What to Wear in Oman As A Woman (With Downloadble Packing List)

Wondering what to wear in Oman as a Woman? You’ve come to the right place. 

As a travel blogger who’s explored nearly 70 countries, I’ve had my fair share of experiences navigating different cultural norms and dress codes around the world. From covering up in India to the laid-back vibes of Southeast Asia, I’ve learned that dressing appropriately is less about hard rules and more about respecting locals whilst also staying true to your personal style.

Oman is a Muslim and a fairly conservative country (but not as conservative as you might think in comparison to places like Saudi Arabia). It does, however, place a lot of emphasis on modesty and cultural respect, and it’s important that as a tourist you try to be as respectful as possible. 

As a tourist in Oman, I observed some tourists following general rules and etiquette, and others completely ignoring them, and whilst those people did attract a few stares here and there, no one confronted them. Omanis are super friendly, and there is more leniency towards tourists and expats versus locals, but I do think it’s important to be as informed and respectful as you possibly can; you are a guest in the country after all. 

I definitely overpacked for my week-long trip to Oman, but I’m all for being overprepared rather than underprepared, especially when it comes to respecting local traditions and culture in foreign countries. During my time, I felt like I learnt a lot about what’s acceptable and what’s not, both by observing as well as talking to locals and expats who live in Oman. 

In this guide, I will delve into what to wear in Oman as a woman to ensure that you’re both comfortable and culturally considerate. Whether you’re planning to visit the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Mosque or relax on the stunning beaches of the Daymaniyat Islands, I’ll provide you with practical tips and insights to help you pack confidently for your trip.

So, what should you wear as a woman in Oman? Read on below to find out! 

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⬇️Oman At A Glance⬇️

⛵WHAT TO DO⛵
– Visit the stunning Daymaniyat Islands
– Book a tour with Husaak Adventures
– Enjoy a Sunset boat cruise in Muscat
– Visit Nizwa Cultural Village

✅Travel Essentials For Oman✅
– Book flights with Skyscanner 
– Download the “Otaxi” App
– Stay connected with an eSIM from Airalo
– Get covered by SafetyWing – My favourite Travel Insurance provider

📅WHEN TO VISIT📅 
The best time to visit Oman is during the cooler months from October to April. During these cooler months, temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C.

Understanding Omani Culture & Dress Codes

Before we dive into the specifics of what to pack and wear in Oman, it’s important to understand a little bit more about the culture you’ll be stepping into. Oman is a Muslim country deeply rooted in Islamic traditions, and modesty for women is a key part of life here.

While Oman shares many cultural similarities with other countries in the Gulf, most Omanis follow Ibadi Islam, which is a branch that is different from the more widely known Sunni and Shia sects. 

An expat I spoke to mentioned that Oman’s Ibadi roots play a big role in why locals are generally more laid-back about imposing religious rules on non-Muslims, which means modesty guidelines for visitors are a bit more relaxed.

Omani people are known for being super welcoming and friendly towards visitors, and I can confirm I was treated with a warm smile everywhere I went.  However, whilst locals are generally used to seeing tourists, it’s always really appreciated when travellers make a good effort to dress respectfully. 

As a tourist, you definitely won’t be expected to dress like a local. You’ll notice that local women will be wearing Abayas, Niqabs and some Bedouin women wearing a unique type of face covering known as the Battoulah or Burqa. However, making a little effort to blend in and be mindful of your outfit choices will 100% go a long way. 

💡 Think of dressing modestly in Oman less as a strict dress code and more as a gesture of respect for the country’s values and traditions.

What To Wear As A  Woman In Oman: The Essentials 

Loose & Breathable Clothing

The Omani climate is no joke, and temperatures can easily get above 35°C for most of the year, so choosing the right fabrics is super important. For my trip to Oman, I ensured that I packed lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. Not only did they keep me nice and cool in the heat, but they also allowed me to remain modest. 

I would highly recommend packing a few linen shirts and long, wide-leg linen trousers or skirts. I absolutely swore by these Marks & Spencer linen trousers; I packed 3 different colours with me and wore them on rotation throughout my trip. Obviously, if you’re not from the UK, then any linen trousers will do, but if you are, then I can’t recommend these enough. 

