By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 4 min read
Is there a dress code in Dubai?
Yes, in practice. No law lists what a tourist must wear on the street, but the expectation is clear. Visit Abu Dhabi’s official guidance puts it plainly: short or tight clothing draws attention, malls, health clubs and resorts are more relaxed, and shoulders and legs should be covered at government offices.
A working rule for malls, souks and streets in both cities: shoulders and knees covered, nothing see-through. Beachwear stays at the beach or pool.
There are also public decency provisions in the UAE Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Decree-Law 31 of 2021). We do not state penalties here. Read Dubai laws for tourists for the wider list.
What should women wear in Dubai?
You do not need to cover your hair or wear an abaya in public. Cover your shoulders and keep skirts and shorts around the knee.
- Malls and streets: a loose top with sleeves or covered shoulders, with trousers, a midi skirt or a maxi dress.
- Evenings: a cardigan or wrap helps in air-conditioned restaurants and malls, which run cold.
- Hotels: swimwear at the pool or beach, a cover-up in the lobby.
- Mosques: see below. Bring a scarf that covers all your hair.
What should men wear in Dubai?
A T-shirt and trousers or knee-length shorts is normal in malls and streets. Do not walk through a mall shirtless or in swim shorts, and avoid vests.
For business, a shirt and trousers is the baseline, with a jacket for formal meetings. Our business etiquette guide covers meeting dress and greetings.
Can you wear shorts and swimwear?
Knee-length shorts are common in summer. Very short shorts are better kept for the beach. Swimwear belongs on hotel beaches, public beaches and at pools, and you cover up to walk to a restaurant, a lobby or a car.
Summer heat tempts people to dress down for the mall. The Dubai weather by month guide explains why you will want a light layer anyway: indoor air-conditioning is strong.
What do Jumeirah Mosque and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque require?
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi publishes the clearest rules:
| Women | Men | |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Loose to the ankles, sleeves to the wrists | Legs covered, preferred over shorts |
| Hair | Fully covered | No rule listed |
| Avoid | Transparent, tight or revealing clothing | Transparent, tight or sleeveless shirts |
| Both | No slogans or inappropriate drawings, minimal jewellery and make-up, no intimacy |
Its FAQ also asks you to pre-book an online access pass. Admission is AED 10 for visitors from outside the UAE. Photos are allowed at designated stops. Our Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visitor guide has the visit plan, and the Abu Dhabi city tour includes it.
Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai is run by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Its programme runs daily except Friday at 10 AM and 2 PM, lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes and costs AED 45 per person. Registration opens 30 minutes before. The page does not print a dress code. Dress as for any mosque and ask the centre.
Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi asks guests to cover knees and shoulders.
What to wear for a desert safari, dhow cruise and evening out
For a desert safari, wear light long sleeves and long trousers in the cooler months, closed shoes for the dune walk, and sunglasses. Bring a layer for the evening camp, when the sand cools. Our detailed what to wear on a desert safari guide has the packing list.
For a dhow cruise, smart casual is fine. For the Dubai city tour, wear comfortable shoes and cover your shoulders for the mosque stop.
Restaurants and bars in hotels are usually smart casual. Check the venue’s own rule on its website.
Dressing for Ramadan and business meetings
Visit Abu Dhabi’s guidance asks visitors to dress more conservatively in Ramadan. Cover shoulders and knees every day that month, not only at mosques. Read our Ramadan in Dubai for visitors for eating, drinking and opening hours.
For meetings, wear a business shirt and trousers, a jacket if the meeting is formal, and a modest dress or suit for women.
Packing list by season
- October to April: light layers, one long-sleeve top, closed shoes, a scarf, sunglasses. Evenings can feel cool.
- May to September: breathable cotton, a shawl for air-conditioning, a hat, sandals for the outdoors and closed shoes for mosque or desert visits.
Whatever the month, pack one outfit that meets the mosque rules above. It also works for government offices and dinners in more formal restaurants.
Return to the Dubai travel guide for the rest of the trip.
Photos in this guide
The white domes and minarets of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi under a clear skyTanya Hart (arripay) / Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Jumeirah Mosque, with its domes and minaret, seen from the road outsideZI Jony / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sun loungers and thatched parasols on a Jumeirah beach in Dubai, with the Burj Al Arab at the left of the frameStudio Sarah Lou / Flickr via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Open sacks of spices, dried flowers and herbs along a lane of the Spice Souk in DeiraFrodlekis / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
