Nobody in Jordan will stop you at the airport over a pair of shorts, and nobody will say a word at the Treasury. What you wear changes the rest of the day: how people treat you in a village, how comfortable you are on the Petra trail at noon, and if you get asked to cover up at a mosque.
We're a tour company in Wadi Musa, the town at Petra's gate, and we've been walking guests through all of this for more than seven years. This is what we tell people before they arrive.
Short version
Cover your shoulders and knees, avoid anything tight, short or low-cut, and carry a scarf. Wear light long layers for the sun, closed shoes you can walk in all day, and a warm layer for desert nights. Swimwear belongs at resort beaches and hotel pools. If you're unsure, dress a little more conservatively than you would at home, and relax it if everyone around you has. Updated November 2026.
The rule we give everyone
You'll hear that Jordan has no dress code. For visitors that's close to true: nobody polices tourists. But people notice, and outside Amman and the tourist hubs a bare-shouldered top reads very differently from how it does at home. So we follow the stricter rule in villages, at sites where local families are visiting, and anywhere religious. We relax it in Amman's newer districts and at resort pools.
For women
- Tops with sleeves that cover the shoulders and upper arms, and no low necklines. Cleavage is the line that matters most.
- Long skirts, maxi dresses or loose trousers. Leggings and jeans are fine if the top is long enough to cover your hips.
- A light scarf or shawl. You don't need to cover your hair on the street, but you'll want the scarf for the sun, for cool evenings and for religious sites.
- Closed, broken-in shoes, and a fleece or light jacket for evenings.
For men
- Long, loose trousers rather than shorts, especially at religious sites and in rural areas.
- T-shirts or shirts with sleeves. Skip sleeveless tops everywhere except the beach or pool.
- Swim trunks are fine at the pool or beach. Put a cover-up on before you walk into a restaurant or shop.
Mosques and churches
Rules differ from site to site, so ask at the entrance. In Amman, King Abdullah I Mosque expects women to cover their hair, and headscarves and abayas are available at the entrance if your arms, legs or jeans need covering. Shoes come off before the prayer hall. Visits on a Friday can be possible if you avoid prayer times, but call ahead. Tourist-friendly mosques such as King Hussein Mosque lend scarves at the door, and hair should also be covered in active churches. We haven't confirmed mosque opening hours this month, so check before you go.
If you use your own scarf, cover all of your hair, including the fringe, and tuck it under the chin.
By place
Amman
Shoulders covered, trousers or skirts to the knee, and shoes you can walk hills in. Amman is the most relaxed place in the country for dress, but it is not a beach town.
Petra
Long trousers or a long skirt with a long-sleeved top in a light, quick-drying fabric, sturdy shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a small backpack. Wear layers: it can be cool in the Siq and hot on the steps. Sunscreen matters even on a cool, windy day. Boots earn their weight if you plan to climb beyond the Main Trail. Our Visiting Petra guide
covers how long you'll be walking, and our Petra trails guide
lists the official routes and times.
Wadi Rum
Light, breathable long sleeves and trousers, sturdy shoes, and a scarf or bandana against dust and sun. In winter bring thermal layers, a woolly hat, gloves and a warm jacket for camp, because nights can fall to freezing. If you're sleeping out, our Bedouin vs luxury camps guide
tells you what blankets and heating to ask about, and our Wadi Rum tours
list what we run.
Dead Sea and Aqaba
Swimwear is fine at resort beaches and hotel pools, such as those on the Dead Sea, but not at public beaches. Pack water shoes or flip-flops for rocky shores, and a cover-up for the walk to the water. Cover up before you leave the resort area. We haven't confirmed which Aqaba beaches are private, so ask your hotel.
By season
- Summer:
hot in the desert and the lowlands. Light, breathable fabrics, sun protection and a hat.
- Winter:
temperatures drop sharply in the desert and the highlands. Bring a warm jacket.
- Spring and autumn:
mild, but the swing between sun and shade is large, so layer. Our month-by-month guide
shows which months suit which trips.
A packing list that covers most trips
- Two or three long, loose tops with sleeves, and two pairs of long trousers or a long skirt.
- A light scarf or shawl for sun, cool evenings and religious sites.
- Walking shoes or boots, broken in before you fly. New shoes and Petra's steps are a bad mix.
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- A warm layer: a fleece or jacket, and thermals for winter desert camping.
- Swimwear and a cover-up, and water shoes if you're heading to the Dead Sea.
FAQ
Do women have to wear a headscarf in Jordan?
No. Not on the street, at Petra or in a restaurant. You cover your hair inside active mosques and some churches, and tourist-friendly mosques lend scarves at the door, but carrying your own is easier.
Can I wear shorts in Jordan?
At the pool, at the beach and around tourist areas, nobody will stop you. Outside Amman and at religious sites, long trousers fit better. Knee-length is the minimum we suggest.
What should I wear in Petra?
Light long sleeves, long trousers or a long skirt, closed shoes you've already walked in, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Add a layer, because the temperature changes quickly between sun and shade.
Can I wear a bikini on Jordan's beaches?
At resort beaches and hotel pools, such as the hotels on the Dead Sea, yes. At public beaches, no: cover up. In Aqaba, ask your hotel which stretches are private.
What should men wear in mosques?
Long trousers and a shirt with sleeves, with shoes off in the prayer hall. Ask at the entrance, because rules vary from site to site.
Is it very cold in Wadi Rum at night?
In winter, yes. Desert nights can fall to freezing, so bring a fleece or jacket, a hat and gloves, and ask your camp about blankets and heating before you book.
Not sure what to pack for your dates?
Tell us your dates and where you're going on our contact page, and we'll tell you what to bring. If you're planning Petra or the desert, see Petra
and Wadi Rum.
Last updated: 2 November 2026. Site rules change, so ask at the entrance.
