Rosanna Abugov

Wondering what to wear in Abu Dhabi as a woman or man? What the dress code in Abu Dhabi is? Can you wear shorts in Abu Dhabi? You’re in the right place as I’m going to tell you all you need to know based on my recent experience in Abu Dhabi as a tourist.

You may, or may not, be surprised to hear that Abu Dhabi, just like Dubai is actually very chilled on what tourists can wear.

When I went to Dubai in 2015 I remember being conscious of needing to cover up inside malls and restaurants and I believe there were more restrictions then. But on my recent 5 day trip to Abu Dhabi with my husband I did not feel or notice this at all from what other tourists in Abu Dhabi were wearing.

However, when putting together your Abu Dhabi packing list or researching your trip to Abu Dhabi, whether that’s a trip on its own like I just did, an Abu Dhabi stopover, or a trip with Dubai and Abu Dhabi combined, I think it’s worth knowing what the locals in Abu Dhabi wear and remembering that you are visiting a Middle Eastern Gulf Country…

I guess you are still planning your Abu Dhabi holiday, so afterwards be sure to check out my epic post on 40 THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI!

Let’s start by saying that there are no official rules for the dress code in Abu Dhabi, or in the UAE.

Despite being a Muslim and Islamic country, the UAE is mostly made up of foreign workers and holidaymakers and what people wear and how they act (drinking alcohol for example) resembles this.

You may have heard past stories where tourists in the UAE had to be cautious of what they wore, the same as being cautious of public displays of affection.

But it seems these types of things have really eased in the big cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in recent years and unless you go crazy, you’re pretty likely not to have a problem and you can dress and act like you would in many other countries.

Abu Dhabi is such a modern city in its looks and in its ways which makes it easier for tourists to visit, but what I loved about it is that it still keeps some old charm and holds so much history.

Book yourself a historic tour of Grand Mosque, Presidential place and Etihad tower via get your guide!

Despite the UAE being a Muslim country, there is not a set Abu Dhabi dress code for tourists and definitely not a set Abu Dhabi dress code for women, however as I’ll explain next in this post on what to wear in Abu Dhabi,

No matter your gender, it is a good idea for men and women to dress fairly modestly and conservatively, with certain body parts covered.

As you can see in my photos, I am pretty covered because although being British, in 2020 I became a Muslim therefore I wore long dresses and abayas as well as a headscarf in Abu Dhabi.

Before this, I would have worn shorter-sleeved dresses and I understand how much we Brits love seeing the sun and how hot we get with a lot of clothes on!

I have travelled a lot and unlike some countries where I recommend women dressing more modestly to avoid unwanted male attention like in India or in Istanbul.

I believe the reason to dress more covered up in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, in general, is to respect the local custom and local religion, and because local people in Abu Dhabi and workers in Abu Dhabi do dress more covered.

They wear shorts, t-shirts, strappy tops, sleeveless dresses, bikini’s on the beach and by the pool.

You can wear all of the above clothes!

I know that since it gets so hot in Abu Dhabi it’s appealing to wear less clothing, however, my suggestion would be to also pack some baggy linen trousers and linen 3/4 length trousers, midi and maxi dresses, midi and maxi skirts, a kimono, tops that don’t show cleavage.

Shops like H&M and M&S sell a lot of linen items and it’s surprising how sometimes they can actually keep you cooler!

By swimming pools and on the beach, especially if it’s your hotel beach or another hotel’s beach, you can wear a swimming costume, bikini and swim shorts, there are no restrictions here and you won’t feel uncomfortable wearing them here either.

Again, this isn’t because you can’t wear shorts or a short dress in Abu Dhabi but many of the restaurants, tourists sights and even beaches will have local people there who dress more covered and you might not want to stand out like a tourist with much more skin showing.

Plus, the air-con is up high in Abu Dhabi and Dubai! If you’re sitting inside a cafe or in the mall with a lot of skin showing, you’re going to get cold quickly. That’s another reason why locals cover up!

