.
Istanbul is known for its cuisine all over the world. Some of the cuisines that you should give a try during your visit include Sucuk, Kavurma, Lahmacun, and Simit.
2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur remains one of the most visited places during Ramadan and Eid. The city is known for its modernity and skyscrapers, but during the month of Ramadan, the evenings are made special by local food stalls serving a wide variety of snacks and desserts. The locals in Kuala Lumpur are on the streets after offering their evening prayers, and there is a sense of joy and love in the air.
The bazaars of Kuala Lumpur become a mingling place for local fasters and international tourists. During evenings, as the locals break their fast, the whole city comes to life with smell of food delicacies traversing all around.
To offer prayers and obeisance, you can visit the National Mosque and Jamek Mosque.
Some of the best Halal food restaurants in Kuala Lumpur are Skillet at 163, BBQ Nights, Arabesque, Betel Leaf, and Bijan. Malaysia visa services from Dubai are quite seamless and one can even plan his tour at the last moment.
3. Bali
Owing to its vicinity to Middle East and high frequency of flights, Bali remains popular among tourists on Ramadan and Eid travel. Bali has something to offer to every traveler – from sandy beaches to botanical gardens. If you are travelling to Bali this Eid, be ready to soak in the religious fervor during the day and tasty cuisines during evenings.
The best tourist attractions in Bali include Tanah Lot, Ubud Monkey Forest, Bali Safari and Marine Park, Pura Ulun Danu, Bratan, and Puri Lukisan Musuem.
Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country, meaning there are a number of mosques where you can pay your obeisance. Some of the mosques you should pay a visit include Nirul Huda Mosque, Assaut Taqwa Mosque, Sudirman Agung Mosque, and Ibnu Batutah Mosque.
Well-known Halal food restaurants in Bali include Tamarind Restaurant, Bali Tamarind Restaurant, and The Halal Boys.
4. Hyderabad
This Indian city of Nizams and Charminar comes alive during the month of Ramadan. There are many cities in India where Muslims have a sizeable population and Hyderabad is one of them. If you are looking at affordable travel option during Ramadan and Eid, few would come close to what Hyderabad has to offer. Travel, accommodation, and eating out is affordable due to favorable exchange rates for travelers from the Middle East.
The best places to visit in Hyderabad during Ramadan are Golkonda, Charminar, Salar Jung Museum, Ramoji Film City, Makkah Masjid, and Chowmahalla Palace.
Popular Halal restaurants in Hyderabad are Paradise Takeaway, Shah Ghouse Café & Restaurant, Café Bahar and Restaurant, and Bawarchi Restaurant.
5. Cairo, Egypt
The cradle of civilization becomes a special place to be at during the month of Ramadan. During the evenings, people in Cairo and all over Egypt decorate their homes and business establishments with festive Ramadan lanterns. The whole city is lit up and from post-dusk to pre-dawn. Majority of people observe fasting and many restaurants are closed during this period.
You can offer Ramadan and Eid prayers at Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Mosque of Muhammad Ali, and Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan.
The best Halal food options in Cairo for Halal food include Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant, Sabaya, Indira Indian Restaurant, and Al Khal Egyptian Restaurant.
These were the top 5 travel destinations for Ramadan and Eid. As the holy month of Ramadan is about to come to an end with the joyous festival of Eid, hotel bookings and flight tickets have started to become relatively expensive. You stil have time to get some good deals, so hurry up to get started!