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

How this guide separates rules from advice

Two kinds of statement appear below. The first is a summary of what an official source says, and each one names its source: Visit Dubai, the city's official tourism website; Dubai Police statements published by the Government of Dubai Media Office; Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services; Dubai Customs; the Emirates Drug Establishment; the General Civil Aviation Authority; and the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

The second is our own courtesy advice. It is labelled as such, it never comes with a fine or a legal claim attached, and you can treat it as a sensible default rather than a rule. If a hotel, venue, airline or official tells you something different on the day, follow their instruction.

Visit Dubai's practical-information page sums up the general position: as in any destination, residents and tourists must abide by local laws, and the moral code in the UAE 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.

Dressing for malls, streets and business districts

Visit Dubai says swimwear is permissible at beaches, waterparks, public pools and spa areas, but is not considered appropriate in areas such as business districts and shopping malls. That one distinction answers most of the questions visitors ask about clothing: what suits a hotel pool is not what suits a mall, a metro carriage or an office tower.

The same page says dressing conservatively is appreciated in Dubai's historic neighbourhoods and at places of worship. If a single day combines the old town or the souks with a modern mall, dress for the most conservative stop rather than changing between them. Our guide to Dubai's historic district, Creek and souks covers that part of the city.

Our practical suggestion, rather than an official rule, is to treat covered shoulders and knees as a comfortable default for indoor public places, and to keep a light extra layer in your bag. It works for mosques and heritage sites, it helps in strongly air-conditioned malls and museums, and loose clothing is often cooler in the sun than it sounds. Our guide to planning around Dubai's heat has more on staying comfortable outdoors.

• Swimwear belongs at beaches, waterparks, public pools and spa areas, not in malls or business districts.
• Choose conservative clothing for historic neighbourhoods and places of worship.
• Follow any dress requirements a hotel, restaurant or attraction publishes for its own premises.

Beaches, pools and the walk off the sand

Swimwear is normal on the sand. The point to remember is the transition: Visit Dubai's guidance that swimwear is not appropriate in malls and business districts applies as soon as you leave the beach, so keep a shirt, sarong or cover-up with you for the walk to a cafe, a taxi or the tram.

Public beaches are shared spaces used by families. The Government of Dubai Media Office's announcement of the Dubai Master Plan for Public Beaches lists family spaces among the facilities planned for public beaches, and says a share of Dubai's public beaches would be designated for night swimming. Swim only where and when swimming is permitted, and follow lifeguards and signs.

During Ramadan, Visit Dubai says there are a few dress guidelines to follow out of respect for local culture and religion, but that beachwear is acceptable at hotel beaches and pools. For beach locations, flags and swimming safety, read our public beaches and swimming safety guide.

• Pack a cover-up with your swimwear.
• Change or cover up before going into a mall, restaurant or public transport.
• Respect family areas and swim only where it is allowed.

Visiting a mosque

Visit Dubai's Jumeirah Mosque page says there is no dress code policy as such, and that jeans are welcome, as long as clothing is respectful and gives full, loose-fitting coverage. Women are also asked to wear a headscarf and to make sure their shoulders are covered.

Jumeirah Mosque is the best-known mosque in Dubai that welcomes visitors. Visit Dubai says that, under its Open Doors, Open Minds policy, it welcomes visitors of all faiths to explore the interior and learn about Islam and the local culture, with guided tours six days a week that start at 10am and last 75 minutes. Visit Dubai also says sites like Jumeirah Mosque provide traditional clothing that visitors can borrow if they take a tour indoors.

Expect to take your shoes off. Visit Dubai says most mosques provide shelves for shoes, while some let visitors place their footwear in a bag and carry it during the tour. Tour days and times can change, so check the official page before planning a day around a visit. For museums and other cultural venues, see our museums and cultural attractions guide.

• Wear full, loose-fitting clothing; 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 guides and staff at the entrance and inside.

Greetings, handshakes and everyday courtesy

Visit Dubai's practical-information page says a handshake is customary, but that when a man and a woman shake hands it is typically accepted that the woman initiates it. If someone does not offer a hand, a friendly spoken greeting is a perfectly polite response, and nobody will think less of you for waiting.

