There are cities like New York where you can walk down the street wearing whatever you want without anyone caring. Then there are places like Cairo where spaghetti strap tank tops and shorts will stand out no matter how hot it is.
I try to be respectful of local customs whenever I travel. One of the easiest ways to do that is through the clothes I wear. Egypt is a conservative Muslim-majority country where it’s customary to cover your knees and shoulders, so I made sure to pack accordingly.
I had two basic looks for my trip and a few variations within each look. For casual excursions, I opted for lightweight capri pants and colorful t-shirts from Target that I could mix and match. I packed a collection of lightweight maxi and midi dresses for just about everything else.
I left my sleeveless dresses, tank tops and shorts at home. Most other travelers appeared to do the same, but there were a few who didn’t. I’m glad I made the effort. As a travel journalist, one of my goals is to blend in. And as a traveler of color and foreign woman mostly on my own in Egypt, I stood out enough by just existing.
One thing’s for sure, nothing screams tourist in Egypt like a tank top and shorts.
Here’s how not to be that traveler.
What should I pack for Egypt?
Egypt is hot, hot, hot, so lightweight, breathable fabrics are a must. Air conditioning isn’t ubiquitous and temperatures can exceed 100 F in some areas. I was in Egypt in November. And while it might have been winter on the calendar, it felt like summer on the ground. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable exploring the pyramids would be in July.
I swapped the sleeveless dresses, tank tops and shorts I would wear at home during similar temperatures for a collection of lightweight maxi and midi dresses, two pairs of drawstring capri pants and a few tees including my all-time favorite, a versatile black tee from Unbound Merino. This top is my game-changer because it can go from casual to happy hour with an accessory or two.
Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes and flip flops or the beach. You’ll also want to bring a wide-brimmed sun hat, a pair of sunglasses and sunscreen. I brought three pairs of shoes—a pair of trail running shoes, a pair of sandals and a pair of slip-on sneakers. I didn’t miss the heels at all even though I was in Egypt for the COP27 climate conference.
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What should I wear to the pyramids?
Rule number one about visiting the pyramids is to wear comfortable shoes. And by comfortable shoes, I don’t mean those cute flat sandals. I opted for my Salomon trail running shoes, and they were perfect for this rocky, dusty, uneven terrain. If you decide to go inside the Great Pyramid, you’ll be thankful for traction on those slick floors.
I opted for these lightweight capri pants and my go-to Unbound Merino tee, a choice that worked out perfectly. I was cool and comfortable all afternoon and didn’t mind getting this quick-drying outfit dirty. A long flowing dress may have been better for Instagram, but it would have made for an uncomfortable camel ride. Jeans would have been miserable in the heat.
Do female tourists need to cover their hair?
Some, but not all, Egyptian women wear headscarves or hijabs to cover their hair. 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.
Can I wear shorts in Egypt?
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. I recall seeing exactly one couple wearing shorts in Cairo, and they were tourists.
Can I wear a bikini in Egypt?
You can. It’s not unusual to see women in bikinis at the beach or hotel pool, but this isn’t the kind of place where people don’t wander around town in their swimsuits. I spent two weeks in Sharm el-Sheikh, a beach town along the Red Sea on the Sinai Peninsula. I opted for a one-shoulder one-piece I bought in Italy pre-pandemic and a cute cover-up I picked up a few years ago at a local market in Vietnam.
*We may earn commissions when you purchase through our partner links, but that’s not our motivation for sharing them. If I’ve bought it, loved it and can’t live without it, I want to make it easy for you to do the same.