As part of your Abu Dhabi sightseeing, you’ll definitely want to go to the main mosque – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque…

Although women need to cover their hair inside all mosques including everywhere within the Abu Dhabi mosque, as a female tourist when you enter you will be shown to a changing room and given a scarf or hood to cover your hair and an abaya or another covering outfit to cover your clothes if the clothes you arrive in are too short in the leg and arms and low in the chest.

I will say that what the mosque gives you to wear is not that flattering, so if you want to get great photos in the Sheikh Zayed mosque, it is a good idea to bring your own scarf for your head and wear a maxi long-sleeved dress of your own for example.

None of the other Abu Dhabi tourist attractions require you to cover.

It is nice to try local outfits when we travel and in Abu Dhabi, it’s easy and comfortable to do this!

I met an Italian couple who had been to the mall and brought a black Abaya for the women and white Kandora for the man, they took photos in it in the desert on our desert trip and they said they really liked wearing it and it made their photos look really good!

As I said, I am now Muslim and in the last few years I have started dressing more modestly and covered up. A few years ago when I first wore an Abaya in Saudi Arabia I didn’t like it and thought it seemed oppressive to wear, however quickly I got used to it and then I realised there are so many beautiful abaya’s available and I felt very elegant in it.

I took 2 pink abayas to Abu Dhabi with me and they were so perfect.

An abaya is a bit like a kimono but longer in length and arms and sometimes has a zip or buttons so it can be open or closed.

Underneath my abaya, I wore a short-sleeved top and leggings to keep me cool with the lightweight loose abaya on top and I felt really nice in it and got so many compliments, so that’s worth keeping in mind, especially as you’ll see a lot of nice abaya’s in Abu Dhabi malls to buy.

If you want to get an abaya in Abu Dhabi, I recommend going to Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre which is a local shopping mall as prices will be cheaper and it’s also the Gold Souk!

What I love about the UAE is that just like local women and women working in the UAE tend to dress more modestly and covered, so do the men. In fact, local men probably cover up more!

They wear t-shirts, shorts, short-sleeved shirts, swimming trunks on the beach and by the pool.

A man can wear all of the above. Going out in a t-shirt or short-sleeved shirt and shorts are totally fine and you will not look out of place.

As a man in Abu Dhabi I do recommend not wearing sleeve-less tops or shorts that are tooo short, not because you can’t, but if you are in malls or restaurants with people who live in Abu Dhabi I think you will feel a bit conscious of this much skin on show as men who live there don’t do this.

You will see Arab men in Abu Dhabi wearing what looks like a long white dress. These are called kandoras and they are worn in many Arab and South Asian countries by men.

As a man, you might not initially feel like wearing one but once you wear one and realise how comfortable it is since you just wear light white trousers under it too and a t-shirt along with how airy it is on hot days, you’ll realise why men love wearing them so much!

Like abayas for women, if you want to buy yourself a kandora to try a local style you can pick them up in the malls, especially local malls like Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre where they are cheaper.

Pack all your normal holiday clothes including the items I have said above like midi and maxi dresses and skirts for women and t-shirts over sleeveless tops for men.

But also keep in mind that if you visit Abu Dhabi in winter, it does actually get cold and cooler at night. Especially if you go on a desert safari tour.

As soon as the sun sets in the desert during the winter months you will NEED a jumper or hoodie to keep you warm so make sure you include this when putting together your Abu Dhabi packing list!

Main photo: Palawan in the Philippines (Alamy)

Why go in February? For the biggest of parties in the home of good times

Average temperature 19C

Old-world streets decked out in green, purple and gold announce the arrival of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The two weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday see a crescendo of parades and parties by krewes (carnival clubs), with lots of floats, jazz and body paint. It’s a busy time to visit of course, but much less humid than in Louisiana’s summer months, when temperatures are generally in the high teens. You’ll find a more local vibe to Mardi Gras away from the heritage facades and tourist traps of the French Quarter.

