Wondering what to wear in Egypt? Packing for a trip to Egypt can be challenging, especially for female travellers. This guide covers everything you need to know about the dress code, what to wear and the climate in Egypt so you can stay comfortable, respectful and stylish on your holiday.

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 wonder of 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 to Egypt as a female traveller can be tricky. Read on for my advice on what to pack for Egypt as a female traveller:

🐪 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

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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, for comfort, safety and cultural sensitivity.

I’ve broken down below they key considerations you’ll need to think about when planning what to wear to Egypt as a female traveller. 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 cooler 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 in general when visiting Egypt as there is no legal requirement to wear one. 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.

A scarf can be a welcome protection from the scorching sun so I’d recommend bringing one anyway. Likewise you won’t need one for walking around the cities, but you’re welcome to wear one and you may feel more comfortable doing so. 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: Cairo and the bigger cities are more modern, but if you visit more rural areas you may wish to cover up more.

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.

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.

What to Wear in Egypt as a Female Traveller: Packing List

• Warm jumper for evenings / travel days
• 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

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 – perfect 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.

Clothes that show your midriff

In some cultures exposing your midriff is acceptable, but in Egypt this is considered too revealing. A small amount of midriff is fine at the big tourist sites, but as always make sure you have a shirt with you to cover up when needed.

Group Tours in Egypt

Explore the rich history of Egypt with G Adventures – from majestic pyramids and ancient temples to the serene Nile River and dramatic landscapes. These small group tours are perfect for travellers who want to uncover the stories of the pharaohs and connect with a rich culture.

Egypt: Pyramids, Temples & the Nile

View Tour

Highlights of Egypt

View Tour

Jordan to Egypt: Wadi Rum Camping & Dead Sea Floating

View Tour

Call of the World is proud to promote G Adventures: recognised for their “G for Good” ethos, ChildSafe certification for robust child-welfare protections, leadership in sustainable travel & climate action and ethical partnerships with community projects worldwide.

Plan Your Trip to Egypt: Useful Travel Resources

Planning your next trip? These are my ride-or-die travel tools — handpicked, tested, and essential. The smart stuff I actually use to book fast, travel safer, and stress less. I don’t gatekeep when it comes to travel!

✈️ Pro tip: Set these up before your trip so you can hit the ground running. Travel smarter, not harder.

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