Wondering what to wear in Egypt? Packing for a trip to Egypt can be challenging, especially for women. This guide covers everything you need to know about what to wear, the dress code and the climate in Egypt so you can stay comfortable, respectful and stylish on your holiday.
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What to Wear in Egypt as a Female Traveller
So you’ve booked a trip to Egypt to marvel at the wonders of the ancient world, see the city sights of Cairo, experience the warm hospitality of colourful Nubian villages, marvel at the desert temple Abu Simbel and swim in the Red Sea with dolphins.
But what should you wear when visiting Egypt? Especially as a woman, deciding what to wear in Egypt can be tricky. Read on for my advice on what to pack for your Egypt holiday, covering cultural respect, weather and comfort.
Planning your trip? Read my guides to:
- 10 Day Egypt Itinerary: How to Spend 10 Days in Egypt: Epic Itinerary
- Cairo City Guide: How to Spend 2 Days in Cairo, Egypt: Your 48 Hour Cairo Itinerary
- Abu Simbel: Why Abu Simbel Is Worth the Trip: A Guide to Egypt’s Most Dramatic Temple
Remember to get travel insurance for your trip. Call of the World readers receive a 5% discount on Heymondo travel insurance.
How to Pack for a Trip to Egypt
I visited Egypt in October as part of a group tour. We were mostly women, and it was important for us to find out what to wear when visiting Egypt in order to be respectful, stay safe and also be comfortable in the hot sun (yes October is still hot!). Packing can be challenging at the best of times, but as we were spending 10 days in Egypt travelling to different parts of the country, I did not want to overpack.
I’ve split this post into everything you’ll need to think about when planning what to wear in Egypt, for comfort, safety and cultural sensitivity. I’ve also included a packing list below.
The Climate in Egypt
Weather and the best time to go to Egypt
The weather in Egypt varies from hot to very hot. This makes it a great destination to visit during winter in the northern hemisphere, but I’d advise against visiting in summer!
- High Season (December – February): Warm during the day but cool in the evenings and at nighttime.
- Shoulder Season (October/November, March/April): Very hot during the daytime but still cooler in the evenings and at night. Best to plan activities for the early mornings and evenings.
- Low Season (May – September): Horribly hot, best avoided.
Does it ever get cold in Egypt?
Egypt is hot all year round. But it can get cold after dark, especially if you’re on a Nile cruise. I recommend packing a long sleeved shirt as a cover up and also a light jacket or jumper just for the evenings. It’s also nice to have a cosy jumper for travel days as sometimes they crank the AC up on buses and planes.
What to wear in Egypt: Be Comfortable and Cool
If you’re going to be visiting the pyramids, exploring ancient temple complexes and cruising down the Nile on a felucca boat, then I definitely recommend prioritising comfort. In addition, no matter what time of year you visit Egypt, it’s going to be hot. Loose layers are your friend. Think long loose trousers, t-shirts and a loose shirt as a cover up.
Cultural Sensitivity and Respect in Egypt
Do I Need a Headscarf to Visit Egypt?
- Mosques: It is recommended to wear a headscarf as a sign of respect when visiting mosques such as the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo. Some mosques are more strict than others and may refuse you entry without a headscarf.
- In General: You do not need to wear a headscarf when visiting Egypt, and you’ll see that some locals do and some don’t. It can vary a lot depending on the area, for example Cairo is more relaxed but rural areas can be more conservative. There is no legal requirement to wear a headscarf in Egypt. You may wear one if you choose to.
- Ancient Egyptian Sites: There is no cultural expectation to wear a headscarf at the Ancient Egyptian sites as these are not Islamic sites.
- Sun Protection: A scarf can be a welcome protection from the scorching sun so I’d recommend bringing one anyway. Also, although you don’t need to wear one for walking around the cities, you may feel more comfortable doing so in some areas. I prefer to always have a scarf in my bag.
Do I Need to Fully Cover up When Visiting Egypt?
Egypt is moderately conservative but you do not need to be obsessive about making sure you are completely covered. How much you need to cover up will depend where you are:
- Everyday/non-tourist areas: Cairo and the bigger cities are more modern, but if you visit more rural areas you may wish to cover up more. As a general minimum definitely make sure you’re covered to the elbow and to the knee, but I’d say longer trousers and ankle length skirts are the most comfortable option in most areas.
- Tourist Areas: At Ancient Egyptian tourist sites such as the pyramids and Abu Simbel you can be pretty relaxed (although long-layers are still recommended against the sun!). In touristy hotels you can wear what you like and at the Red Sea resorts swimwear (including bikinis) is fine.
- Islamic Sites: If you visit a mosque you will need a scarf and you’ll need to cover your arms and legs.
If you are a solo female traveller rather than with a group I recommend covering up more to help avoid any unwanted attention.
Tip: Even in more touristy areas I always carry a loose long-sleeved shirt and a scarf in my bag so that I can quickly cover up if needed.
Egypt Packing List
- Warm jumper for evenings/travel days (to protect against excessively strong AC)
- Long sleeved shirt to cover up/protect against the sun
- Shawl or scarf for headscarf/cover up
- Long loose trousers
- Mid-long loose skirts/dresses
- Comfy t-shirts
- Comfy sandals that are easy to take off
- Swimwear for resorts and the Red Sea (2-piece bikinis are fine)
- Hat to protect against the sun
- High-SPF Sun Cream
- High-SPF Lip Balm (the air is dry and your lips can get burnt)
- Sunglasses
The best fabrics for Egypt
I recommend natural fabrics like cotton and linen as these are best in the heat.
Are there any colours I should avoid?
Most colours are fine but be aware that if you wear all-white the desert dust can make this dirty very quickly! Also, in some rural areas wearing all-white is associated with mourning. In Egypt in general, white is seen as a ceremonial colour, so wearing it can draw attention.
What NOT to Wear in Egypt
Egypt is a predominately Muslim country. It is moderately conservative, so although you don’t necessarily need to be covered head-to-toe, it’s still best to dress modestly and be respectful to local culture and traditions.
Here are a few items that I would not recommend packing for a trip to Egypt. Leave these ones at home:
Shorts and mini-skirts
Wearing shorts or mini-skirts will make you stand out immediately as a tourist and you will not feel comfortable. The only places these are sometimes acceptable is at the resorts along the Red Sea such as Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheik.
Tight-fitting clothes
Tight-fitting clothes will draw unwanted attention, and they’ll also be super uncomfortable and sweaty in the Egyptian climate. The exception is wearing leggings underneath a skirt for extra modesty (not necessary, but you may choose to do this depending on your own preferences), just make sure to choose a moisture-wicking fabric for comfort in the heat.
Expensive jewellery
Don’t pack anything that you’d be upset about losing (this is the same advice I’d give people travelling anywhere in the world!) and I’d advise against drawing attention to yourself. The tourist sites can be very crowded and a perfect opportunity for thieves and pickpockets (this is not Egypt-specific, we have the same problem in London!).
Transparent or revealing clothing
Remember that the sun is very bright and strong in Egypt, so even long dresses and skirts may be too revealing if you’re lit up from behind, so pick your fabrics wisely.
Unless you’re inside your hotel or at a red sea resort, I’d advise against low-cut tops or revealing clothing. Bare shoulders are fine at the Ancient Egyptian sites, but make sure you have a shirt or scarf in your bag to cover up when needed.