How Does Sunday & Holiday Hours Work in Saudi Arabia?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Middle East
1The Quick Answer
The Saudi weekend is Thursday–Friday; shops and malls open 7 days but close briefly 5 times daily for prayer; Ramadan dramatically changes all hours.
2What You Need to Know
Saudi Arabia's working week runs Sunday through Thursday, with Friday (the holy day) and Saturday as the weekend. Government offices are closed Thursday–Friday. Malls and most private businesses operate 7 days a week. Five daily prayer times cause shop closures of approximately 20–30 minutes each — doors are locked and staff pray before reopening. During Ramadan, businesses shift to late-night hours, many restaurants close during daylight, and iftar (sunset meal) triggers a major rush. Eating, drinking, or smoking in public during Ramadan daylight hours is illegal for everyone.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Build extra time into shopping plans to account for prayer-time closures — malls announce prayer time over the PA system
- 2During Ramadan, plan sightseeing for early morning or after iftar — the evenings come alive with food and activity
- 3Government offices and visa services follow a Sunday–Thursday schedule, so plan administrative tasks on those days
Important Warning
Eating, drinking, or smoking in public during Ramadan daylight hours is illegal for all people in Saudi Arabia, including non-Muslim tourists. Use your hotel room or private restaurant spaces during the day.
How does this compare?
Sunday & Holiday Hours rules in nearby and similar countries:
The UAE weekend is Saturday–Sunday. Businesses close on Friday for prayers. Malls are open 7 days a week. Ramadan significantly changes all hours.
Friday is the holy day in Egypt — many businesses close Friday morning, and the work week officially runs Sunday to Thursday.
Friday is Morocco's holy day with mosque attendance and partial business closures at midday, while souks follow their own complex weekly schedules.
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