Local customs in Dubai: dress, mosques, Ramadan and public etiquette

Dressing for public places

Visit Dubai describes the city as cosmopolitan and says almost all styles of dress and cultural expression are accepted. That openness depends on where you are, and the clearest example concerns swimwear.

According to Visit Dubai's practical-information page, swimwear is fine at beaches, waterparks, public pools and spa areas, but it is not considered appropriate in places such as business districts and shopping malls. In practice, change or cover up before heading from the beach or pool to a mall or an office district.

The same page says conservative dress is appreciated in Dubai's historic neighbourhoods and at places of worship. If a day combines older parts of the city with modern districts, it is simplest to dress for the most conservative stop. Light, loose layers are also a comfortable choice outdoors; our guide to planning around Dubai's heat covers timing and comfort in more detail.

• Swimwear belongs at beaches, waterparks, public pools and spa areas, not in malls or business districts.
• Choose conservative clothing for historic neighbourhoods and religious sites.
• If a hotel, restaurant or attraction publishes its own dress requirements, follow those.

Visiting a mosque

Visit Dubai says entering a mosque comes with specific requirements: clothing that covers the shoulders, arms and legs, and a headscarf for women. Its Jumeirah Mosque page adds that there is no dress code as such, and that jeans are welcome, as long as clothing is respectful and gives full, loose-fitting coverage.

Jumeirah Mosque is the best-known mosque in Dubai that welcomes visitors. Visit Dubai says it is open to people of all faiths who want to admire the building and learn about Islam and local culture, through guided tours held six days a week. Visitors are asked to behave respectfully and dress modestly, and traditional clothing is available to borrow. Women are asked to cover their hair with a scarf and to make sure their shoulders are covered.

Visit Dubai also notes that, as at many places of worship, shoes are usually taken off and left outside before entering. Most mosques provide shelves for shoes, and some let visitors carry their footwear in a bag during a tour. Tour days and times can change, so confirm them on the official page before planning a day around a visit.

• Cover shoulders, arms and legs; women should bring a headscarf or borrow one where offered.
• Wear shoes that are easy to take off and put back on.
• Follow the instructions of staff and guides at the entrance and inside.

Greetings and everyday courtesy

Visit Dubai's practical-information page says a handshake is a customary greeting, and that when a man and a woman meet it is typically accepted that the woman initiates the handshake. If she does not offer her hand, a friendly spoken greeting is a perfectly polite response.

The same page describes Dubai as an open-minded and tolerant society, and reminds visitors that residents and tourists must abide by local laws and that the UAE's moral code is stricter than in some other parts of the world. Keeping that in mind is more useful than memorising long lists: when you are unsure, the more reserved option is rarely the wrong one.

If you are invited to dine at an Emirati home, Visit Dubai's guidance on experiencing Ramadan suggests showing your gratitude by bringing a small gift for your hosts.

Ramadan: what changes for visitors

Ramadan is the month of fasting in the Islamic calendar. Visit Dubai explains that Muslims who are fasting abstain from eating, drinking and smoking between dawn and sunset, eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor and break the fast at iftar once the sun has set. Because the Islamic and Gregorian calendars are not aligned, Visit Dubai says the dates move by around 11 days each year, so check them against your own travel dates.

Visitors are not required to fast. Visit Dubai says there are no restrictions on eating and drinking in public for those who are not fasting, but that you may choose to avoid doing so out of respect for those who are. Drinking water discreetly, or saving a snack for your hotel or a restaurant, is a simple way to do that.

Restaurants keep serving non-fasting guests during the day, although Visit Dubai says a few smaller outlets may be closed in daylight hours and open by sundown. Evenings become busy as people meet friends and family for iftar, so call ahead or book to confirm opening hours and secure a table. For wider dining advice, see our Dubai dining and restaurant guide.

Visit Dubai also says there are a few dress guidelines to follow during Ramadan out of respect for the local culture and religion, while beachwear remains acceptable at hotel beaches and pools. Ramadan Kareem or Ramadan Mubarak is a welcome greeting, and Visit Dubai notes that people observing the month are generally open about their beliefs and happy to answer questions.

