Islamabad in Ramadan is quiet by day and busy after sunset. In 2026 the first iftar in the capital was about 5:56 pm and the last about 6:20 pm, the city's restaurants ran iftar buffets from roughly PKR 1,050 to PKR 6,950 a head, and Faisal Mosque drew far larger crowds than usual for taraweeh. If you are visiting, plan sightseeing for the morning or the hour before iftar and keep the evening for eating and prayer.
This guide gives the timings, the iftar options, how to approach Faisal Mosque, and the practical changes to expect. Ramadan dates move about ten days earlier each year, so check the current ones.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Ramadan 2026 | Began 19 February; Eid expected around 20 to 21 March |
| Iftar, Islamabad (2026) | About 5:56 pm on day one to 6:20 pm on the last day |
| Sehri (2026) | About 5:24 am on day one to 4:48 am on the last day |
| Ramadan 2027 | Expected to begin around 8 February, subject to moon sighting |
| Iftar buffets (2026) | About PKR 1,050 to PKR 6,950 per person, as advertised |
| Faisal Mosque | Free to enter; very crowded at taraweeh |
Iftar and sehri times in Islamabad
Timings shift by a few minutes each day. In 2026 the first sehri ended at about 5:24 am and the first iftar was at about 5:56 pm, finishing at 4:48 am and 6:20 pm on the last day, according to ProPakistani's calendar. Local announcements can vary by a minute or two, so use a daily timetable or the mosque announcement for the exact minute.
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February, subject to the moon-sighting committee's decision. Winter Ramadan means shorter fasting hours and cold evenings, so bring a jacket for any outdoor iftar. Our Ramadan travel tips cover the wider country.
Where to break your fast
Restaurant iftar buffets
Islamabad restaurants and hotels publish fixed iftar buffets each year. A list of 2026 deals in Daily Pakistan gave these per-person prices: Red Apple from PKR 1,050, CGC (Char Grill Central) PKR 1,299, Empire Regal PKR 1,550, Envoy Continental PKR 2,499, Margalla Grande PKR 2,850, Rakaposhi PKR 3,195, Tahir Khan Restaurant PKR 3,399, 1969 Restaurant PKR 5,499 and Islamabad Serena Hotel PKR 6,950. Those were 2026 advertised prices; they change each year and usually need a reservation.
For a cheaper meal, ordinary restaurants run iftar menus or deals. Our guide to food in Islamabad covers the usual areas, and Saidpur village and Melody Food Park have their own guides. Check Ramadan hours first, since they can change.
At a mosque
Many mosques serve dates and water before Maghrib, and joining that is one of the simplest ways to experience iftar in Islamabad. Faisal Mosque is the best known, and its iftar arrangements involve people sharing dates and water before the prayer.
Faisal Mosque in Ramadan
Faisal Mosque is free to enter. Officials told Arab News in 2019 that numbers almost double in Ramadan, and the triangular prayer hall holds about 100,000 people. Visitors wishing to see the building as a landmark should go in the daytime. If you want to pray taraweeh there, arrive early; one travel source suggests about 20 minutes before and using public parking on Arena Road, but expect traffic and checks.
Dress modestly. Women should carry a scarf, and everyone removes shoes before entering the prayer area.
How the city changes in Ramadan
- Days are slow. Many cafes and restaurants open later or at iftar; check the specific place before you go.
- Evenings are busy. Traffic peaks just before iftar, as people rush home, then late at night around markets and food spots.
- Markets run late. Shopping areas such as Jinnah Super Market tend to stay busy well into the night near Eid, and there are officially notified Ramadan bazaars with subsidised essentials.
- Eating in public in daytime is discouraged; be discreet if you are not fasting.
Is Islamabad safe in Ramadan?
Pakistani visitors travel to the capital as usual, but there has been a serious attack in 2026. On 6 February 2026 a suicide bomber attacked the Khadija Tul Kubra mosque in Tarlai Kalan, in south-east Islamabad, and 32 people were killed; Islamic State Pakistan claimed it. Security patrols increased afterwards. Expect checkpoints and bag checks at busy mosques and expect delays, check local news and police advice, and avoid arriving at the last minute at large gatherings. Overseas visitors should check their government's advice, which can affect travel insurance. For general advice see is Islamabad safe for tourists.
Is it a good time to visit?
Yes if you enjoy the atmosphere of evenings and are happy with limited daytime options. It suits a short stay with iftar as the highlight. It does not suit a packed sightseeing schedule or travellers who want daytime cafes. For the best months overall see our when to go guide.
Frequently asked questions
What time is iftar in Islamabad?
In 2026 it ranged from about 5:56 pm at the start of Ramadan to about 6:20 pm at the end.
Is Faisal Mosque open in Ramadan?
Yes, and it is free. It is much busier than usual at taraweeh, so go early or visit in the daytime.
How much is an iftar buffet in Islamabad?
In 2026 advertised buffets ranged from about PKR 1,050 to PKR 6,950 per person. Prices change each year.
Are restaurants open in Islamabad during Ramadan?
Many open for iftar and into the night, with some closed or opening late in the day. Check the place you want.
When is Ramadan 2027?
Expected to begin around 8 February 2027, depending on moon sighting.
