If you’re planning your first trip to Egypt, here’s what to wear, what to avoid, and how to stay cool and comfortable.
Over the years it appears to be more acceptable for female tourists to wear skimpy or revealing clothing – off the shoulder tops, T-shirts revealing your tummy, or shorts in the streets. However, women travelers should be aware that showing your cleavage and lots of leg may be seen as overly bold or attracting unwanted attention by local standards. Sorry to have to say this, but it is because such clothing contrasts strongly with local norms of modesty.
What clothing should I bring to Egypt for comfortable wear?
- For men and women, lightweight clothing that you can layer is best. Then you can dress up or down according to the weather. Due to the heat, most tourists dress casually day and night.
- Lightweight pants and long skirts for ladies – try to avoid clothing that will make you feel sticky and uncomfortable. Jeans can become very hot and sweaty.
- Tops and/or blouses that cover your shoulders and do not show cleavage. Exposing upper and lower arms is fine unless you are visiting a mosque.
- Comfortable shoes for walking – The Valley of the Kings and some of the temples have uneven ground, and sometimes you have to walk over sand—hot grains of sand in your sandals are not nice!
- Good sunglasses.
- Non-slip flip-flops for wearing in the bathrooms and wet rooms are a good idea for safety and hygiene reasons.
- A wide-brimmed hat and a sweatband would not go amiss to keep sweat out of your eyes, especially in the tombs, which are very hot and humid.
- Bikinis and skimpy summer wear are accepted for hotel poolside and beach, but not on the street, in the dining room or otherwise in public.
- Between late November and March the nights can be chilly, so bring warm pajamas (many places do not have heating as it is only cold at night) and a pullover or jacket to wear when going out.
- Your “Go-Everywhere With Me, Bag” This is the bag that goes out with you every day and night.
Apart from my tips above on what to wear, you might like to read my packing checklist and what you should take to Egypt for a comfortable trip.
WHAT NOT TO WEAR IN EGYPT – Avoid Common Clothing Mistakes.
Wearing skimpy tops that reveal your shoulders or belly button, or stepping out in shorts and short skirts, are common mistakes that will definitely get you stared at on the streets of Egypt.
TIP consider leaving valuable jewelry — especially sentimental rings — at home. If your fingers swell in the heat, you may be tempted to remove them, increasing the risk of forgetting them in your hotel room when you leave.
What do Egyptian women wear?
While a percentage of the population, especially in Cairo, are wearing modern, western-style clothing, more Egyptian women are wearing the hijab (veil/headscarf) and the niqab (covered head to toe, except for eyes) than ever before. Tourists are NOT expected to wear a headscarf or cover their heads like Egyptian women except if visiting a mosque.
If you intend to visit the famous Muhammad Ali Mosque in the Citadel in Cairo women cannot enter unless their heads, arms, and legs are covered. If they are not, you will be required to wear one of the head-to-toe robes provided before being allowed to enter.
Strangely enough, the clothing problem appears to be a “skin thing,” as wearing body-hugging clothes is quite acceptable, and many girls wearing the Hijab (scarf) wear tight clothing, but they wear bodysuit-type tops under the different layers.
The cooling aids I personally can’t do without in hot weather :-
You might be wondering how you’ll handle the hot, dry weather, especially if, like me, you’ve never been too comfortable in high temperatures, and age adds to the challenge. To keep cool, my go-to choice is the ‘Cooling Hat,’ which resembles a typical sports cap. I simply soak it in water and wring most of the water out of it before heading out, and it works wonders in helping me stay comfortable in the heat.
I also bought a “Cooling Towel” for my guide in Luxor and he sent me a photo of it in June with the comment “this thing saved my life today”. I have sampled other cooling neckties, but their effectiveness is nowhere near that of the one that I recommend above, and it has also stood the test of time. I also use a set of “cooling wrist bands” which are lovely because they just look like regular sportswear for the wrists.
Best Advice – Travel Light & Use Laundry Facilities
If you want to travel light, you could get away with a max of three changes of clothes. There are excellent same-day laundry facilities on the ships and in the hotels, You may be surprised at the low prices for some clothing (even Western fashion) to be found in Egypt. Many people end up buying extra bags to take their bargains home. So save some space for your bargain buys and an extra fold-up bag would not go amiss. Neither would a water bottle holder with shoulder or hand strap (and if it can keep water cool – even better!)
If you found these tips helpful and want a stress-free way to experience Egypt, come and stay with me at Mara House Luxor, let us handle the tours and transport while you relax in comfort and experience Egypt in total peace of mind.
👉 Email me directly at maraegypt@gmail.com to check available dates, and feel free to ask any questions you have.