• Check whether your travel dates fall during Ramadan before you book.
• Consider not eating, drinking or smoking in public view during fasting hours.
• Book evening tables ahead and confirm daytime opening hours with restaurants.

Affection, noise and behaviour in public

Visit Dubai says a simple act of affection such as holding hands is fine, but excessive public displays of affection are not allowed. Treat that as the rule of thumb wherever other people are around.

The official pages we reviewed do not set out separate rules on noise, so the following is our own courtesy advice. Many people in Dubai live and travel in shared spaces, so keep music and video calls on headphones, keep your voice down in hotel corridors and residential buildings late at night, and follow any signs or staff instructions at the places you visit.

Visit Dubai also says drunk and disorderly conduct is not acceptable. The alcohol section below explains where drinking fits into a visit.

• Holding hands is fine; keep anything more for private spaces.
• Use headphones for music and calls in shared spaces.
• If you are unsure of a venue's rules, ask its staff.

Photography and other people's privacy

The official visitor pages we checked for this guide do not describe rules on photographing other people, so this section is courtesy advice rather than a summary of the law. Skylines, architecture and attractions are photographed by visitors constantly, and pictures of the city are part of almost every trip.

People are different from landmarks. Ask before photographing someone, especially if they will be clearly recognisable, and accept a refusal politely. Take extra care with photos of women and children you do not know, and think twice before posting images of strangers online.

At mosques, museums and other venues, follow staff instructions about where photography is allowed. Around official buildings and other secure areas, look for signs; if you are not sure, put the camera away and ask.

• Ask first whenever a person is the main subject of your photo.
• Respect a no without argument.
• Check a venue's photography rules before taking pictures inside.

Alcohol and public norms

Alcohol is available in Dubai. Visit Dubai says it is served in licensed establishments such as hotels, bars and specialised shops to people aged 21 and over, and that tourists and residents can drink at licensed venues such as hotels, restaurants and dedicated lounges.

Visit Dubai also says that drinking alcohol in public places other than licensed hotels and their restaurants, and dedicated lounges, is prohibited. It describes a zero-tolerance policy on drunken behaviour and drink-driving, expects visitors and residents to be responsible, and says the use or possession of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.

Plan your journey home before you go out. If you have been drinking, use a taxi, ride-hailing or public transport rather than driving; our guide to getting around Dubai explains the options.

• Drink only at licensed venues, never on the street, beach or other public places.
• Carry identification that shows your age when you plan to drink.
• Never drink and drive.

Fridays, the working week and prayer times

Some visitors still expect a Friday-to-Saturday weekend in Dubai. Visit Dubai's practical-information page describes Monday to Friday as the UAE working week, and says embassies and consulates are typically closed on Saturdays and Sundays as well as public holidays. If you need an embassy, consulate or other office, check its own opening hours and make an appointment where possible.

Mosques are first and foremost places of worship, and Jumeirah Mosque's visitor tours run on six days of the week rather than seven. Confirm the tour days before planning a mosque visit, particularly on a Friday.

During the day you may hear the call to prayer from mosques around the city. Nothing special is expected of visitors, but it is considerate to lower music and voices nearby, avoid blocking mosque entrances or parking spaces, and dress a little more conservatively if your plans take you past a mosque at prayer time. This is our courtesy suggestion rather than an official rule.

Before you go: a customs checklist

Most of the points above take a few minutes to prepare for. Use this list alongside our first-time Dubai checklist, which covers documents, money and other practical steps for a first visit.

• Pack at least one outfit that covers shoulders, arms and legs, plus a light scarf for mosque visits.
• Keep a cover-up with your swimwear for the walk from the beach or pool.
• Check whether your trip falls during Ramadan and adjust meal plans and restaurant bookings.
• Confirm mosque tour days and times on the official page before you go.
• Plan how you will get back to your accommodation after an evening out.
• Ask before photographing people, and follow venue rules on photography.
• Re-read the official Visit Dubai pages linked below close to your departure date.