What to Wear in Egypt as a Female Tourist: Outfits for Every Place

As a female tourist in Egypt, wear loose, breathable clothes that cover your shoulders and knees in cities and at historic sites, carry a light scarf to cover your hair in mosques, and keep shorts, strappy tops and swimwear for Red Sea resorts, hotel pools and boats. There is no legal dress code for visitors and you do not need to cover your hair in the street; dressing modestly simply means less attention and easier access to every site.

We give the same advice to every guest before her trip, and it comes from what our female guides and travellers tell us works. Below is a quick summary, then what to wear in each place, in each season, and what to leave at home. For a planned itinerary, see our Egypt trip packages with guides and hotels.

Egypt is a conservative country where most women, Muslim and Christian, dress modestly, especially outside the big city districts and the resorts. Foreign women are not expected to dress like Egyptians, and nobody will refuse you entry to a temple for wearing a T-shirt. But in crowded streets, markets and rural areas, clothes that cover the shoulders and knees attract fewer stares and comments, and they protect you from the sun at the same time. The UK government's travel advice gives the same message: dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and markets, and take extra care during Ramadan.

Think of it as practical rather than restrictive: the outfits that are respectful in Egypt are the same loose cotton and linen clothes that keep you coolest in the heat.

Tops

• T-shirts and blouses with short or elbow-length sleeves, in cotton or linen.
• One or two long-sleeved shirts: useful against the sun and for mosques.
• A light cardigan or kimono to throw over a sleeveless dress.

Bottoms and dresses

• Loose linen or cotton trousers, wide-leg or harem style.
• Midi or maxi skirts and dresses; they are cool and easy, and long dresses are one of the best choices for Egypt.
• Knee-length shorts or capris for the resorts and the cruise ship.
• Leggings are fine under a long top or tunic that covers the hips.

Shoes

• Comfortable trainers or walking shoes for the pyramids, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings: the ground is uneven, sandy and sometimes steep.
• Sturdy sandals with a back strap for the hottest days.
• Slip-on shoes for mosques, where you take your shoes off.
• Flip-flops for the pool and beach only; water shoes for rocky Red Sea beaches.

Accessories

• A large, light scarf or pashmina: covers your hair in a mosque, your shoulders in a church, your face in a sandstorm, and keeps you warm on a winter evening.
• A wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses.
• A crossbody bag that closes, for markets and crowded places.

Cairo is a big, busy city. In upmarket districts such as Zamalek, Maadi or New Cairo you will see Egyptian women in jeans and fitted tops; in Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili and the popular neighbourhoods, people dress more conservatively. A long skirt or loose trousers with a T-shirt works everywhere. Carry your scarf for the mosques of Islamic Cairo and the Citadel.

At the pyramids, dress for sun, dust and walking: trousers or a long skirt you can move in, closed shoes, a hat. If you plan a camel or horse ride, trousers are much more practical than a skirt. Read is it safe to visit the pyramids of Giza for more on the day itself.

Upper Egypt is hotter and more traditional than Cairo. Loose, long, light-coloured clothes in natural fabrics are the most comfortable. You will walk for hours in the sun at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple, so a hat and closed shoes matter more than anything. Inside the tombs it is warm and humid; avoid heavy layers. In Aswan's Nubian villages and souk, cover shoulders and knees out of respect for the families you visit.

For early starts, such as a balloon ride at dawn or the drive to Abu Simbel, take a warm layer between November and March: the desert mornings are cold.

• Mosques: long sleeves, a skirt or trousers to the ankle, nothing tight or see-through, and a scarf covering your hair. You remove your shoes at the entrance. Some mosques that welcome many tourists, such as the Muhammad Ali Mosque at the Citadel, lend robes to visitors, but do not count on it everywhere. Avoid visiting at prayer times, especially Friday noon.
• Coptic churches and monasteries: cover shoulders and knees. A scarf is not required for visitors in most churches but is a respectful choice during services.

