What to Wear in Egypt: A Practical Guide for Women (and Men Too!)
When it comes to packing for your trip to Egypt it can be quite confusing—especially as a woman.
You may have heard stories from others or read online about what to dress and what not and are now more confused than ever? You’re asking yourself what women should wear in Egypt? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you out!
As a European woman married to an Egyptian man, I travel to Egypt every year and have been there countless times over the past decade. I’ve experienced all kinds of situations there and I learned that what you wear really does matter in some situations.
There are several things to consider: staying cool in the heat, but also feeling comfortable and in the same time respectful and safe.
In this guide, I’ll share my personal tips for what to wear in Egypt as a female traveler, what to pack (and what to leave at home), and a little bit about what men should know too 😉.
Whether you’re planning to explore ancient temples, relax at the Red Sea, or stroll through Cairo—you’ll find practical advice that helps you feel confident and prepared.
For the local women in Egypt you’ll find a wide range of clothing due to their personal preferences. Especially in the more modern parts (like New Cairo) it’s really more like in western countries – everyone will dress as they like. You will find girls in shorts, women with hijab but also women in burqa or niqab.
As you see: there is not just ONE dress code for Egypt.
However, as a tourist coming to visit this country, here’s what we’d recommend.
Do Women Need to Cover Their Hair in Egypt?
No, not unless you’re entering a mosque. But it’s handy to carry a scarf in your bag, just in case (why? – read more below).
What Should Women Wear in Egyptian Cities?
1. Modesty Matters (But It’s Not as Strict as You Think)
While you don’t need to cover yourself from head to toe, you will feel more comfortable if you dress modestly—especially in cities or in the countryside. Think:
- Covered shoulders and knees
- More loose-fitting clothing
- Avoiding too much cleavage or belly-baring outfits (unless you want to join the beautiful egyptian bellydancers😉)
You’ll still see local women wearing skinny jeans and short clothes, but it’s best to keep your outfits relatively low-key to avoid unwanted attention. As you may travel through the city and pass by different sites during your day, it will be best to choose something that is applicable everywhere.
So, what’s best? Layers!
You can for example wear a loose pant and a T-Shirt and bring a blouse or jeans jacket along (can be also useful in the evenings – from Oktober – April the evenings can get a little cold especially from December – February).
Read more about when is the best time to travel to Egypt here.
PRO TIP: Always bring a scarf – when you have a scarf as a back-up almost nothing can go wrong. 😉
You can use it to protect yourself from the sun, in the evenings if it gets a little cold, in the desert to stay protected from the dust and for sure if you want to visit a mosque.
2. Essential Clothing Items for Women
Here’s what I always pack:
- Light, breathable tops, T-shirts and blouses (linen or cotton are perfect)
- Long skirts and loose pants
- A light scarf – this is your best friend! Great for:
- Covering your hair in mosques
- Shielding from sun and dust
- Blending in more easily in conservative areas
- Maxi dresses (with sleeves or paired with a scarf or jacket)
- Comfortable shoes – walking-friendly sandals or sneakers
- Swimwear – totally fine at beach resorts, but bring a cover-up too
💡 Anni’s tip: Egyptian women LOVE fashion and color. You don’t have to wear only plain black or beige clothes to blend in.
Visiting Mosques & Religious Sites
To enter a mosque:
- Women should cover their hair, arms, and legs
- Men should wear long pants and shirts with sleeves
Some mosques provide shawls or robes at the entrance—but don’t count on it (better be prepared cause most likely these robes will not be the most nicest piece of fabric to wear to be honest – speaking from experience…).
It also depends a little on the mosque you visit. Some may look more critical on what you wear and some won’t.
We don’t recommend to wear something with a slim fit like skinny jeans or leggings. A long dress / skirt or loose pants are perfect. Make sure to wear at least a t-shirt or dress that will cover your shoulders. The rest can be also covered up with a scarf. Personally I would wear a loose blouse over my t-shirt so I don’t have to put my scarf all over me.
Since most likely you will visit more places than only a mosque during the day – keep the layers in mind 😉.
What Should Men Wear in Egypt?
Guys have it easier—but there are still some things to keep in mind:
- Shorts are okay but less common (unless red sea area)
- T-shirts and linen shirts are perfect
- Avoid going shirtless unless you’re at the pool or beach
- At mosques, wear long pants if possible and avoid tank tops
💡 Hoss’s tip: If you’re not sure what’s appropriate, go for simple and neat. You’ll never go wrong with a clean shirt and pants or jeans.
Nice to know: A traditional dress for men in Egypt is the Galabeya. You will see men wearing them all over Egypt. It’s a long one-piece robe with a very loose fit and usually long arms.
Very breathable and comfy – if you’re interested to buy one at the local marktes: this outfit is accepted everywhere 😉.
Beachwear & Resort Areas
At Red Sea resorts (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam), you can wear:
- Bikinis
- Shorts
- Crop tops
- Whatever you like
Nobody will look twice. But if you leave the resort for a day trip or go into town, switch to something a bit more modest than a bikini 😉.
If you’re a fan of snorkeling (like Anni) and have sensitive and really bright skin that gets burned super quick (like Anni 😅) you may want to think about swimwear that will cover your back.
Believe me… you can put as much suncream as you like… after an hour of snorkeling you may look like a lighthouse (white with red stripes).
We also recommend to bring some swim shoes to enter the water with them. The ground can have sharp rocks or corals that can injure your feet quickly. These shoes are very common and can also be bought in almost every town or resort in the red sea area.
What NOT to Wear (away from pool and beach)
Avoid:
- Spaghetti straps or strapless tops (unless covered with a cardigan or scarf)
- Super super short shorts
- Sheer or see-through clothing
- Very tight clothes (especially leggings worn alone)
Even though Egypt’s weather is quite hot, it’s worth covering up a little more—it’s about both respect and comfort (and also to avoid sunburn).
What About Winter?
From November until March it will get more colder in Egypt.
In Cairo it will be best to bring long pants and pullovers / sweatshirts. Especially in the evenings you may need a jacket, depends on how quickly you get cold.
If you’re freezing easily better bring a light winter jacket and winter scarf. A head can also be a good idea, especially in December / January. You want to know more about when to travel to Egypt? Read our blogpost here.
For the red sea this won’t be needed, but a jacket and some pullovers for the evening are a good choice.
Here are Our Final Packing Tips:
- Pack layers – temperatures can drop in the evening, even in the desert
- Take your scarf with you
- Best material for clothes: linen and cotton
- Bring a hat and sunglasses
- Don’t forget bug spray, especially for Upper Egypt (which is in the south) around the Nile River and the Red Sea. Mosquitos are all around, so be prepared. You can also find these sprays in local pharmacies. I always go for the “OFF” spray there – works perfect! Btw. Pharmacies are not only for medicine but also have drug store products.
Final Thoughts from Anni
Every time I return to Egypt, I’m feeling how dressing thoughtfully not only shows respect for local culture—but also makes me feel more at ease.
Dressing “appropriately” isn’t about hiding who you are. It’s about understanding the local culture and be respectful because you’re a guest in this country.
You don’t need to change who you are or hide your personal style – just adapt a little. With a few changes, you can stay true to yourself and travel with confidence.
Questions?
Still unsure what to pack or want our opinion on that one dress you want to wear? Drop your questions in the comments—we’d love to help you plan your look for your Egyptian adventure.
