UAE Visitor Etiquette: Dress, Behaviour and Guided Tours

The short answer: you do not need to dress or act as if you were visiting a conservative village. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are used to visitors from everywhere. But some rules are enforced, not just polite. Cover shoulders and knees away from the beach and pool, keep affection discreet, drink only in licensed venues, ask before photographing people, and expect a stricter dress code at a mosque. Do those five things and you will avoid nearly every common mistake.

The UAE is also not one uniform culture. Expatriates are the majority of residents, and norms vary between a hotel beach club, a shopping mall, a heritage district and a mosque. Treat what follows as a sensible baseline, and take your cue from the venue and your guide.

Dress: match the place, not the weather

Heat tempts you to wear very little. Resist that outside swimming areas. In malls, government offices, markets and old neighbourhoods, most visitors are comfortable in loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Light linen and cotton do this and stay cooler than shorts and a vest. Our Dubai packing list covers the city, mosque and desert in detail.

• Swimwear belongs at the beach, the pool and on the water. Do not wear it through a lobby, mall or street.
• Malls are heavily air-conditioned. A light layer is useful, and it also keeps you covered.
• Women and men are both expected to avoid see-through, very short or slogan-heavy clothing that might offend.

Mosque day: the strictest dress code you will meet

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a working place of worship as well as a landmark. Expect to cover arms and legs fully, women to cover their hair, and everyone to take their shoes off before the prayer hall. Wear clothes you are happy to be in for hours, because you will be walking marble courtyards in the sun. Our Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque guide goes through the rules.

On Helios's Grand Mosque and Zayed National Museum day from Dubai, a guide leads the group through the courtyards and main prayer hall. It is a nine-hour small-group day with up to 15 guests, departing at 08:00 or 08:45. You meet at a set departure point, not your hotel, so dress for the mosque before you leave. Keep your voice low inside, do not point your camera at people praying, and follow your guide's instructions on where to stand.

Behaviour in public

• Affection: holding hands is generally tolerated, but kissing and anything more intimate in public can cause offence or trouble.
• Alcohol: it is served in licensed hotels and venues. Being drunk in public, or carrying alcohol around, is a mistake.
• Language and gestures: swearing, rude gestures and abusive messages, including online, can be treated seriously.
• Greetings: let local people of the opposite sex offer a handshake first, and if they do not, a smile and a hand over the heart is fine. Use your right hand for greeting, eating and passing items.
• Medicines and vapes: drug laws are strict and some medicines common elsewhere are controlled. Carry prescriptions and check the rules before you fly.

Photography and drones

Ask permission before photographing individuals, especially women and families, and do not photograph strangers at the beach or pool. Avoid government buildings, military sites and anything with security staff nearby. Drones need permission and are restricted in many areas, so do not assume you can fly one.

Ramadan and prayer times

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Visitors are not expected to fast, but eating, drinking and smoking openly in daytime is discouraged, and loud music and very revealing clothing are even less welcome. Many cafés serve discreetly, and opening hours shift. Plan lunches ahead. Expect to hear the call to prayer, and do not walk in front of someone who is praying.

On the water: jet ski etiquette

Swimwear is fine on the water, but cover up when you walk around the base and when you leave. Helios's Dubai jet ski ride by Burj Al Arab is booked as a private session for your own party. It lasts 30 or 60 minutes, you follow an escort rider and stop for photos of Burj Al Arab, and your belongings stay in a locker. Follow the briefing and the hand signals exactly. Keep your distance from other riders and swimmers, and remember the escort photographs you with your own phone, so you will not be taking pictures of strangers.

A week on the road: the desert and the dome

The seven-day Seven Days Across the Emirates tour runs as a small group of up to 15 guests, from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, with a heritage safari in a vintage four-wheel-drive and one night in a desert dome. Hotels and desert camps are relaxed, but dress still matters. Bring covered clothing for city sightseeing and a scarf or light layer for evenings and sun. Lunches are not included, so Ramadan timing may affect where you eat. Your guide can tell you what is appropriate on the day.

If you travel in autumn, our Dubai in October guide explains the heat you will be dressing for.

UAE visitor etiquette FAQ

Do women have to cover their hair in the UAE?

Not in the city generally. You do need to cover your hair at a mosque such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, so carry a scarf.

Can I wear shorts in Dubai?

Many visitors do, especially knee-length shorts. Very short shorts are better kept for the beach or pool, and malls and traditional areas suit more covered clothing.

Is it safe to take photos of the skyline and landmarks?

Yes, in general. Avoid photographing people without asking, and avoid government and military buildings. Follow signs and staff instructions.

What should I do during Ramadan?

Avoid eating, drinking and smoking openly in daytime, dress more conservatively and expect different opening hours. Most visitor attractions still operate, but check ahead.

Does etiquette change on a guided tour?

The rules are the same, but your guide will help you with them on the day. Ask if you are unsure what to wear, where to photograph or when to remove shoes.