Where to stay Henry Howard Hotel is a townhouse dating from 1867, with a classical colonnade and part-contemporary design, one block back from a big parade route along St Charles Avenue.

Why go in February? For a later start to perfect beach weather

Average temperature 28C

Koh Samui and its neighbouring islands in the southern Gulf of Thailand are at their driest in February, after a short but intense wet season from October to December. You’ll find some of the biggest Full Moon Parties on the island of Koh Pha-ngan, while the northeast of this jungle-clad island is quieter, as is smaller Koh Tao to the north, best for diving and snorkelling. Koh Samui itself is a gateway to both and Thailand’s second-largest island after Phuket, so there’s plenty of variety in its beaches, activities and hotels.

Where to stay All-villa accommodation on a small private island just off the northeast shore of Koh Samui makes Cape Fahn Hotel a luxurious choice.

Why go in February? For a meeting of land and sea under the aurora

Average temperature -1C

It only takes three months for the Lofoten Islands, above the Arctic Circle, to catch their first glimpse of the midnight sun after many weeks of 24-hour night or twilight, and February sits in the middle of when it all starts to shift. This is the month to balance having enough darkness to hope for a sighting of the northern lights, with at least a few hours of sun to light up these majestic islands, where mountain ranges meet the ocean. A highway threads along the chain as far as the concisely named village of Å, passing old fishing settlements where wooden cabins perch on stilts at the water’s edge.

Where to stay Get a taste of a Norwegian fisherman’s life in the days of old by staying in one of the 38 cabins at Svinøya Rorbuer in the town of Svolvær.

Why go in February? For extraordinary wildlife encounters

Average temperature 25C

This is a generally dry and slightly cooler time of year across Mexico. Winter sun aside, the best reason to visit in February is to catch some incredible animal migrations. Millions of monarch butterflies are getting ready to fly north after their winter stay in the forested mountains of the Michoacán-Mexico State border. And in the lagoons on the coast of Baja California, grey whales come right up to visitor boats in some of the world’s most well-managed wildlife encounters. You’ll find both high-end resorts and abundant nature reserves along this 700-mile peninsula.

Where to stay In the Baja Sur town of Loreto, which is often a base for whale-watching trips, La Mision Loreto Hotel is a modern outpost with hacienda-style touches, right on the shore of the Gulf of California.

Why go in February? For beach time and underwater discoveries in the best conditions

Average temperature 31C

The almost 1,200 tropical islands of the Maldives experience their driest month in February. They are grouped into 26 atolls that lie in an elongated loop, like necklaces within a necklace, suspended in the midst of the Indian Ocean. Whale sharks tend to move to the eastern atolls around December and back west again in May, but at Ari Atoll on the western side these gentle giants can be spotted year-round and now is a great time for diving visibility generally and high season for escapes to white-sand beaches.

Where to stay Well placed for spotting whale sharks and manta rays, Lux South Ari Atoll has over-water villas and thatched beach bungalows on a mile-long island, plus eight restaurants and plenty of family options.

Why go in February? For hitting the ski runs in the most Alpine of settings

Average temperature -10C

Assorted European half-term holidays can make Alpine ski resorts busy in February and this month is typically the best for finding powdery snow. If Switzerland is the heart of the Alps, then the canton of Valais is it in microcosm: French-speaking in the west, German-speaking in the east, with the pinnacle of the Matterhorn almost halfway. Zermatt, Verbier and Crans-Montana are among the best-known resorts, but under-the-radar alternatives include Grimentz, which has kept much of its traditional wooden architecture, and the valley of the Lötschental — of interest even to non-skiers for its slightly scary Tschäggätä carnival, famous for its frightful masks.

Where to stay The 32-room Hôtel Alpina in Grimentz has an ideal location between the two main ski lift stations in the village, with an unfussy modern Alpine look inside and cycling facilities for the summer season.

