The short answer
Iftar, the meal that breaks the fast, is at the sunset call to prayer. By our solar calculation for Marrakech, sunset moves from about 18:12 at the expected start of Ramadan on 8 February 2027 to about 18:36 by 9 March. The fast begins at dawn, roughly 05:50 at the start, falling to about 05:25.
In more detail
These times come from our own sun calculation for Jemaa el-Fnaa, on Moroccan legal time, which has been GMT (UTC+0) all year since 20 September 2026. Sunrise and sunset are accurate to about a minute. The dawn time uses the 19° angle that Morocco's ministry uses for the dawn prayer. The official prayer timetable is the one mosques follow, so check it for the exact minute on your dates.
In practice the city slows through the afternoon and then empties in the half hour before iftar as people hurry home. Shops pull down shutters, taxis are hard to find, and the streets go quiet. Once the call sounds, everyone eats: dates, harira soup, milk, eggs, msemen and sweet chebakia.
An hour or so later the medina comes back to life, busier than on a normal evening. If you want to be out at iftar, book a table, or ask your riad to set a place: many will. Do not plan a taxi ride or a transfer for that half hour.
Good to know
- Around 8 February 2027: sunset about 18:12.
- Around 15 February 2027: sunset about 18:18.
- Around 9 March 2027: sunset about 18:36.
- Avoid transfers in the half hour before sunset.