As a tourists it is easy to have misconceptions about the place you are travelling to, and that is especially true when travelling to the Middle East. There is some outdated information available about what you can wear when visiting Oman, I hope this article can help clear it up!

When visiting Oman, considering the local customs and climate most people are comfortable in medium length clothing. When at hotels & resorts you can wear what you feel comfortable in. Modesty is appreciated when traveling outside of the capital into smaller villages, as well as in public spaces (outside of hotels & resorts). In Muscat shorts and short sleeves (or equivalent) are fine, when entering some public spaces such as malls sometimes there is a dress code that prohibits sleeveless and very short clothing.

On some public beaches you may want to avoid very revealing clothing to avoid unwanted stares. Another reason to keep more covered is to protect from over exposure to the sun as it is quite strong.

In the summer and most of the year, for desert excursions its best to opt for loose clothing, a hat, and sunglasses for protection from the sun.

During cooler months (November to February) bring a light jacket or shawl for cooler evenings, especially in mountain areas like Jebel Akhdar or the desert.

Here's a general guide for what to wear:

◦ Both men and women should avoid wearing very revealing clothing.
◦ Oman has a hot climate for much of the year, so opt for lightweight, breathable materials like cotton or linen.

For Women
• Tops: tops with sleeves when outside of Muscat and in certain public spaces such as malls.
• Bottoms: medium & long length skirts, dresses or loose trousers are ideal when out of Muscat.
• Dresses: Maxi dresses or medium/ long dresses with sleeves are great options when out of Muscat.
• Headscarf: Not required, but carry one if you plan to visit the Grand Mosque (they also provide them).
• Swimwear: Your preferred beach wear is totally fine for hotel pools, private beaches and Daymmaiyat Islands. Recommended to cover up when leaving the pool area.

For Men
• Tops: Short sleeve shirts are fine everywhere. Avoid sleeveless tops in public (outside of hotels & resorts) as you cannot enter certain places such as malls.
• Bottoms: Long trousers or knee-length shorts when outside of Muscat.
• Traditional Wear: feel free to try wearing a dishdasha (Omani traditional garment) if you like.

Accessories
• Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are recommended to protect against the sun as it is pretty strong.