We deliberately keep language out of this guide. Arabic greetings and how to reply, how names and titles work, and the phrases that help in taxis and shops are covered in our Arabic etiquette and language guide, so the two guides do not repeat each other.

Beyond greetings, everyday courtesy in Dubai looks much like courtesy anywhere. Our suggestions, rather than official rules, are to queue patiently, keep walkways clear when you stop for photos, offer your seat to people who need it more and keep your voice down in residential buildings late at night. On the metro and buses, follow the RTA's posted rules; our public transport and nol card guide explains how the network works.

Being a guest in someone's home

If you are invited to an Emirati home, Visit Dubai's guide to experiencing Ramadan suggests showing your gratitude by bringing a small gift for your hosts, and gives a box of dates or local oud perfume as examples. The same page says there is no obligation to give gifts during Ramadan, and that gifts are more commonly given during Eid Al Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of the month.

Our general courtesy suggestions for a home visit are simple: arrive at roughly the agreed time, follow your hosts' lead on where to sit and whether to take your shoes off, and accept what is offered with thanks. If you are offered coffee or dates, our Arabic etiquette and language guide linked above explains the hospitality customs around them.

Ramadan: what changes for visitors

Visit Dubai explains that during Ramadan fasting Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking between dawn and sunset, and rise before dawn to eat suhoor. Because Hijri years are around 11 days shorter than Gregorian years, Visit Dubai says the start of Ramadan moves forward by about 11 days each year, so check the dates against your own travel plans.

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 room or a restaurant, is a simple way to do that.

Visit Dubai also says restaurants are not closed during Ramadan and that non-fasting guests can eat and drink as usual, although a few smaller outlets may close during the day and open by sundown. Some eateries change their hours and add iftar and suhoor menus, so Visit Dubai recommends calling ahead or booking to confirm opening hours and secure a table during the evening rush. Our dining and restaurant guide has wider advice.

Visit Dubai notes that people observing the month are open about their beliefs and happy to answer questions about what it means to them. For seasonal greetings and what to expect through the month, read our Ramadan visitor guide.

• Check whether your trip falls 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.

Fridays and the working week

Some visitors still expect a Friday-to-Saturday weekend. 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 on public holidays of both the UAE and the embassy's home country. If you need an embassy or government office, check its own hours and book an appointment where you can.

Some arrangements differ on Fridays. For example, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announced separate Friday working hours for federal entities during Ramadan, and said entities could allow up to 70% of their employees to work remotely on Fridays in that month. Treat this as a sign that Friday timings can differ from the rest of the week, and check opening hours for anything official you plan on a Friday.

According to Visit Dubai, Jumeirah Mosque's visitor tours run six days a week rather than seven, so confirm tour days before planning a Friday visit. During the day you may also hear the call to prayer from mosques around the city. Nothing is required of visitors, but it is considerate to lower music and voices nearby and to avoid blocking mosque entrances or parking; this is our courtesy suggestion rather than an official rule.

Affection, behaviour and public order

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

Visit Dubai also says drunk and disorderly conduct and drink-driving are not acceptable, and describes a zero-tolerance policy for drunken behaviour and drink-driving. The alcohol section below explains where drinking fits into a visit.

The official pages we reviewed do not set out separate rules on noise or rudeness, and we do not quote penalties here. Our own advice is practical: keep music and video calls on headphones in shared spaces, stay calm in traffic and queues, avoid gestures or language that could be taken as insulting, and if a disagreement starts, step back and ask staff or the police for help rather than arguing. If you are unsure whether something is allowed at a venue, ask its staff.

• Holding hands is fine; keep anything more for private spaces.
• Use headphones for music and calls in shared spaces.
• If something goes wrong, call 901 for non-urgent police help or 999 in an emergency.

Photography, drones and other people's privacy

The official visitor pages we checked do not set out rules on photographing other people, so the first part of this section is courtesy advice rather than a summary of the law. Skylines, architecture and attractions are photographed 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 women and children you do not know, avoid filming people who are injured or in distress, 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 and put the camera away if you are not sure.

