Ramadan transforms cities across the region, and some of the most meaningful experiences centre on its mosques. The historic mosques the Middle East travellers seek during the Holy Month aren't only places of worship but also longstanding centres of community and scholarship. For those researching mosques to visit during Ramadan, understanding both religious significance and visitor access rules is essential.

From the holiest sites in Islam to major examples of Islamic architecture the Middle East is known for, these are key historic mosques to visit during Ramadan, with clear guidance on access for non-Muslim visitors.

Among all famous mosques in the Middle East, Al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah holds the highest religious status in Islam. The mosque surrounds the Kaaba and is the focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage and the direction of prayer (Qibla) for Muslims worldwide.

During Ramadan, the mosque hosts large congregational Taraweeh prayers and increased numbers of Umrah pilgrims.

Access is strictly regulated:

Located in Madinah, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque) is the second holiest mosque in Islam. It was originally established by the Prophet Muhammad in 622 CE and later expanded multiple times. The mosque contains the burial site of the Prophet Muhammad.

During Ramadan, large congregations gather for nightly Taraweeh prayers, and organised iftar meals are distributed to fasting worshippers within the mosque’s courtyards.

Non-Muslims may enter the city of Madinah. However, entry to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is restricted to Muslims. For Muslim visitors, it is one of the most important mosques to attend during Ramadan.

Quba Mosque was established in 622 CE shortly after the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijra) from Makkah to Madinah. It is widely recognised in Islamic tradition as the first mosque built in Islam.

The mosque remains an active place of worship and receives increased visitors during Ramadan. For those interested in early Islamic architecture and Middle East history, the Quba Mosque represents foundational Islamic heritage.

Access to Quba Mosque is restricted to Muslims.

Founded in 970 CE during the Fatimid Caliphate, Al-Azhar Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Cairo and became the centre of Al-Azhar University, a major institution of Sunni Islamic scholarship.

During Ramadan, Al-Azhar hosts large congregations for Taraweeh prayers and religious lessons.

Al-Azhar Mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times, provided visitors observe modest dress and respectful behaviour. It remains one of the most significant historic mosques that Middle East travellers can visit.

Completed in 2007, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world, with a capacity of approximately 40,000 worshippers. It is a contemporary example of monumental Islamic architecture in the Middle East.

During Ramadan, the mosque has hosted large-scale communal iftar meals for fasting individuals, and evening prayers attract significant attendance.

The mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times, including during Ramadan, although visiting hours may be adjusted.

For travellers interested in visiting mosques during Ramadan for non-Muslims, this mosque is among the most accessible in the region.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I of the Ottoman Empire. It remains an active mosque.

During Ramadan, the mosque hosts nightly Taraweeh prayers and serves as a central gathering place in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times. Visitors must follow established mosque etiquette for tourists, including modest clothing and removal of shoes before entering the prayer hall.

It remains one of the most visited and recognisable examples of Ottoman-era Islamic architecture in the Middle East and Turkey.

When planning Ramadan mosque visits, especially when visiting mosques during Ramadan as non-Muslims, the following guidelines apply:

Dress modestly (long trousers or skirts; covered shoulders; head covering for women in many mosques).

Regulations may vary by country and mosque administration.

The best mosques to visit in Ramadan depend on religious intention and visitor eligibility. Al-Masjid al-Haram and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi are reserved for Muslims and hold the highest religious significance. Al-Azhar Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque are accessible to non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times.

Together, these sites represent some of the most important and accessible historic mosques Middle East travellers can experience during the Holy Month, offering insight into living traditions shaped by prayer, scholarship and community.