08/01/2024
Hi Travelers,
many of you are asking what to wear, so I checked in with our tour company to make sure we look appropriate and are well prepared for our trip. Since this year we have many newcomers in our group, I want to let everybody know that most of our trips are heavy on sightseeing , therefore comfortable walking shoes and sneakers are a must.
Normally we get picked up at the hotel at 9 am by our guide and are back in the hotel around 3pm, at which point you are free to do as you like. It will be hot in Saudi even in winter, so wear comfortable loose clothing.
Although SA has relaxed its dress code for travelers, and women are no longer required to wear an abaya, we are still expected to dress conservatively, wear loose clothing that does not reveal curves, skin or cleavage, and wear modest/subdued colors. I was told not to wear any religious symbols, logos or decals or text.
Many female tourists choose to wear an abaya anyway because it is easier to keep everything covered and they get fewer stares when traveling. You don't have to do this, but make sure you are covered to your elbows, that your clothing does not cling, and if you are wearing jeans, wear a longer top to cover your bum :-) Maxi dresses are ideal, but make sure they either have elbow length sleeves or wear a T-shirt underneath. Instead of an abaya, I am considering buying a few long silk tunics. If you go to Shein.com and type abaya in the search box, you will get a lot of loose dusters, capes, and sleeved tunics that will cover everything.
Online, you will see many tourists wearing shorts, but even men get stared at when they wear this. Most wear long pants, with a loose untucked T-shirt with no text. While a few hotels allow bikinis (rare), a one-piece bathing suit is suggested. Most tourists wear a t-shirt over their swim suit while in water.
Jeddah is more touristy, so you should feel more comfortable dressed western, and people won't stare at you as much as in Riyadh. You should still pack a scarf in case we visit any mosques or religious buildings.
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