Drones are regulated separately. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) says it developed its framework for drone operations partly to respect people's concerns about privacy and data protection, and that drones used by individuals for recreation, whatever their weight, must be registered with the GCAA before flying. Its page adds that recreational drones of 5 kg or less may only be flown in the approved flying zones shown in its app. Read the GCAA page before you pack a drone; our photography and best viewpoints guide covers where to take pictures from the ground.

• Ask first whenever a person is the main subject of your photo.
• Respect a no without argument.
• Register a recreational drone with the GCAA before flying it, and fly only in approved zones.

Alcohol: where it fits

Alcohol is available in Dubai. Visit Dubai says tourists and residents over the age of 21 can drink alcohol at licensed venues such as hotels and restaurants, as well as at dedicated lounges.

The same page says it is prohibited to drink alcohol in public places other than licensed hotels and their restaurants and dedicated lounges. In practice, plan to drink only inside a licensed venue, not on the street, on the beach or in other public spaces. Carry identification that shows your age if you plan to drink.

Because of the zero-tolerance policy on drunken behaviour and drink-driving described above, plan your journey home before you go out. If you have been drinking, use a taxi, a ride-hailing app or public transport rather than driving. Our guide to getting around Dubai explains the options, and our taxi and ride-hailing guide covers booking a car late at night.

• Drink only at licensed venues.
• Carry ID that shows your age.
• Never drink and drive.

Medicines, prescriptions and the line on drugs

Visit Dubai says the use or possession of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited. Dubai Customs' list of banned items includes all kinds of narcotic drugs, and names hashish, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogenic pills and poppy seeds as examples. Poppy seeds surprise some travellers, so leave them out of your luggage.

Prescription medicines need more thought. Visit Dubai says the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has full details of controlled or prohibited medications and of the documents you need to bring a controlled medication into Dubai, that you must bring your official prescription from the issuing authority where you receive treatment, and that you can carry medicines for a maximum period of three months. Its link for applying leads to a service of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE).

The EDE service, Issue of Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use, lets travellers obtain prior approval to bring narcotic and controlled medicines into the country. The EDE describes it as optional for visiting travellers, because people coming to the UAE are allowed to bring narcotic and psychotropic (controlled) medicines with them in a quantity that does not exceed the patient's need for a maximum of three months. The EDE lists the service as free, with a completion time of one working day, and says applicants log in with UAE PASS.

The EDE asks for two documents. The prescription should show the patient's full name, the medicine name with the dose, dosage form and duration of treatment, the issue date and the doctor's name; it should have been issued within the last three months and be stamped by the healthcare facility treating the patient. The medical report should include the diagnosis and treatment plan and have been issued within the last year. If you are unsure about a particular medicine, Visit Dubai suggests contacting your local UAE embassy or MOHAP before you travel. Our health, pharmacies and emergencies guide and airport arrival guide cover what happens once you land.

• Keep medicines with your prescription and, for controlled medicines, a recent medical report.
• Check whether any medicine you take is controlled before you fly.
• Never carry a bag or parcel for someone else if you do not know what is in it.

Emergency and non-emergency numbers

Dubai Police statements published by the Government of Dubai Media Office give 999 as the emergency number and 901 as the non-emergency number. Dubai Police urged the public to use 999 only for emergencies and to direct non-urgent enquiries and requests for Dubai Police services to 901.

For a medical emergency, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) lists 998 as its number for emergencies. When you call, say where you are as precisely as you can, such as the hotel name, metro station or a nearby landmark, and follow the operator's instructions.

Travel pages do not always agree on numbers, so save 999, 901 and 998 in your phone before you arrive rather than relying on memory. For hospitals and pharmacies, see our health, pharmacies and emergencies guide linked above, and for getting a working phone and data, our connectivity guide.

• 999: emergencies (Dubai Police).
• 901: non-emergency enquiries and Dubai Police services.
• 998: ambulance emergencies (DCAS).

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.
• Check any prescription medicines against the official guidance, and pack the prescription and medical report.
• Register a drone with the GCAA before flying it, or leave it at home.
• Save 999, 901 and 998 in your phone.
• Plan how you will get back to your accommodation after an evening out.