Why go in February? For samba and sequins in a spectacularly set city

Average temperature 28C

While the pre-Lenten carnival season is generally chilly in its European home, in Brazil the revelry happens at the height of summer. It’s a favourite Brazilian holiday time despite bursts of rain in much of the country — apart from the northeast, where Salvador and Recife have their own proud carnival traditions. If you’re looking for bucket-list spectacle, Rio de Janeiro’s show tops the bill, whether you score a ticket to watch the dazzling parade in the 90,000-seat Sambadrome or join in with the beating of drums at neighbourhood parties, watched over by Sugarloaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

Why go in February? To follow in ancient footsteps along the banks of the Nile

Average temperature 23C

Winter in Egypt means packing something a little warmer to wear outside in the evenings. Summer temperatures regularly top 40C, so if your sights are set more on temples and pyramids than diving in the Red Sea, go in February for pleasant conditions under the desert sun. The pay-off gets bigger the further up the Nile you go and in Luxor (annual rainfall: less than 1mm) you’ll find an outstanding concentration of historic sites in and around one of ancient Egypt’s capitals. Now is the time to explore the Valley of the Kings without feeling as parched as the mummies its painted tombs once held.

Where to stay Overlooking the Nile, the Sofitel Winter Palace is an atmospheric piece of Luxor history, built in 1886 and visited by Agatha Christie, Winston Churchill and Tutankhamun expedition sponsor Lord Carnarvon.

Browse Egypt tours

Why go in February? For joie de vivre in sub-zero temperatures

Average temperature -9C

It’s the second-coldest month of the year in Quebec, but the province’s inhabitants are ready to party. In the capital, Quebec City, the Winter Carnival runs over ten days, usually in early February, and features parades, snow sculptures and winter sports such as ice canoeing. Overlapping with this, La Poutine Week glorifies the national dish of Canada: chips, cheese curds and gravy in a festival that began in Montreal and has spread nationwide. Outside the cities, now is also the season for skiing (downhill and cross-country) in resorts such as Mont-Tremblant.

Where to stay Quebec City’s landmark par excellence since 1893, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac looks even more splendid with snow on its turrets — it’s possibly the world’s most photographed hotel.

Why go in February? For tropical island-hopping at the most comfortable time of year

Average temperature 27C

With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines defies easy categorisation, but it’s true that apart from along a narrow eastern fringe, February sees the lowest rainfall of the year. It’s still high season and there are fewer tourists than in the New Year period, plus there’s a host of celebrations including Baguio’s flower festival, making February all-in-all a great time to explore. Inland attractions include the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, but the call of white sands and turquoise waters speaks loudest. The province of Palawan has world-class wreck diving and — in the Bacuit Archipelago around El Nido — a wonderland of limestone islets sheltering secret coves.

Where to stay One of a small group of hotels dotted around northern Palawan, El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island has rooms in thatched cottages perched on stilts between sheltered waters and green cliffs.

Why go in February? For parade floats in a superb fortress city on the Med

Average temperature 13C

The week before Ash Wednesday brings out the crowds, in what is otherwise Malta’s low season, for carnival celebrations across the Mediterranean island nation. Small but rich in historic sights, capital Valletta is the centre of the action, with larger-than-life floats featuring colourful and often satirical figures and dancers in equally eye-popping get-up. Other festivities include the Nadur Carnival on Gozo, with more macabre themes. Costumed merriment aside, it’s a mild time in Malta, with temperatures around the low teens; not exactly beach weather, but a fine choice for some winter sun while staying (just) in Europe.

Where to stay By the waterfront in Senglea, one of the Three Cities across from Valletta, the Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour has 21 suavely contemporary suites inside a 16th-century bastion.

Why go in February? For inspiring scenery and safaris in South Africa’s second-largest province

Average temperature 17C

Summer in South Africa is both the driest time of year around Cape Town in the southwest and the wettest as you go northeast towards Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park. The picture is more diverse in the province of the Eastern Cape and this variety — not just in climate — is key to its appeal. Its boundaries encompass coastal trails at the eastern end of the Garden Route, the semi-desert surrounds of the Karoo inland and wildlife-spotting, including all (with luck) of the Big Five at Addo Elephant National Park and other preserves. The Wild Coast to the east is green and rugged as the name suggests.

