What should I wear in Saudi Arabia?

What should women wear?

• Loose trousers, long skirts and long tops work well anywhere.
• An abaya is optional for foreign women but useful in conservative areas.
• A headscarf is not required in public, but is needed at mosques.
• Carry a light scarf for unexpected mosque visits.

What should men wear?

• Long trousers or knee-length shorts are fine in cities.
• Avoid sleeveless tops in public.
• Local men wear the thobe, and visitors are welcome to, but it is not expected.

What about beaches and pools?

Private resorts on the Red Sea allow regular swimwear. At public beaches, swim modestly and cover up as soon as you are out of the water.

What layers should I pack?

Season	Pack
November to March	A jacket for evenings, especially Riyadh, AlUla and Abha
April to October	Breathable cotton or linen, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Desert trips	Closed shoes and a scarf for dust
Mosques	Socks and a small bag for your shoes

What is good etiquette?

• Greet with "as-salamu alaykum", and reply "wa alaykum as-salam".
• Men should wait to see if a woman offers her hand first, and the same applies in reverse.
• Use your right hand to eat, give and receive.
• Arabic coffee is a welcome. Gently shake the small cup from side to side when you have had enough.
• Remove your shoes where others have.
• Do not walk in front of someone who is praying.
• Lower music and voices at prayer time.

What changes in Ramadan?

Avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public during fasting hours, even if you are not Muslim. Dress a little more conservatively, and expect shorter daytime business hours.