LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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WHAT TO WEAR IN JORDAN: A GUIDE FOR WOMEN.

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Planning a trip to Jordan and wondering what to wear? Based on my recent travels, this guide offers practical advice to help you feel comfortable, respectful, and confident throughout your journey.

During my time in Jordan, I noticed a wide range of styles among female travellers — from those dressed modestly to others who opted for more revealing outfits. I was genuinely surprised by some of the choices and suspect that a few travellers attracted more local attention than they might have anticipated.

This isn’t a discussion about what women should wear in Jordan from a cultural or political standpoint. Rather, it’s a straightforward guide drawn from my own experience as a visitor.

As a seasoned traveller, I generally err on the side of caution when it comes to dressing in conservative countries. My approach — and my advice — leans towards modesty and practicality, though of course, personal style and comfort will always vary.

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How modestly do female travellers need to dress in Jordan?

When I landed in Amman, one of the first questions I asked my taxi driver was about what women should wear in Jordan. I’d already researched and packed accordingly, but I still thought it wise to get a local perspective. He laughed and told me, kindly, that I wouldn’t be needing a burqa any time soon.

After teasing me a little, his advice was simple: always wear clothing that falls below the knee, and if you’re visiting a mosque, cover up fully — shoulders and hair included. People will look at you, he said, regardless of what you’re wearing. “Everyone looks at everyone in Jordan, it’s normal.”

After spending three weeks in Jordan, I think his general rule holds true. Avoid shorts, short skirts, and low-cut tops, but bare arms and shoulders (to an extent) are fine.

Much depends on your comfort level and how you feel about attracting a few stares — though, as my taxi driver pointed out, that will happen regardless.

In Amman, I never saw locals chastising tourists for what they wore, even if it was above the knee. Still, if your goal is to blend in and travel respectfully, I’d recommend dressing modestly.

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What to Wear in Amman

Amman is quite liberal compared to the rest of Jordan — and certainly compared to other parts of the Middle East. Many local women wear the hijab with everyday Western clothing, like jeans or long dresses. Others wear the abaya or even a full burqa.

In the evening, especially around Rainbow Street, you’ll notice a relaxed atmosphere. Women — including some locals — wear sleeveless tops or more fitted outfits. On a rooftop bar, with people drinking whisky late into the night, you could almost imagine you’re in a European city. The key difference? Women tend to cover up again when they leave. Layers are essential.

By day: Loose, flowing skirts (below the knee) or linen trousers, paired with a T-shirt, blouse, or vest top layered with a shirt or pashmina to cover your shoulders and chest.

By night: If you’re heading out to Rainbow Street, try a longer dress or skirt with a top. Add a jacket or pashmina — something easy to remove once you’re indoors.

If you’d like more inspiration for your time in the capital, read our 48 hours in Amman guide.

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What to Wear for Swimming in Jordan

If you’re visiting the Dead Sea or Aqaba, you might be wondering about swimwear.

It’s best to avoid swimsuits or bikinis on public beaches in Aqaba. While it’s a personal choice, it’s not generally considered appropriate, and you’ll attract attention. However, at private beaches or hotel resorts, wearing a regular swimsuit or bikini is perfectly normal.

If you want to sunbathe, head to a beach club or stay somewhere with a private beach. We’ve shared recommendations in our Aqaba guide.

For evenings in Aqaba or around town, I’d suggest dressing modestly — long, flowing maxi dresses with sleeves and a light pashmina worked well for me. Inside tourist bars, I felt comfortable taking off the pashmina.

For the Dead Sea – it’s most likely that you’ll be swimming at a resort or hotel – in which case, swimsuits would be fine. We visited a stretch of the Dead Sea that you can swim in for free (more on that here), and I did feel comfortable enough to wear my swimsuit. That said, if I was alone, I might not have.

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What to Wear in the Rest of Jordan

In the main tourist areas — Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea — similar rules to Amman apply. These destinations attract plenty of Western tourists, some modestly dressed and others less so. Personally, I kept things modest but wore shorts for hiking in Wadi Rum and a midi dress for exploring Petra.

When we travelled through northern Jordan — Jerash, Madaba, and Ajlun — I noticed fewer tourists and more traditional dress among locals. Here, I opted for long, loose dresses or trousers and always covered my shoulders. Most Jordanian women in these areas wore an abaya and hijab, particularly outside Madaba.

What to Wear for Hiking in Jordan

If you’re hiking in Jordan, practicality comes first. I adjusted my hiking outfits depending on where I was and who I was likely to meet.

When walking the Jordan Trail from Dana to Petra, I felt comfortable wearing shorts and a sleeveless sports top — there were many tourists and it was simply too hot for anything else. The same applied in Wadi Rum.

However, when hiking in the north near King Talal Dam, we passed through rural villages where women dressed very traditionally. Out of respect, I wore long trousers and a sleeved top, even in the heat.

There are no hard and fast rules — the best advice is to take cues from your surroundings.

If you’re planning to hike, check out our guides to the Jordan Trail, Petra, and Wadi Rum.

What to Wear in Jordan by Season

Spring (March–May):
A wonderful time to visit, with warm weather across most of the country and hotter days in the south. Pack layers: linen trousers, maxi or midi dresses, and a light jacket or cardigan for cooler mornings and evenings.

Summer (June–August):
Expect heat — often in the high 30s or even 40°C in the south. At beach resorts and private clubs, you can wear shorts or swimwear, but modest dress is still advised elsewhere. Lightweight fabrics that cover the legs and shoulders work best.

Autumn (September–November):
Temperatures cool off, especially in the north. This is an ideal season for packing options — maxi dresses or long trousers for day, and jeans or a light jacket for evenings. Aqaba and the Dead Sea stay warm, around the mid to high 20s.

What to Pack for Jordan

Here’s what I packed for three weeks in Jordan in the autumn.

Top Tip – natural and light colours work best. Beige, white and light green are great and can help to keep you cool in the sun. Yellow, rust and red also work well as colour palettes in contrast to the colours of Petra and the dessert if you want impactful photos!

Jordan Travel Guides

Find more information and travel guides for Jordan below.

• How to spend two nights in Amman
• Nightlife in Amman: A guide
• Can you drink alcohol in Jordan
• Where to stay in Wadi Rum
• How to survive visiting Petra
• How to swim in the Dead Sea for free
• The Jordan Trail: Trekking from Dana to Petra
• Everything you need to know before visiting Jordan for the first time
• 11 most beautiful places in Jordan
• Food and drinks to try when you visit Jordan
• Is Aqaba worth visiting?
• Ideal seven day itineraries for exploring Jordan

Would you like to book a tour to explore more of the country?

We love independent travel, but sometimes booking a tour is the best way to travel for you. Luckily, G Adventures has some amazing tours in Jordan and Israel.

First, is an eight day Amman to Amman Tour taking in all the main sites of Jordan. From Petra to Wadi Rum, this tour has it all.

If you are keen to explore Israel and Jordan, why not combine the two? With a 15 day Israel and Jordan adventure tour.

<- READ ALL JORDAN POSTS

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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Most of our planning is done using other blogs, but you can’t beat a guide book at the bottom of your case. Find them here on Amazon.

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