What to pack for Dubai, UAE

Are you heading to Dubai soon and are wondering what to pack for Dubai? Well, as someone who just returned and soon heading back to Dubai, I thought I share what I packed and additional items I shall be taking with me on the upcoming trip. One important thing to remember is that, whilst Dubai is the more relaxed city in the Middle East, it is a Muslim country and there are certain dos and do nots to observe.

Having visited the Middle East a couple of times, I would like to think I am familiar with the majority of the requirements when it comes to dress code but please always check before travelling. What to pack for Dubai depends on whom you are travelling with (e.g. kids) and when you are travelling. I have travelled alone, as a couple and in groups so I am pulling my experience from all these trips.

What to Pack for Dubai, UAE

As a frequent traveller, I make it a point to read about the culture of the place I am visiting. Is there anything that I am not allowed to do e.g. wearing mini-skirts and shorts plus exposed shoulders is not allowed in most temples I visited when I went to Thailand. So as part of my due diligence, I check all these things in advance so I don’t have to spend money unnecessarily.

In this post, I am going to focus on what to pack for Dubai, UAE and what items you should ensure you take with you as this will not only save you money but allow you to enter all the spaces you want to visit. I have broken the essentials items into three baskets.

Fashion

• Maxi dress or Skirt – as mentioned, whilst Dubai is relaxed in attire, there are still places you will need to wear more conservative clothing so I recommend packing a couple of maxi clothing.
• Shorts – whilst might seem contradictory but shorts are a must. The Dubai desert heat will not allow you to be great in denim trousers and the like. Pack a couple of shorts and they can act as your swimwear cover.
• Swimwear and cover – even if like me you are not a swimmer nor great at it, you will need a swimwear of sorts. Also a sweat wear cover is a must, you are not allowed to leave the beach area without covering up hence why I recommend shorts above as they can help you cover up the bottom and a nice scarf for the top half.
• Sunglasses – need I say more but in case I need to, just know your eyes will thank you.
• Hat – another very essential one, my scalp died the first time and now I always protect it.
• Scarf – another very essential item to have, on more than one occasion I have fallen into the tourist trap so bring your own.

Beauty

• Sunscreen – pre and post sun exposure sunscreen is required because your skin will thank you for it.
• Deodorant – I don’t think I need to mention the importance of this as you will be sweating buckets whilst there so definitely take a bigger bottle.
• Wipes – like deodorant you will find yourself needing to use wipes a lot and if they are deodorant wipes the better.
• Hydrating lotions – again, Dubai is in a desert so you will need moisturisers that are hydrating as you will be losing a lot of water through sweating.

Miscellaneous

• Power bank – this is a must for every travel destination I venture to.
• Water bottle – we found water to be most expensive in Dubai than our Uber rides, think £5 for Uber, £12 for 2 litre bottle of water so I had my water bottle and filled up at the hotel.
• Beach bag – another very essential item to take with you, during all my visits to Dubai, I did spend way more time at the beach than anywhere else so recommend a beach bag, towel and the like for your visit.
• Phone protector – if you phone is not water proof I suggest you pack a phone protector (waterproof) so you can take as many pictures and create as many memories in and out of water.
• Mini fan – something that I am taking with me on my next visit as I couldn’t get enough breeze go battle the warm air.

I hope you find this post on what to pack for Dubai useful, there are so many things I can include but these are the essentials that I highly recommend you consider taking with you on your next trip to Dubai. What other items would you include?