Adopting the conservative dress code will hopefully deflect unwanted attention from the Egyptian men, which for most women is desirable. Basic clothes could include loose linen/cotton trousers or a below knee skirt and sleeved blouse. (If you're planning to ride a camel, a skirt is not a good idea.)
It's a personal choice and not something that's legally required. Tourists aren't required to or expected to cover their heads. Throw a scarf or shawl into your bag in case you find yourself visiting a mosque that does require a headscarf.
Pants, t-shirts, and long-sleeve shirts are acceptable as clothes to wear in Egypt. Avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts to fit in with local customs. Men do not need a head-covering scarf to enter mosques.
Aside from beachside resort cities, it is not recommended for female tourists to ever wear shorts in Egypt. Before traveling to Egypt for the first time, many travelers ask us what clothes to bring.
Therefore Capris would be ideal. You will find lots of Egyptians (middle class and upper middle class wearing short sleeved T-shirts). Of course you "can" wear sandals, open toe shoes etc... but I would recommend otherwise due to dust and that you will be visiting 'sandy' locations (Pyramids, temples etc...)
How to dress when visiting Egypt? (Men & Women) | What to Pack for Egypt? | What to Wear in Egypt?
Why can you not wear white in Egypt?
Also, avoid packing anything in white. While standing in front of the pyramids in an all-white linen suit makes for a great photo, the desert dust will quickly turn those light-colored clothes a not-so-delightful shade of brown.
It is religiously and culturally wrong to hold anything with your left hand because the left hand is perceived as unclean. It is offensive to expose the soles of your feet – so keep your feet on the ground and avoid crossing your legs. A thumbs up gesture and finger pointing is offensive.
A lot of visitors to Egypt tend to bring just sandals or flip-flops with them due to the hot weather, but any local will tell you that's a mistake -- you need a pair of 'closed' shoes for sure.
As a tourist you aren't expected to wear a hijab or any other hair or facial covering in Egypt. What is this? The only exception to this is if you're visiting a mosque – in that case, you do indeed need to respect the fact that you're entering a religious building and cover up.
You can wear what you would typically wear for a night out as long as it is conservative. There is no dress code per se in Egypt. Egyptian women wear the same things we do including fitted clothing like skinny jeans and leggings.
It is considered impolite to point the toe, heel or any part of the foot toward another person. Showing the sole of one's shoe is also impolite. Modest dress and presentation is highly valued in Egyptian culture. Greetings often occur before any form of social interaction.
Egypt has a moderate level of safety, however, as a solo female traveler, it's generally not recommended to walk alone at night. In tourist areas, while the risk is a bit lower, it's wise to exercise extra precaution.
But, as Egypt is an Islamic country it is to be expected. Remember, everyone is in the same boat. Wearing shorts, strappy tops, mini skirts, clothing that reveals too much flesh is a big NO. It will draw a lot of attention and, most importantly, it's seen as disrespectful to locals.
In Egypt, it is technically illegal for unmarried couples to share a hotel room, and many hotels will require couples to provide proof of marriage upon check-in. However, some hotels in Cairo may be more lenient or discreet about enforcing these laws.
As a tourist, you can wear whatever you wear at home. You won't get in trouble for showing some leg or shoulder. If you want to be decently clothed in the eyes of the Egyptians (but that's a choice, not a requirement), wear long trousers and skirts and tops that cover the arms at least to the elbow.
If you're travelling outside of winter, don't underestimate the cool change that can come in the evenings, especially if you spend the night in the desert or on a Nile cruise. A light fleece or jacket should be sufficient to keep you warm on Egypt's chillier nights.
It's technically permissible to wear shorts in Egypt, though not regarded as appropriate outside of beach areas. It seems, however, that some girls do wear shorts. even short shorts, in Egypt outside of beach areas, so perhaps you could do so, as well.
WHAT NOT TO WEAR IN EGYPT – on the streets if you don't want to be stared at. Consider leaving valuable jewelry, like cherished rings, at home if you anticipate your fingers swelling due to the heat. This precaution can help prevent accidentally leaving them behind in hotels upon departure.
Tourists are not required to follow any particular dress code to visit the pyramids in Egypt. Although many online sources say that female travellers should not wear short pants, many female tourists do, and nobody bats an eyelid. Both men and women are free to wear shorts to visit the pyramids.
In the desert, temperatures are high in the day and low in the evenings, and you'll be coming across a lot of dust and sand. This is why we recommend not wearing white if you can avoid it, as the dust will gather on your clothes.
Toilet paper - You can always buy toilet paper while there or take some from your hotel. If you're particularly worried about hygiene, also bring your travel toilet seat covers. Note - don't flush anything down the toilet in Egypt, not even toilet paper. The pipes can't handle it.
Egypt, being a predominantly Muslim country, is naturally conservative (not like the Gulf States or Saudi Arabia) but the average people are careful in what they wear. The dress code in Egypt for women is considered conservative by western standards and it is respectful to obey this code.
Table manners. Wait for the host or hostess to tell you where to sit. Eat with the right hand only. It is considered a sincere compliment to take second helpings.
In short, Americans and other visitors can rest easy: yes, Egypt is a safe country for tourists. And the rest of the world seems to agree — after years of middling numbers, tourism in Egypt is steadily rising towards its former highs, hosting over 13 million sightseers in 2023.