Where to stay Woodall Country House & Spa is ideally positioned for trips to see Addo’s elephants and has spacious country estate-style rooms on a working citrus farm.

Why go in February? For rainforest wildlife and unspoiled sandy beaches

Average temperature 28C

Central America’s ecotourism star gets tropical downpours throughout the year in most places (hence its resplendent rainforest) but if you’re on the Pacific coast, February is a drier time — busy, but less so than January or Easter. Puntarenas Province covers most of the country’s western shore, including the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, with relaxed beach vibes around the town of Montezuma, and further along, two of the country’s top national parks: Manuel Antonio (small and accessible, and very biodiverse) and more remote but stunning Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula.

Where to stay Between Manuel Antonio and Corcovado national parks, Oxygen Jungle Villas has ocean views from the infinity pool in its green hillside perch and a Balinese-inspired vibe.

Why go in February? For late summer days on Australia’s island state

Average temperature 21C

The last days of January signal “back to school” across Australia, but temperatures remain near their summer highs well into February, accompanied by tropical rains in northern parts. At the other end of the continent, the island of Tasmania is at its sunniest and its landscapes are at their most inviting, from the vivid colours of the beaches in the Bay of Fires, to the epic vistas of Cradle Mountain. Add to that a mix of both familiar Australian critters and locally endemic wildlife (wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils), food and wine trails, plus cultural discoveries in the capital Hobart and Australia’s outlier state promises a well-rounded holiday.

Where to stay On the east coast en route from Hobart to the Bay of Fires, the Piermont Retreat is a beachside collection of stone cottages accompanied by a fine farm-to-table restaurant.

Why go in February? For gorilla encounters and other wonders of nature

Average temperature 19C

Most of Uganda gets two dry(ish) seasons — December to February and June to September — and although the first is the wetter of the two, it’s also a less busy time to visit. Thinner vegetation at the end of this first lull in the rains means easier wildlife-spotting. Uganda’s Western Region is home to many of the country’s biggest draws, from the elephants and lions of Murchison Falls National Park in the north, to the otherworldly flora of the Rwenzori Mountains and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the south. Book well ahead for guided treks in the prime sanctuary for mountain gorillas.

The Kaskaskia River is main river, with a length of approximately 523 km, however the watershed has approximately 12,436 km of combined area through seventh

The wood must be dry since it degrades with UV rays and weakens the anchorage of the finishing product.

Sanding the wood is necessary until the surface is smooth. The best way to finish is with a fine-grain Fandeli sandpaper. To sand, it is recommended to start with coarse sandpaper and change to fine sandpaper, which are capable of removing marks from the wood grain, clean the sanding dust with a cloth or brush.

Do not use the same brush for both applications.

Maintenance preparation for wood.

The state of the existing coating should be verified.

The wood should be lightly washed with soap and water. Let it dry.

The sand is smooth. The aquarium can be applied with paint or alkyd.

Wood preparation can be damaged during treatment. It is necessary to remove the old layers of material, clean the wood and sand, and anchor the new treatment on the surface.

The instructions for preparing new wood should be followed once the old layer is removed.

There are some basics of wood.

After being subjected to harsh conditions, wood should not be painted immediately.

It can be either humid or dry (rain, sun, direct). The product should be spread in the direction of the wood's grain. Apply in thin layers. The performance indicated by the manufacturer can be achieved through a different method. It is necessary to respect some products that require the application of funds.

instructions in this regard. The application of a greater number of coats or layers will be necessary to achieve the expected performance if the product isDiluted more than what is recommended on the label. The drying times between coats are indicated by the manufacturer. These are dependent on atmospheric conditions.

Even if the surface can't be seen, apply the product to it.

The door and window frames are an example.

These are the products that we recommend to protect your wooden surfaces.

You can buy the entire line of paints at your PAQSA branches.