Keeping Your Knees Covered In Oman

When it comes to your bottom half, covering your knees (for both women and men)  is very important, especially if you’re visiting a mosque. During my trip, I found that the easiest way to stay cool and covered was by alternating between linen trousers and both midi and maxi skirts.

Again, not only did it mean that I felt cool in the heat, but it also allowed me to stay true to my personal style. Because let’s be honest, at the end of the day, I’m just a girl who likes to feel put-together, even while travelling in 35°C weather.

Of course, if dresses are more your thing, midi and maxi dresses are also a fantastic choice. They tick all the boxes for modesty and look great in those golden-hour desert photos. I personally leaned more towards trousers and skirts, but it really comes down to what you feel best in.

It’s also worth noting that this “knees-covered” rule becomes a little more flexible when you are out hiking or doing more adventurous activities. In those cases, it’s absolutely ok to make practicality your main priority and choose to wear sports leggings or hiking shorts. I personally wore hiking shorts during all my hikes in Oman and never had any issues (see image below).

Keeping Your Shoulders And Chest Covered In Oman

One of the most important things I was also mindful of was ensuring that my shoulders and chest/cleavage were always covered (not that I was even blessed with much in that department). In more touristy places like beach resorts and the Daymaniyat Islands, you’ll see a bit more leniency, but in public spaces, this is definitely super important. 

Personally, I found lightweight shirts and t-shirts that covered my shoulders to be the best option. I really recommend having a few of your favourite tops in multiple different colours so that you can mix and match and just make things super easy for yourself. 

Again, these H&M Linen shirts became a staple in my Omani wardrobe. I had one in black and one in beige to match perfectly with my linen trousers, and then I packed brown, black and white/cream t-shirts to match too. 

⭐TOP TIP⭐
Pack versatile pieces you can layer and re-wear like loose trousers, maxi skirts, and lightweight tops. Stick to neutral basics and use scarves or accessories to add variety. This saves space, keeps you cool, and ensures you’re dressed appropriately for any setting whilst still looking stylish.

Wearing Abayas & Scarves In Oman

Before coming to Oman, I think a lot of tourists assume that they will need to wear an Abaya like local women, but this is not true. From what I saw and experienced myself in Oman, wearing an Abaya is not mandatory for foreign women, except when visiting religious sites like mosques. 

For my visit to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat, I simply wore long linen trousers, a buttoned-up linen shirt and a headscarf to cover my hair. Outside of these religious spaces, I was a bit more relaxed. Although I really do recommend keeping a headscarf in your bag at all times, just in case you have an unexpected/impromptu visit to religious spaces and conservative places. 

Swimwear In Oman: What’s Okay to Wear?

One of the big questions I had before travelling to Oman was about swimwear. Was I allowed to wear it? Or would I have to wear a full-body cover-up? 

After spending time at both public beaches and private hotel pools, I can confirm that the modesty rules still apply, but these rules change depending on where you are. 

At private resorts like the Shangri-La resort, it’s absolutely ok to wear swimsuits and bikinis, although I did have a kaftan to hand when walking around the hotel and to and from the water.  

This is also true for day trips to places like the Daymaniyat Island, which is a more tourist-heavy area, and I saw 95% of the female tourists there wearing bikinis, whilst I opted for a one-piece bathing suit. 

At public beaches and more local swimming spots, this is generally less accepted, although I did notice one or two tourists wearing bikinis at the public beaches in Muscat. This wasn’t raised as an issue at the time, but it’s not something I would have personally chosen to do just out of respect. 

I will go into more detail about swimwear further down in this post. 

Pack Comfortable Footwear

Oman’s landscapes are diverse, and if you’re planning on a road trip throughout the country, then you’ll be walking on everything from city pavements to sand dunes to rocky wadi trails, so trust me when I say comfortable footwear is a necessity. 

For my trip to Oman, I packed 3 pairs of shoes. I rotated between a pair of casual sandals for the days when I was strolling around Muscat or heading to the beach. I then alternated between trainers and hiking boots for the more adventurous days of my trip. 

