Egyptians are conservative and doing things like making out with your girlfriend/boyfriend in public is considered offensive, rude, or disrespectful. A public hug is less offensive, especially if greeting a spouse or family member you haven't seen in a while.
Even more importantly, taking photos of military or police personnel, buildings and vehicles is strictly forbidden in Egypt. Don't visit mosques during prayer time. Unless you are a Muslim and are going to pray, wait until the prayer is over before venturing inside.
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.
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.
Do respect the monuments archaeological sites are human heritage don't touch scratch or sit on it.
Do dress correctly whilst there is no specific dress code in the cities, women will feel more comfortable if they do not wear shorts or have their shoulders uncovered.
Most Egyptians say no racial discrimination ‘at all’ in their country despite evidence - BBC News
What to avoid eating in Egypt?
where possible, avoid eating salads and uncooked vegetables. only eat fruit they can peel. avoid unpasteurised milk, cheese and ice cream. avoid food that has been left uncovered in warm environments and exposed to flies.
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.
You can, but you might not want to. If you're in a beach resort town like Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada on the Red Sea, it's acceptable to wear shorts. It's rare to see people wearing shorts outside resort towns.
The statement is vague in many ways, but it clarifies that it criminalizes sharing photographs that could “damage the country's image.” Also avoid taking photos of the police or military, as taking anything of strategic importance could be grounds for imprisonment, even if you did not take the photo in bad faith.
Is there a dress code for female tourists in Egypt?
The dress code in Egypt for women is considered conservative by western standards and it is respectful to obey this code. For men it is not really an issue -- normal trousers and shirt or T-shirt are fine -- but in Cairo it would not be acceptable to wear short shorts or a tank tops/sleeveless tops.
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.
On closed days, people are not allowed to wander the streets. Drinking alcohol other than the licensed restaurant is not allowed. Use or trafficking of illegal drugs is a serious offence. So, be careful of what cosmetics, smokes and medicines you use.
For travelers wondering, “Can I take ibuprofen, Tylenol, and Imodium to Egypt?”: simple over-the-counter medications (medications not requiring a prescription), like vitamins, allergy medications, Advil, anti-diarrheal medications, etc., are generally allowed in Egypt in the dosage travelers will need during their trip ...
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.
Soap isn't very common either, and so carrying both toilet paper and a small bottle of hand sanitiser is a good practice to get into. It also helps to be aware that some toilets will be the 'squat' kind.
Egyptian men do not often wear shorts, but they are perfectly fine for a male tourist to wear. 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.
Crime. The crime rate is generally low, but visitors have reported armed robberies, muggings (including in taxis), sexual assaults, and break-ins to accommodation and cars. Take extra care when travelling alone, particularly at night, in taxis and microbuses.
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.
In short, no, you don't need to cover your hair as a female traveler in Egypt. As a tourist you aren't expected to wear a hijab or any other hair or facial covering in Egypt.
Just remember to cover up from your shoulders to below the knee. While women are expected to dress more conservatively than men, even the fellas should leave the short shorts and tight singlets at home. Also, avoid packing anything in white.
In summary, wear thick-soled hiking sandals, a hat, sunglasses, shorts, capris, or light-weight pants, preferably in light colors (no black, navy or dark colors that absorb the sun/heat) and pack a million long-sleeve cotton or linen shirts that are very breathable and can be rolled up when in the shady areas.
Infectious Disease Risks. In addition to being up to date on routine vaccines, travelers to Egypt should obtain hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. Detailed Egypt-specific travel advice can be found on the Egypt destination page.
There are lots of stones, rocks and other objects which you can accidently kick when you visit the pyramids in Egypt. Sandals also don't offer any support for your feet or ankles. A good pair of leather walking shoes or a pair of good quality breathable trainers are far more suitable for visiting the pyramids.
