Dress code Women should dress modestly when in public areas like shopping malls. Clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible. Swimming attire should be worn only on beaches or at swimming pools. Cross-dressing is illegal.
Female travelers do not have to cover up completely when in Dubai – shorts, tops, and bikinis are fine (well, the latter only at the beach though). What is this? While some places have a dress code (no bare shoulders at most malls, and no hot pants).
The dress code in Dubai is quite liberal. Usually, you can wear pretty much what you like, certainly in tourist places and hotels and their adjacent beaches.
There are certain things you can't do in Dubai and PDA is one of them. In Dubai, holding hands, hugging, and kissing in public is considered socially unacceptable and if caught indulging in such acts, you might land up in jail.
What can women wear in Dubai? Women can wear shirts, tops, t-shirts, skirts, shorts, trousers, jeans, and dresses in Dubai. Women can wear swimsuits and bikinis on the beaches. They can also wear the traditional dress of their country or culture, such as saree or salwar kameez, as long as it is modest.
Yes, women can wear shorts in Dubai as long as they are not too short. You can wear them at beaches or malls but you should avoid them at local markets and souks. Can men wear shorts in Dubai water parks? It is mandatory in the water parks to wear any kind of swimwear.
Clubbing in Dubai: no hijab required!
Crop-tops, skirts, form-fitting dresses are all acceptable in Dubai nightclubs.
“Holding hands for a married couple is tolerated but kissing and petting are considered an offence to public decency,” it adds. “Public displays of affection, as well as sexual harassment or randomly addressing women in public places, is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”
According to the law, it's illegal for unmarried couples to stay in the same room during a holiday in Dubai. In reality, this is not strictly enforced and it's unlikely you'll be challenged on it. Many unmarried couples visit Dubai every year without issue.
What happens if you chew gum in Dubai? One must be aware that chewing gum in Dubai Metro or the platform and Dubai buses isn't allowed and you can be fined if caught. Spitting in a public place can cost Dh1,000 in fine.
Dress code in public places in Dubai
Women do not have to cover their head, face and hair with a scarf or something similar in public, although Muslim women, particularly Gulf Arabs, do cover their hair, face and head with a scarf for cultural and religious reasons.
Showing cleavage is somewhat frowned upon, and it's also best to avoid wearing any tops that show your underwear underneath. Instead, go for t-shirts and tops that cover your upper arms – strappy tops and those that show off your midriff are considered offensive.
Sexting in the UAE is against the law. That also includes nude selfies, as this young couple found out.
Yes, Dubai is definitely safe for solo female travelers, and it is the perfect destination for solo female digital nomads! NomadHer, app for female globetrotters, interviewed Patricia, a personal trainer from Spain who is currently living in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
While skin tight jeans may be fine in the night clubs, wearing it in other public places may seem offensive. Ripped jeans are not allowed in Dubai.
Unmarried pregnant women in UAE
It is very crucial to remember that it's absolutely illegal for any woman who's unmarried or single to be pregnant while residing in UAE. The consequences of local authorities discovering that any single woman is carrying a baby can include jail and deportation.
Kissing and embracing in public
The Executive Council has published a code of conduct that lays down acceptable conduct in Dubai. According to the code couples, both married and unmarried, cannot show affection in public places. Kissing and embracing out in the open is strictly forbidden.
Can you drink alcohol in Dubai? If you're 21 or over, expat or holidaymaker, you can legally drink alcohol in Dubai. However, you will need to purchase alcohol from a licensed premises, such as a shop, and enjoyed in the privacy of your own accommodation.
In Dubai, dating is common and you can see men and women on dates in the malls or in restaurants. In Saudi, however, there are laws forbidding a woman from standing next to a man. If you live in the Kingdom, dating is forbidden in public for both locals and expats.
Swearing and making rude gestures (including online) are considered obscene acts and offenders can be jailed or deported. Take particular care when dealing with the police and other officials. Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and there have been several arrests for kissing in public.