🩴Slip-on shoes are extremely handy when visiting mosques and certain restaurants where you’ll need to remove your shoes before entering.

What to Wear in Muscat as a Woman

Muscat is much more cosmopolitan than the rest of the country, and you’ll find that modesty rules here for tourists are a little more relaxed than in more rural areas. As I’ve mentioned earlier in this post, long, loose-fitting clothing that covers your shoulders and knees should do the trick for a day of exploring the capital city. I spent a lot of my time exploring Muscat in a t-shirt and linen trousers with a linen shirt and headscarf in my bag just so that I had it to hand if need be. 

What to Wear for Nights Out in Oman as a Woman

Even in the evenings, Oman’s modest dress expectations still apply, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t get dressed up. A nice maxi dress, or jumpsuit, is a really good option for evening wear, so you can still feel glam but of course remain covered. During my trip, I opted for this black top with a maxi satin skirt combo, which was an outfit I loved and felt super glam in. 

That said, I couldn’t help but notice that many expat women wore skirts and dresses that sat above the knee. Out of curiosity, I asked some locals I met about this, and they said that this is fairly normal and generally accepted, particularly in the more upmarket areas of Muscat. Omanis are used to a diverse international community, so there’s a bit more flexibility in these settings.

However, if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to err on the side of caution and stick to clothing that covers the knees and shoulders. 

What to Wear in Rural Oman as a Woman

Some areas of Oman are much less accustomed to tourists, so covering up becomes even more important, and you’ll find things are less lenient in these parts than in Muscat. 

I always made sure to wear long sleeves, ankle-length skirts or trousers, and carried a light scarf just in case. I don’t know about you, but I think in these situations it’s a much more comfortable feeling to blend in than stand out.

One thing I did see during my trip was a female tourist wearing extremely short shorts and a top that didn’t cover her shoulders in one of these rural villages. I totally understand that it can get very hot in Oman, but I just thought that it was extremely disrespectful, especially in these rural areas. 

What to Wear to a Mosque in Oman as a Woman

When visiting religious sites like the stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, there are strict dress requirements for women. Hair must be covered with a scarf, arms fully covered, and legs covered to the ankles. 

As I mentioned earlier, I wore long linen trousers, a buttoned-up linen shirt and a headscarf to cover my hair, which was absolutely fine. Men should also wear long trousers and cover their shoulders. 

What to Wear in Oman for Wadi Adventures, Desert & Mountain Trips

Exploring the Wadi, Desert and Mountain areas of Oman is hands-down the best part of coming to the country, but you do need to think about clothing that’s both practical and modest.

In popular wadis like Wadi Shab, it’s common to see tourists swimming in regular swimsuits. However, in lesser-known wadis and rural swimming spots, it’s more respectful to wear a quick-dry t-shirt and shorts over your swimwear, which is what I chose to do when I went on a rural adventure in Oman. 

When it comes to hiking in the mountains or wadis, you can absolutely wear shorts in Oman. That said, I always made sure my shorts were longer in length (think mid-thigh cycling shorts) rather than super short, just to stay on the respectful side.

For desert trips, I found loose, light-colored trousers and breathable long-sleeve tops to be the best choice, more so for protecting my skin from the intense heat than anything else. It’s also important to bring layers with you if you plan on camping in the desert because it can get extremely cold here, depending on what time of the year you visit. 

Seasonal Weather In Oman & How It Affects What to Wear

Oman’s climate is typically hot and dry, but it does depend on the season and the region you’re visiting. 

Summer (May-September) 

Summer in Oman is extremely hot, and temperatures can reach up to 40°C with some humidity on the coast  (and I would avoid visiting between June-August if you can). The tips I’ve already discussed about loose-fitting, lightweight and breathable clothing very much apply here as well as ensuring you’re practising sun safety (not going out during midday, wearing suncream and staying hydrated). 

Winter (October to April) 

Winter is the best time to visit Oman, with much more pleasant temperatures ranging from 20-30°C. In the mountains or desert at night, though, temperatures can drop significantly (sometimes even below 10°C). 

During these months, you can stick with your modest, lightweight outfits during the day, but you’ll want to bring a few layers for early mornings and evenings (especially if you plan on camping). 

