You've booked the flights and mapped out the sights. Then you read the visitor page: shoulders must be covered. Many of the world's most-visited places are also active houses of worship, and each sets its own dress rules. The rules overlap, but important differences can catch travelers by surprise. Check the requirements before you pack.

The principles that hold almost everywhere

• Cover your shoulders. This is required at many of the sites on this list.
• Cover your knees, and sometimes more. Below the knee works at many sites. Some ask for ankle length.
• Head coverings vary. Some sites require women to cover their hair, some require everyone to cover their heads, and some ask visitors to take hats off.
• Expect to remove your shoes at many temples, mosques and gurdwaras.
• Fabric counts too. Several sites specifically rule out sheer or tight clothing, so "covered" means opaque and comfortably loose.
• Check ahead. The U.S. State Department notes that some destinations have different expectations about women's clothing and appearance, and suggests reading the "Local Laws and Customs" section of each destination's travel guidance. Site rules change, so look at the official visitor page shortly before you go.

Seven places, seven sets of rules

The Western Wall, Jerusalem

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation's guidelines for behavior ask visitors to "dress appropriately." On the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, they also ask visitors not to use electronic devices, take pictures or write. Because the official page doesn't spell out a garment list, covered shoulders and knees make a sensible baseline. If you arrive less covered than you planned, help is at the entrance to the prayer area: Frommer's notes that men can take a free head covering from a box there, and women can borrow shawls and skirt coverings. They're loaners, so return them on your way out.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

St. Peter's is specific. Its visitor page calls for long or below-knee trousers, skirts below the knee, and covered shoulders for all visitors. Its rules add that excessively short clothing, sleeveless tops and hats aren't allowed inside. There's currently no cloakroom inside, so bring a small bag.

For contrast, Barcelona's Sagrada Família asks for no see-through clothing, trousers and skirts at least to mid-thigh, and no swimwear. Hats aren't allowed in the nave or museum except for religious, health or belief-related reasons. Two famous Catholic churches, two different standards.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

Its official visitor regulations ask women to wear loose-fitting clothing to the ankles with sleeves to the wrists, cover their hair fully, and avoid transparent, tight or revealing clothing. All visitors are asked to skip excessive jewelry, heavy makeup, vibrant colors and clothing with slogans. Men are asked to avoid sleeveless, tight or transparent shirts, and clothing that covers the whole leg is preferred. The Centre asks visitors to book in advance, and its official FAQ currently lists admission at AED 10 for visitors from outside the UAE (AED 5 for Emirates ID holders). Photos are allowed only at designated photo stops.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok

The Grand Palace's practical information page lists what not to wear: sleeveless shirts, see-through tops, short pants, torn or tight pants, bike pants and mini skirts, among other items. The Thai-language version adds a detail worth knowing: a shawl draped over a sleeveless top doesn't count, and neither do capri-length pants or leggings. Plan on real sleeves, not a wrap.

The Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib), Amritsar

The Amritsar district administration's visitor information says visitors must remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering. This applies to everyone, not only women. A scarf big enough to tie securely stays put best.

Angkor, Cambodia

Angkor's official Visitor Code of Conduct says revealing clothes, "such as shorts and skirts above the knees and showing bare shoulders," are prohibited in sacred places. It also discourages high heels inside the temples, so pack walking shoes along with your longer skirt.

BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, Robbinsville, New Jersey

No passport needed: this Hindu mandir's visitor page rules out sleeveless or low-cut tops, shorts, skirts or dresses above the knee, and clothing that reveals the shoulders, chest, back or knees. Footwear isn't allowed inside the Mahamandir.

What to pack: a simple covering kit

A few items in your day bag can help you meet different requirements without changing your whole outfit:

• A large, lightweight scarf or shawl. It covers hair at sites that require it and adds a layer when it's cool. (Remember Bangkok: a shawl over a sleeveless top isn't enough there. At the Western Wall you may be able to borrow one, but your own is still handy everywhere else.)
• A sleeved layer. Bring a cardigan or sleeved top. Three-quarter-length sleeve extenders may help where that coverage is accepted, but Abu Dhabi requires sleeves to the wrists.
• A skirt or pants past the knee. For sites requiring ankle coverage, pack an ankle-length option. Check fit and fabric as well as length.
• Shoes that slip off easily, plus a small bag to carry them in.
• Opaque fabrics. If you can see through it in the sun, assume the gate staff can too.

Being a considerate visitor

Clothing is one part of it. Lower your voice, silence your phone, and follow staff instructions. Pay attention to photography rules, which vary just as much as dress codes: designated photo stops in Abu Dhabi, and no photos at the Western Wall on the Sabbath and holidays. People are praying in many of these places; you're a guest in their space.

Before you go

If you already wear modest basics, much of your travel wardrobe may be ready to go. Kosher Casual's long-sleeve layering top and Sleevies® sleeve extenders offer options for adding coverage where a site's rules allow. Check each destination's requirements—especially where wrist-length sleeves, ankle coverage or a head covering is required.

Before your next trip, list the religious sites on your itinerary and check their official visitor pages shortly before departure. Pack for the strictest requirement, and leave room for local instructions when you arrive.

Sources and Further Reading

• U.S. Department of State, "Women Travelers" (Understand local customs and norms): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/women-travelers.html
• Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Guidelines for Behavior at the Western Wall: https://english.thekotel.org/guidelines-for-behavior-at-the-western-wall-2/
• Frommer's, The Western Wall in Jerusalem: https://www.frommers.com/destinations/jerusalem/things-to-do/the-western-wall/
• St. Peter's Basilica, Visits (dress policy): https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/en/visits
• St. Peter's Basilica, Rules for the common good: https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/en/rules-for-the-common-good
• Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Rules and regulations: https://sagradafamilia.org/en/web/guest/rules-and-regulations
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, Mosque Manners (visitor regulations): https://www.szgmc.gov.ae/en/worshippers/en-w-mosque-manners
• The Grand Palace, Practical Information (English): https://www.royalgrandpalace.th/en/visit/practical-information
• The Grand Palace, Practical Information (Thai): https://www.royalgrandpalace.th/th/visit/practical-information
• District Administration Amritsar, Government of Punjab, Places of Interest: https://amritsar.nic.in/places-of-interest/
• Angkor Enterprise, Angkor Visitor Code of Conduct: https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/en/visitor-code-of-conduct
• BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham (Robbinsville, NJ), Visit: https://usa.akshardham.org/visit