Coming from a Middle Eastern country, I know that a common concern for a lot of solo female travelers is how to dress – be it to respect the local culture or not to draw unnecessary attention. And since there are a lot of misconceptions out there, I thought I’d put this blog post together because it’s really not a one-size-fits-all kind of topic. Having traveled to Jordan recently, and because it’s one of the destinations in the region that’s growing in popularity, I thought I’d start with it. So, if you’re a solo female traveler wondering what to wear in Jordan, you’ve come to the right place.
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Common Questions Solo Female Travelers Ask About What to Wear in Jordan
Given that Middle Eastern countries are on the more conservative spectrum, one of the top concerns for female travelers, especially western ones and those traveling solo, is what they can or cannot wear. Here are some of the frequently asked questions (or different versions of “what to wear in Jordan?“) I often get when I tell others I’ve been there.
- What should girls wear in Jordan?
- Can I wear a dress to Petra?
- Can I wear short sleeves in Jordan?
- Can I wear shorts in Petra/Jordan?
So, what to wear in Jordan? For real…
Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country; however, there is no strict or formal dress code. So, even though it is a conservative country, as long as you dress moderately, you should be fine. If you take a closer look at local women, you’ll find that some may choose to cover, while others may choose to dress modestly. Other women and girls also dress in a more liberal way in certain social settings. It all comes down to a woman’s background and the environment she grew up in. And in your case as a visitor, it’s about what you’re wearing and where you’re wearing it. Some things may be completely off the table all over the country, but other things can actually be socially acceptable in more relaxed destinations or areas.
So, let’s break it down by destination.
What to wear in Amman
Amman is the capital city of Jordan, meaning you’ll be interacting with locals from different backgrounds. The general rule of thumb is to keep your knees and arms covered and try to avoid showing cleavage. That doesn’t mean that you can’t wear sleeveless tops or ripped jeans, or even dresses and skirts. You definitely can, but in nicer neighborhoods like Al Weibdeh or Rainbow street, or in more private, fancier venues, rather than Downtown, for instance.
What to wear in Petra
As Petra is probably the most touristy attraction in Jordan, it can be a more relaxed destination when it comes to dress code. Especially because there are lots of travel influencers and content creators posing in dresses, or even gowns, in front of the treasury, even though I’d recommend you’d wear something comfortable and more suitable for the location. However, Wadi Musa, the town where Petra is located, is actually a bit of a conservative place, so you need to watch out for what you wear walking around the town itself.
Like I said, Petra itself is not as strict – I personally wore biker shorts (but I wouldn’t have worn anything shorter though). You’ll be mostly hiking, and even if you take the easiest trail, the main one, it’s still better to wear something that is hiking-friendly. I talk more about what to wear and pack to Petra here.
What to wear in Aqaba
I didn’t stay in Aqaba but I made a pit stop there for a couple of hours, so I don’t have any pictures of myself on one of the beaches there, but I can assure you that your bathing suit and pair of shorts are just fine. After all, Aqaba is a beach town, so what are you expected to wear on the beach rather than beachwear?
What to wear in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a desert, so rather than focusing on what to wear in that sense, you want to see what’s desert weather-friendly. In the desert, light colors and breathable fabrics, like linen, are your best friends. If you’re at your luxury camp, you can wear all loose breathable outfits during the day, but if you’re hiking, you want to wear something comfortable that also protects your skin from the sun. And in the evening or super early in the morning, you’ll need to wear stuff that keeps you warm. You can read more on what exactly you should bring on your trip to Wadi Rum here.
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What to Wear in Jordan: The Ultimate Packing List
Your packing list will vary according to which destinations you’ll be visiting exactly, the season in which you’re traveling, and the number of days, of course. All of these are deciding factors to help you figure out what to wear in Jordan. So, I’ll assume that you’re traveling in the spring or fall (which are the best times to visit Jordan) and that you’ll be going to the main destinations mentioned before. As for the count, I’ll leave that for you.
Clothes
- Loose-fitted, breathable pants
- Loose-fitted, breathable shirt
- Cotton t-shirts and tops
- Jeans
- Cute top for a night out
- Yoga pants/hiking pants
- Sweat pants
- Crew neck/hoodie
- Jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Underwear
- Sports bra
- Socks
- Swimwear
- Comfy walking shoes
- Hiking shoes
- Purses/fanny packs
- Small backpack/daypack
- Scarf
- Thermals
- PJs
- Sun hat
Toiletries
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Comb/brush
- Hair products (shampoo, conditioner, hair creams, etc..)
- Skincare products
- Sunscreen
Electronics & Miscellaneous items
- Passport (plus soft and hard copies)
- Travel documents (flight ticket, bookings, visa, etc..)
- Smartphone
- Camera
- Extra memory cards
- Chargers and power bank
- Microfiber towel
- Flip-flops
- Meds pouch
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof phone cover
Now that you know exactly what to wear in Jordan as a solo female traveler, you can stop worrying about that and start packing!
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.
SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.
This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.
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Booking a trip soon? Here are some useful travel resources:
- Book your flight with Skyscanner, Kiwi, CheapOair, or WayAway.
- Book your hostel with Hostelworld.
- Book your hotel with Booking.com or Agoda.
- Get your travel insurance with SafetyWing.
- Hire a car with Skyscanner, Discover Cars, Rentalcars, or AutoEurope.
- Book your tours with Viator or Klook.
- Download an eSIM from Airalo or Jetpac.
- Check out my trip planning tools for more travel resources.
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Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
