Ramadan 2027 · Makkah and Madinah · based on the official 2026 guidance

Ramadan 2027 in Makkah and Madinah: When to Go and How to Beat the Crowds

About 43.84 million visits were recorded at the two holy mosques in the first ten days of Ramadan 2026. A visit without a plan can cost you hours in queues.

I am Rohail Arshad, founder of Hujjaj Umrah Taxi. Saudi Arabia has not published its Ramadan 2027 rules yet. This guide uses the official 2026 guidance as the best predictor and names the source of each figure. Where a detail may change, I say so.

Ramadan 2027 Dates

Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February, about ten days earlier than in 2026. Saudi Arabia confirms the start by moon sighting, so every date below can move by one day.

An earlier Ramadan also means cooler weather. February highs in Makkah average about 33°C (91°F), with lows near 20°C (68°F), based on 1991 to 2020 climate averages. Authorities advise visitors to stay hydrated, rest enough and avoid heat exposure.

The Odd Nights of the Last Ten

Aisha reported in Sahih al-Bukhari that the Prophet said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." Each night begins at sunset, so the dates below start on the evening shown.

These dates follow the expected start on 8 February and will move with the moon sighting. The Haram is usually busiest on these nights, so I recommend arriving well before Isha and following the green and red signs at the entrances.

Crowd Numbers: What Is Real

Social media posts claimed that 11 million visitors gathered in Makkah on a single day, 23 February 2026. Gulf Good News reports no official confirmation of that figure, and says such numbers usually reflect monthly totals, not daily attendance.

The opening figure of 43.84 million comes from Saudi Arabia's Pilgrim Experience Program. It counts visits to both mosques, not unique individuals, so it is not a daily Umrah count. Gulf Good News reports the highest single-day Umrah attendance at about 500,000, during Ramadan 2025. Treat any daily figure far above that with caution.

First, Middle or Last Ten Nights of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia

The official crowd advice covers the last ten nights, which tells me that is when planning matters most. Wego advises booking Umrah six to eight weeks ahead and suggests first-timers avoid the last ten nights.

I recommend the last ten nights only if those nights matter to you spiritually. Otherwise, an earlier week gives you more room, though the Ministry has not published crowd windows for it.

What the Haram Looks Like in Ramadan

Expect heavy congestion in the central area before and after prayers. The 2026 guidance sets out the main rules, and I expect similar ones in 2027:

• Digital signs at the entrances show green when prayer areas are open and red when they are full.
• Private vehicles are restricted in central zones during peak hours, with shuttles and parking on the city outskirts.
• Motorcycles, bicycles and unauthorised vehicles are banned from central pedestrian areas.
• Elderly worshippers get priority pathways and electric carts.
• Families are advised to keep children out of the densest crowds at peak prayers.
• Begging, smoking and unauthorised selling are prohibited, and you should leave promptly after prayers so the exits stay clear.

Best Hours for Umrah in Ramadan

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah published crowd windows for the last ten days of Ramadan 2026, based on traffic in the first two weeks. Gulf News reported them in March 2026.

I recommend planning your Umrah in the off-peak window and resting before Taraweeh. Do not treat these hours as guaranteed for 2027, because the Ministry may publish new ones.

Permits to Book Before You Travel

Umrah permits are obtained digitally through Nusuk, and popular dates fill quickly. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.

The Rawdah in Madinah needs its own Nusuk permit. Halal Booking reports that slots are usually released 7 to 14 days ahead, and only 3 to 5 days ahead in Ramadan. Sessions last 30 to 45 minutes, with separate times for men and women. Save the QR code once you book, because mobile signal inside the mosque can be weak.

Itikaf in the Last Ten Days

Itikaf runs from 20 Ramadan until the end of Isha on the night of Eid, according to Saudipedia. You register through the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque. Use its website or the Nusuk app.

In 2026, the Authority reviewed applications against available capacity and notified selected applicants by text message. The 2027 process has not been announced.

If you are accepted, plan for these rules:

• Suhur and iftar meals are provided, so you may not bring in food.
• You may bring one prayer mat, one lightweight blanket, one pillow and two ihram garments.
• You must attend Taraweeh and Tahajjud with the imam.
• Men and women use separate areas, in the basement of King Fahd's Expansion.

Iftar at the Two Mosques

The General Authority announced 227,000 iftar meals a day at the Prophet's Mosque in Ramadan 2025. Serving iftar there needs a permit, and in 2025 the Authority banned advertising and promotion while meals are distributed.

Follow the instructions of mosque staff when meals are handed out.

Dress and Conduct

Discover Makkah encourages women to wear loose clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. An abaya is an option in religious and traditional areas. Men should avoid very short or snug clothes.

Safety Checklist From the 2026 Guidance

Authorities gave visitors a short list for Ramadan 2026. I would keep it on your phone:

1. Learn the emergency exits in your accommodation.
2. Avoid overloading electrical sockets, and keep fire safety equipment accessible.
3. Stay hydrated, rest properly and seek medical help if you feel unwell.
4. Keep your belongings with you, and report suspicious activity immediately.
5. Do not gather in entrances, corridors or emergency exits.

Book Ramadan Rides With Hujjaj Umrah Taxi

I run Hujjaj Umrah Taxi, part of Al Harbi Transport, and the company is registered with Nusuk. With private vehicles restricted in central zones at peak hours, authorities point visitors to buses, taxis and the Haramain train. A ride you book ahead is one less thing to arrange at sunset.

Nothing is charged online when you book, and cancellation is free up to 12 hours before pickup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Umrah in Ramadan equal to Hajj?

It equals Hajj in reward, but it does not replace the obligatory Hajj. Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet said, "Perform Umrah when Ramadan comes, for Umrah in it is equivalent to Hajj." This is in Sahih Muslim. Scholars explain that the equivalence concerns reward. Ask a scholar about your own case.

Can I eat or drink in public in Makkah during Ramadan?

Discover Makkah asks non-Muslim visitors not to eat, drink or smoke in public from dawn to sunset. Wego reports that most restaurants and cafés close during fasting hours and reopen after Maghrib. Some serve takeaway. Check the hours of the place you plan to use before you rely on it.

Can I take photos inside the mosques during Ramadan?

Discover Makkah says photography inside mosques is generally prohibited during prayer times. Because Ramadan prayers are long and crowded, keep your phone away during Taraweeh and follow the signs and the staff at each entrance. If you are unsure whether photos are allowed in a particular area, ask a staff member first.

Do I have to pay for a Rawdah permit?

No. Halal Booking states that Rawdah permits are free and warns against third parties that charge for booking access. Book only inside the Nusuk app, where the available slots appear. Slots are released at set times and fill within minutes, so check the app daily as your travel date approaches.

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