Discover what women should wear in Syria, from city streets to mosques, beaches, and rural areas.

Practical, modest, and travel-friendly tips.

Introduction to What to wear as a woman in Syria
Quick Answer: What should I wear as a woman in Syria
Dress Expectations in Everyday Syria
What Local Women Wear
Regional Clothing Tips
What Clothing to Pack for Syria
Shopping for Clothing in Syria
Final Tips for Dressing in Syria

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Introduction to What to wear as a woman in Syria

Packing for Syria can be tricky. Not least because the temperature changes vastly throughout the year - but as a woman visiting Syria you have to pay a bit of extra attention.

In Syria, clothing choices matter. Its deep traditions, conservative values, and diverse climates all contribute to this. 

If you are wondering what women should wear in Syria, this guide covers everything you might need. What to wear in Damascus and Aleppo, what to pack for religious sites, what is suitable for the desert or coast, and how to balance comfort with respect for local customs.

Although there are a few things to think about, Syria is often considered one of the most liberal countries in the region, besides Lebanon. Things you couldn’t wear in nearby Afghanistan or neighbouring Iraq you could wear in almost every area of Syria.

But within its borders, there are a few important distinctions, too.

As always, I’m writing this guide from the perspective of a foreign traveller visiting Syria. My aim is always to go overboard in terms of respecting local norms and customs, blend in rather than stick out.

So, that’s what this Syria clothing guide is based on.

Let’s take a closer look at what you should wear as a woman in Syria!

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Quick Answer: What should I wear as a woman in Syria

There’s really no quick answer here since regions vary quite a bit. But, you can’t go wrong anywhere really with the following in your suitcase.

• Loose, modest outfits that cover shoulders, chest, and knees.
• Scarf - required when entering mosques and shrines.
• Trousers, maxi skirts, and tunic-style tops work everywhere.
• Seasonal layers: breathable cotton for summer, warm coats for winter.

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Dress Expectations in Everyday Syria

Overall, colours are fine. And if in doubt, cover your shoulders, chest, and knees. Cover up to wrists and ankles if you want to be extra sure.

And you should be just fine.

Cities: Damascus and Aleppo

In the main cities, you will see a range of styles, from modern jeans with tunics to full abayas.

As a visitor, you will feel most at ease in.

• Long trousers or skirts with loose tops.
• Tunic-length blouses or maxi dresses with sleeves.
• A light scarf kept in your bag for mosque visits.

Towns and Rural Villages

Outside the cities, people tend to dress more conservatively. Women often wear abayas, jilbabs, or long dresses with a hijab. You can match this by choosing more conservative clothing.

• Full-length trousers or skirts.
• Long-sleeved shirts or cardigans.
• A scarf draped loosely over the hair or neck.

Religious Sites and Holy Places

• Mosques and shrines - Hair, arms, and legs must be covered. Many shrines provide black cloaks if required.
• Churches and monasteries - Cover shoulders and knees, and carry a scarf.
• Shared holy sites - At places such as Sayyida Zaynab Mosque, women are given a full covering to wear.

Seasonal Clothing in Syria

Syria’s climate shifts dramatically across seasons and regions:

• Spring (Mar–May): Light cotton, tunics, and a cardigan for cool evenings.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Loose, breathable clothes, wide-brim hats, and sunglasses. The desert regions can be extremely hot.
• Autumn (Sep–Nov): Comfortable layers with long sleeves for fluctuating temperatures.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Cold in Damascus, Aleppo, and mountain towns. Bring a coat, jumper, and boots.

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What Local Women Wear

• Hijab with jeans or trousers: Very common in cities.
• Abaya or jilbab: Loose long garments, especially in more traditional areas.
• Niqaab: Less common than in Gulf states but still present in some conservative neighbourhoods. You won’t ever be expected to wear one yourself.
• No headscarf: Some Christian and secular Muslim women, particularly in Lattakia and modern parts of Damascus, go without.

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Regional Clothing Tips

Damascus

Damascus and big cities are generally fairly liberal. You can wear (long-ish) shorts here and show your shoulders and chest. In fact, you’ll see many locals doing this. Although it is less common to see women wear shorts.

Around Old Damascus and the Umayyad Mosque it is a little more conservative but you can dress comfortably.

When visiting the Umayyad Mosque you must dress conservatively. You can borrow an abaya from nearby the mosque and it comes with a head covering, too.

Aleppo

Similar to Damascus - more conservative around religious sites, with more flexibility in modern areas.

Palmyra and the Desert

Expect intense sun.

Wear long sleeves and trousers in light cotton or linen, a scarf or hat for dust protection, and sturdy sandals or trainers.

It’s really hot here, especially in summer months.

Maaloula and Christian Towns

Maaloula and other Christian towns are fairly liberal in their dress. You may see younger women wearing a short crop top and very short shorts, even. Especially for festivities and parties, women like to get very dressed up.

Nevertheless, I wouldn’t recommend this when considering what to wear as a woman in Syria unless you’re sure of the local area - and won’t be moving around multiple cities in the day.

In monasteries and churches, modest dress is required. Shoulders and knees covered is usually enough.

Some of the churches will have a shawl you can use to cover your hair and knees/shoulders if needed/if they require.

Lattakia and the Coast

Slightly more relaxed atmosphere, but public beaches remain conservative.

Modest swimsuits, swim leggings, or covering dresses are more suitable than bikinis, unless at a private resort or hotel pool.

Idlib

Idlib is one of the more conservative areas you would visit in Syria. It has previously been closed off to tourism and foreign visitors for the past few years and has a heavy muslim majority.

Going the extra mile here to cover up especially with a headscarf would be welcomed by locals.

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What Clothing to Pack for Syria

Below is a very rough plan for a clothing packing list for Syria based on the above guide on what to wear as a woman in Syria.

Core Outfits

• Loose trousers or maxi skirts.
• Long tunics, blouses, or maxi dresses with sleeves.
• Lightweight scarves for coverage and style.

Extras

• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen for summer.
• Coat, jumper, and warm socks for winter.
• Socks for mosque visits.

Beach and Desert Wear

• Modest swimsuit or swim leggings.
• Light scarf for dust and sun protection.

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Shopping for Clothing in Syria

Shopping local is the best way to support an economy and my rule of thumb generally speaking - if you can buy it in the country, logic dictates that you should be able to wear it in the country..!

Markets and boutiques are excellent for picking up modest yet stylish pieces.

• Souk al-Hamidiyah (Damascus): Traditional dresses, abayas, scarves, and fabrics.
• Aleppo markets: Tailors can create a custom tunic or dress from beautiful local textiles.
• Modern malls: Offer contemporary modest wear, similar to what local women wear daily.

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Final Tips for Dressing in Syria

• Always keep a scarf in your bag.
• Choose loose clothing to stay cooler in summer.
• Neutral or dark colours are common, though colourful scarves are widely accepted.
• Dressing respectfully helps you feel more comfortable and welcomed.

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