Desert Climate 

One thing to be aware of is how dramatically temperatures can swing in the desert. It can be scorching hot during the day, but shockingly chilly after sunset. When I did an overnight desert camp, I was grateful for my hooded fleece and leggings. 

For desert trips, think in terms of layers:

• Base layer: Breathable, loose long-sleeved top + trousers
• Evening layer: Light sweater or fleece
• Optional: A scarf for warmth and sand protection

What Not To Wear In Oman

While no one will confront you aggressively, wearing clothing that’s too revealing is considered disrespectful. This includes:

• Crop tops
• Off-the-shoulder tops
• Low-cut or plunging necklines
• Short skirts or shorts above the knee
• Sheer or see-through fabric
• Tight- body hugging clothing 

My rule of thumb? If you’re unsure whether something is appropriate, then it’s probably best not to wear it. 

Modest Packing List for Women Travelling to Oman

• Loose, Lightweight Tops (long-sleeved blouses, tunics)
• Breathable Trousers (linen, cotton, wide-leg styles)
• Maxi & Midi Skirts/Dresses (covering knees & ideally ankles)
• Long-Sleeved Cardigan or Light Jacket (for layering & cooler evenings)
• Leggings (for camping & cooler evenings)
• Scarf or Shawl (for mosque visits & quick cover-ups)
• Swim Leggings & Rash Guard (for wadis, beaches, and public swimming areas)
• Quick-Dry T-shirt & Shorts (to wear over swimwear in rural wadis)
• Modest Swimwear (one-piece swimsuit or modest bikini for resorts)
• Comfortable Walking Sandals (with good grip for wadis/desert)
• Lightweight Trainers or Hiking Shoes (for mountains & wadis)
• Slip-On Shoes (handy for mosque visits where shoes must be removed)
• Sun Hat or Cap (wide-brimmed for sun protection)
• Sunglasses (polarised if possible for desert glare)
  

Essential Travel Gear & Gadgets for Oman

• Power Bank (Oman is road-trip-friendly, so staying charged is crucial)
• Universal Travel Adapter (UK plug type G is standard, but multi-adapters are safer)
• GoPro / Waterproof Camera (perfect for wadi swims & desert adventures)
• Dry Bag (to keep electronics safe on wadi trips)
• Reusable Water Bottle (insulated to keep water cool in desert heat)
• Small Backpack or Daypack (for hikes & day trips)
• Travel First Aid Kit (plasters, antiseptic, painkillers, motion sickness tablets)
• Microfiber Towel (quick-dry, compact for wadis & beaches)
• Torch / Headlamp (for desert camps or evening hikes)
• Insect Repellent (especially for wadis & mountain areas)
• Sunscreen (High SPF) (reef-safe preferred for wadis & beaches)
• Lip Balm with SPF (essential in dry, hot conditions)
• Portable Fan / Neck Fan (lifesaver during peak heat)
• Camera / DSLR with Extra Memory Cards (Oman is photogenic everywhere)
• Compact Travel Tripod (if you plan to shoot content solo)

⬇️CHECK OUT MY OTHER OMAN GUIDES⬇️
An AWESOME 1-Week Oman Itinerary (Without A Car)
Husaak Adventures Tour Company – Are They Worth It?
What to Wear in Oman As A Woman 
24 Hours in Muscat: A PERFECT One-Day Itinerary for First Timers
12 EPIC Things To Do In Muscat For First Timers
Is Oman Safe For Solo Female Travellers? My Honest Experience & Safety Tips
Where To Stay In Muscat For First Timers & Solo Travellers: Best Areas & Hotels
20 Things To Know Before Visiting Oman
5 Best Day Trips from Muscat (No Car Needed!)
The ULTIMATE Travel Guide to the Daymaniyat Islands, Oman
Visiting Oman In February: What You Can Expect

Final Thoughts

Through my own travels, I’ve learned that dressing appropriately in Oman isn’t about following strict rules or losing your personal style. It’s about being mindful and adaptable. 

The key takeaway? Cover your shoulders, cleavage, and knees in public spaces, dress more conservatively in rural areas and mosques, and always prioritise comfort and practicality for adventures.