Our guide to famous mosques in Cairo lists the ones open to visitors.

Hurghada, El Gouna, Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam and Dahab are much more relaxed. Inside the resort, bikinis and swimsuits are normal at the pool and beach, and shorts, sundresses and strappy tops are fine around the grounds. Put a cover-up on for the lobby and restaurants. When you leave the resort, for the old market in Sharm, downtown Hurghada or a day trip, switch back to clothes that cover shoulders and thighs. Topless sunbathing is not allowed on Egyptian beaches.

On snorkelling boats a rash vest or a T-shirt in the water protects you from sunburn on your back, which is the most common holiday injury we see.

Life on board is casual. Swimwear is fine on the sun deck and by the pool; shorts and dresses are fine on board. For temple excursions, change into modest clothes and good shoes. Dinners are relaxed, smart-casual at most; some ships hold a "galabeya party" one evening, where guests wear the traditional long Egyptian robe, which you can buy cheaply in Luxor or Aswan or on board. Evenings on deck are cool in winter, so pack a jacket. Our Nile cruise packing list has the details.

For the White Desert, Bahariya or Siwa, wear long, light layers that protect against the sun and the sand, closed shoes, a hat and a scarf you can wrap over your nose and mouth if the wind picks up. Nights in the desert are cold from November to March, often close to freezing, so a fleece, a warm jacket and a hat are essential for camping.

For month-by-month conditions see our guide to the best months to visit Egypt.

No. Outside mosques, foreign women do not cover their hair, and many Egyptian women do not either. A scarf in your bag is enough for the few places that require it.

• Shorts: fine at resorts, on boats and on the cruise ship. In cities and at sites, knee-length shorts are acceptable but draw attention; long trousers or a skirt are more comfortable in the sun anyway.
• Dresses: yes, and long loose dresses are among the best choices. Add a cardigan or scarf if the dress is sleeveless.
• Leggings: yes, with a long top that covers the hips.
• Jeans: fine, but heavy and hot in summer.

• Very short shorts or skirts, crop tops and low-cut tops outside resorts.
• See-through fabrics: strong sunlight makes thin white cotton transparent.
• Swimwear anywhere off the beach, pool or boat.
• High heels at historic sites, and flip-flops for long walks.
• Expensive jewellery: leave it at home or in the safe.
• Clothes with military patterns or slogans that could be read as political or religious statements.

During Ramadan, dress a little more conservatively than usual in public, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in the street during daylight, and expect shorter opening hours. Read is Ramadan a good time to visit Egypt before booking.

• Most visits pass without problems, but unwanted comments happen, especially in crowded places. Ignoring them and walking on is usually the best response.
• Travelling with a guide or a driver from a known company removes most hassle at sites and markets.
• In taxis alone at night, use a ride-hailing app and share your trip details with someone.
• Do not let hotel staff into your room when you are alone, and report any problem to the hotel management or the tourist police, number 126.

Our article on travelling in Egypt as a solo traveller has more advice, and the Egypt packing list covers everything beyond clothes.

On our private tours a guide and a driver are with you at every site, so you can dress for comfort without worrying about where to change or how to handle attention. Our classic Egypt tours combine Cairo, the Nile and Abu Simbel, and the 8 days Pyramids and the Nile by air is the itinerary we recommend for a first visit.

Is there a dress code for female tourists in Egypt?

No legal one. Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is advised in cities and at sites, a headscarf is needed only in mosques, and swimwear is fine at resorts and pools.

Can I wear shorts in Egypt as a woman?

Yes at Red Sea resorts, on boats and by the pool. In Cairo, Luxor and Aswan loose trousers or a long skirt are more comfortable and attract less attention.

What should I wear to the pyramids?

Loose trousers or a long skirt, a top with sleeves, closed shoes, a hat and sunglasses; a warm layer in winter.

What fabrics are best for Egypt?

Cotton and linen. They breathe in the heat and dry quickly; avoid heavy synthetics.