Can I wear shorts in Egypt? What to wear in Egypt
Men (and women) can both wear shorts in Egypt, but women may be more comfortable with their knees covered.
Many people ask, does Egypt have a dress code? What clothes should I bring? Can I wear shorts in Egypt? Let’s talk about what to wear in Egypt for men and women, the dress code in Egypt for tourists (hint: there isn’t a set Egypt dress code), and what to wear in Egypt during popular travel months (like November and December).
Want a customized itinerary for your Egypt adventure? Fill out this form, and I will get in touch within a couple days to start talking about your trip!
Note: This blog post was originally published on September 13, 2022, and was updated on August 10, 2024.
FAQs about what to wear in Egypt
Can men wear shorts in Egypt?
Absolutely! Men can wear shorts everywhere, except in churches and mosques (although these sometimes allow men with shorts inside). Most Egyptian men will not ever wear shorts, but tourists often wear them.
Can women wear shorts in Egypt?
Technically, yes, but almost no Egyptian women will ever wear shorts in public, except possibly at the beach (and maybe not even then). Female tourists can wear shorts, and I have seen lots of women on my trips wear shorts, but sometimes there is an increase in staring or a woman may feel uncomfortable, especially in places like downtown Cairo.
What do female tourists wear in Egypt?
Female tourists will attract the least attention with their knees, midriff, cleavage, and shoulders covered, so many will wear long, flowing skirts with a blouse on top, or long, loose pants with a t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt. However, I also see female tourists wearing tank tops and shorts, and bikinis when at the pool or on a Nile Cruise.
Is there an Egypt dress code?
There is no mandatory dress code in Egypt, however, what women wear in Egypt is very different from what women wear in other places, and what men wear in Egypt is more conservative than in place like the USA and Europe. That being said, there is no dress code in Egypt for tourists — just recommendations on how to better blend in, respect the culture, and draw less attention.
Do you have to wear a hijab in Egypt?
Women are not required to wear a hijab (headscarf) in Egypt, and female tourists, unless they are Muslim, are never expected to wear a hijab. Covering hair is required when women enter mosques in Egypt, but this can be done with a scarf instead of a full hijab.
What to wear in Egypt in December
Check out our blog post on the best time to visit Egypt to get an idea of what the weather will be like during your trip.
In December and all the way through March, Egypt can get quite cold, with temperatures dropping to the 50s at night, and sometimes even colder in the desert or in the northern part of the country. Travelers should definitely pack mostly warm clothes, including several sweaters, and a light coat. Scarves are a great, versatile accessory that can be used in the winter to keep warm at night or to take some of the bite off of the winter winds. There is never a need to pack a hat or gloves; in my opinion, it does not get cold enough in Egypt to warrant them. The only time these would come in handy is climbing up Mt. Sinai (Mt. Moses) at St. Catherine’s Monastery, since it gets super cold up at the top, and most travelers climb the mountain in the middle of the night — the coldest point of the day.
Winter in Egypt, even in the desert, can get cold! Even during the day in the sun, long pants and a sweater are necessary to keep from shivering for much of December-March.
In the winter, parts of Egypt, especially Alexandria, can get a lot of rain. If you know you will spend several days in Alexandria, packing a jacket that also doubles as a raincoat would be a smart choice.
What to wear in Egypt in October and November
Egypt in October and November can be hot and sunny during the day, and cooler at night. I recommend bringing clothes that can be layered, so you can easily add on or take off layers as the day goes on, and as it gets hotter and cooler. A jacket is probably not needed, but it’s a good idea to bring a warm sweater and some long pants, in addition to some cooler clothing.
If taking air-conditioned busses or trains (these can get super cold), warmer clothes really come in handy during these months where it starts getting cooler at night. And in general, the further north you go (like Alexandria), the cooler it is, and the further south (Luxor and Aswan), the hotter it is.
What to wear in Egypt in the summer
In general, no warm clothes will be necessary between May-September, as it’s hot day and night throughout Egypt. Most travelers (even women) will be wearing shorts and short-sleeved shirts, although covering up from the sun is also a good idea, so a lot of travelers will wear long-sleeved sunshirts, and long pants that provide sun protection.
What to wear in Egypt for women
What to wear in Egypt for women is a nuanced topic, with no set answer. Women used to traveling or living in countries in the USA, Europe, and many others may find dress in Egypt to be restrictive and different from what they are used to. Egyptian women, for the most part, cover every part of their body, to their neck, wrists, and ankles, however, that doesn’t mean that tourist women need to do the same.
Generally, no matter what time of year, women will be most comfortable wearing long pants or skirts/dresses and long or short sleeves with their neck and shoulders covered. Here are some examples of wardrobe choices:
Maxi dress with a cardigan over the top
Long, flowing skirt with a blouse over the top
Jeans (these can be tight) and a t-shirt (can be short-sleeved)
A rule of thumb one of my female, American friends who used to live in Cairo said: “no shoulders, no cleavage, no midriff, no knees.”
Now, this isn’t to say that a certain type of dress is required or mandatory. I see female tourists all the time at the Pyramids, walking around Khan el Khalilii, on a Nile Cruise, etc. wearing short shorts, crop tops, and all types and styles of clothing. Women on trips I have led have worn above-the-knee shorts, shirts showing belly buttons, and tank tops. Aside from lots of staring and some potential comments, I did not notice anything out of the norm happening when we were all together as a tour group. Female travelers choosing to pack and wear these clothes sometimes noted that they felt more singled out than if they were in another city where dressing less conservatively were the norm, and some of them decided to cover up more after a couple days wearing more revealing clothes. I think packing a variety of clothes, and clothes that offer layering opportunities, is the best way to ensure comfort.
