What to wear in the Middle East & North Africa

If you’re visiting Morocco for a holiday, there won’t be any official clothing rules or requirements for you to worry about. However, swaying towards the modest side might make you feel more comfortable when exploring, particularly in rural areas. If you’re looking you keep your attire strictly traditional, you can opt for a djellaba – a loose-fitting robe worn by both men and women – or, you can stick to Western-style clothing. When you’re in cities and towns, a tunic top paired with cool trousers or a long skirt is a great option. And, when you’re at the beach, your average shorts-and-a-t-shirt combo will do just fine.

When planning a Jordan holiday, one of the main things to think about is the weather. Although there are vast amounts of desert, it’s not always scorching hot. In winter, temperatures can dip down to as low as 4°C, so it’s a good idea to pack some layers and warm clothing depending on the time of year you go. In terms of how Jordanians dress, many women wear a hijab and some men choose to cover their heads with a keffiyeh. But tourists aren’t expected to do the same. Just keep your shoulders and knees covered when out and about, and bring a shawl or headscarf in case mosques require you to cover your hair.

Unlike Jordan, Dubai does stay pretty hot all year round, so we recommend bringing loose, cool clothing with you on your holiday – and suncream is a must! Keeping things modest is also a priority when visiting this city, to ensure you don’t offend any locals. But, in comparison to countries like Saudi Arabia, for example, Dubai is nowhere near as conservative. In tourist hotspots such as hotels, malls and theme parks, shorts and t-shirts are okay, so long as they’re not too revealing. However, if you’re visiting mosques or souks, you’ll want to keep your arms, legs and chest covered. And, as a general rule, save swimwear for the beach or your hotel pool area.

Less of a go-to destination for expats and with fewer tourists than Dubai, in Oman, you’ll find that many locals still wear the traditional dress. But, as a visitor, you can show respect by avoiding strappy tops or vests, and anything low-cut or too tight-fitting. Cover up wrist to ankle when visiting mosques to be on the safe side, and bring along a headscarf if you want to blend in a bit more. Finally, when it’s time for a dip in the sea, bear in mind some public beaches might prefer you to wear a swim shirt and knee-covering swim shorts. Although, if you’re sticking to a private hotel beach, your normal swimwear will suffice. 

There’s no dress code for you to think about when visiting Egypt and what you wear is unlikely to cause offence – especially in the main tourist spots. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to avoid any unwanted attention. In beach resorts and hotels, shorts and skirts above the knee are totally fine, as are vests and strappy tops. But, it’s always worth assessing the vibe and bringing a few options along. Outside of your resort, when you’re exploring cities, pyramids, and non-touristy rural areas, we’d advise keeping a bit more covered up. As an example, loose-fitting, maxi-length bottoms and a shoulder-covering top would be a full-proof choice.

Once again, in Bahrain there are no specific rules on how you should dress as a visitor. But, you’ll feel most comfortable if you lean towards the modest side when out in public. In particular when visiting mosques and cultural sites, both men and women should steer clear of shorts and sleeveless tops. Think long trousers or a skirt that goes down to the ankle, and a top that covers your shoulders. For a more casual setting like a mall or restaurant, bottoms below the knee are still a good idea for women. But, if you’re spending a day at the beach or by your hotel pool, then swimsuits, bikinis and swim shorts are all good. But, as you might imagine, topless sunbathing is a big no!