And when on a Nile Cruise, at a hotel, or at a beachside resort, women should feel comfortable wearing whatever they would like. In the cities (like going out to a restaurant or to a market in Cairo) would be the places where dressing more conservatively would be best. When with a group, dressing conservatively is less of an issue; if a women is traveling in Egypt alone or going somewhere alone, it’s recommended to dress conservatively.
What do local women wear in Egypt?
Many Muslim Egyptian (Christian women do not do this, and around 10-20% of Egypt’s population is Christian) women cover their hair with a headscarf, or they wear a one-piece garment that covers everything like an abaya or a niqab, but female travelers do not need to cover their hair, except when going inside of a mosque. Some female travelers feel more comfortable covering their hair, but this is not seen as necessary in the eyes of Egyptians. Further, I have been with female friends before who have opted to cover their hair, but then are asked if they are Muslim by Egyptians, prompting some awkward conversations. Still, wearing a scarf each day is a good option, since it can be draped anywhere on the body to give more coverage, can be used to cover hair when going inside a mosque, and can help stay warm in the winter.
My friends and I met this Egyptian woman while shopping at a fish market in Damietta. Women in Egypt usually dress very conservatively, but men are not expected to do the same.
If staying in Dahab, Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, El Gouna, Marsam Alam, or any four or five star hotel/resort in any Egyptian city, foreign women are often seen wearing two piece swimsuits, and this is acceptable and expected. Egyptian women will sometimes wear either normal clothes when swimming, or a specific swimsuit that covers their hair and skin.
Resorts or beach cities frequented by tourists often have lots of female travelers in two-piece swimsuits, which is normal and accepted.
What to wear in Egypt for men
What to wear in Egypt for men is a bit easier than the recommendations for women. Egyptian men almost always wear long pants, no matter the time of year. My first time in Egypt, when I arrived in late August, I was shocked to see men walking around in jeans in 100 degree plus heat, but I got used to it after seeing them don long pants day after day, summer through winter. That being said, I wore shorts whenever I felt like it, and aside from getting strange looks sometimes, no one ever gave me any trouble or made me feel uncomfortable. Shorts are now coming in vogue with younger Egyptians, so you may see some men and boys wearing shorts in the hotter months to stay cool.
Like women, Egyptian men wear long-sleeved shirts most of the time as well, although in the summer, short sleeve dress shirts, polos, or t-shirts are also common. Men may also be seen wearing a galabeya, a traditional garment that is like a loose, flowing, long-sleeved robe. Galabeyas are most commonly seen in the southern parts of Egypt, like Luxor or Aswan. Tank tops are almost never worn by Egyptian men, even when they are working out, but tourists can be seen wearing them. When wearing shorts and a tank top, expect some looks (once an Egyptian man even asked me why I was wearing a tank top and shorts if I was not going to the gym), but no one will bother you. Do not try to go into a mosque in a tank top and shorts, though! Put on at least a shirt with sleeves.
For men, the expectation to dress a certain way is much less strict than for women. Male tourists in Egypt will feel comfortable wearing above-the-knee shorts and t-shirts every day if they would like to, and do not need to adjust clothing choices if they are alone or traveling solo. I often see male tourists wearing shorts and tank tops, especially at outdoor sites like Karnak and Luxor Temples or the Giza Pyramids.
It’s important to note that the sun in Egypt can be punishing, so sometimes I prefer to actually cover up with a sunshirt and breathable, long pants, to avoid sun exposure, even if it’s hot outside.
This photo was taken in the height of summer. Notice that even in the summer heat, all the men in this picture have long pants on, and a few even have long sleeve shirts.
When it’s time to jump in the swimming pool or the Red Sea, men are often seen in swim trunks, and many foreign men are seen in speedos. Egyptian men usually don gym shorts when going for a swim, and many will also opt to keep their t-shirts on in the water.
Best shoes to wear in Egypt
For shoes, Egyptian women often wear sandals or tennis shoes. Flip flops are worn in the home only (they are considered like a house slipper), although it’s nice for tourists to bring a pair of flip flops for walking around a Nile Cruise, the hotel, the pool, or the beach. Sometimes Egyptian women will be seen out and about in high heels, but the uneven sidewalks and walkways make getting around in heels difficult.
I recommend packing a few different pairs of shoes: some cute, open-toed shoes for airflow and comfort, some sturdy walking shoes for all the steps you will get in, and some nice shoes to wear in the evenings when you want to look chic going out to eat or exploring nightlife options.
No matter what shoes you bring, plan on them getting very dusty! Lots of the outdoor sites (the Pyramids, tombs, temples) are covered in desert sand.
I recommend the same type of shoes for men: an open-toed pair (if you have one), a pair of flip flops just for the hotel, cruise, pool, or beach, some sturdy walking shoes, and some nicer, more stylish shoes for going out in the evenings.
What not to wear in Egypt
In general, there is not a rule about what cannot be worn in Egypt, although I would recommend staying away from clothing that shows support for any LGBTQ+ topics, or Israel. Both of these are contentious subjects in Egypt.
Like my recommendations above, women have strict societal expectations about what should be worn, so heeding these and dressing more conservatively often makes a trip easier and more comfortable, but it’s not a requirement.
Once you consider the weather, and think about what is culturally accepted, packing for your Egypt trip should be easy! After your clothes are packed, check out our list of 17 things to pack for your Egypt trip that you might not have thought about.
What questions do you have about what to wear in Egypt that I didn’t answer in this post? Leave a comment and let me know!
