Quick answer
In Egypt, wear loose, breathable clothing that covers your shoulders and knees: linen or cotton trousers, midi or maxi skirts and light shirts work for both men and women. Bring a warm layer for winter evenings and desert nights, a scarf for mosques (women must cover their hair), and save swimwear and shorter styles for Red Sea resorts and hotel pools.
What is the dress code in Egypt?
Egypt has no legal dress code for tourists, but it is a conservative, mostly Muslim country, so dressing modestly – shoulders and knees covered, nothing tight or see-through – earns you more respect and less unwanted attention.
In Cairo you'll see everything from fully veiled women to young Egyptians in jeans and fitted tops, especially in Zamalek and New Cairo. Tourists in shorts and singlets won't be refused entry to the pyramids or temples, but they will stand out, attract more hassle (especially women), and burn. Covering up is genuinely practical in Egypt: the sun is fierce, and loose fabric keeps you cooler than bare skin.
The level of modesty you need rises in places of worship, in traditional neighbourhoods such as Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili, and in rural Upper Egypt. It drops significantly in Red Sea resorts, on Nile cruise sundecks and around hotel pools.
What should women wear in Egypt?
Women are most comfortable in loose trousers or a midi or maxi skirt, a top that covers the shoulders (short sleeves are fine; elbow-length is better in conservative areas), and a lightweight scarf that doubles as sun protection and a head covering for mosques.
- Bottoms: wide-leg linen trousers, palazzo pants, lightweight chinos or a maxi skirt. Leggings are fine under a long tunic or dress.
- Tops: loose linen shirts, tees with sleeves, tunics. A button-up linen shirt worn open over a tee or singlet is the most versatile item you can pack.
- Dresses: maxi dresses with sleeves (or with a cardigan or shirt over them) are ideal for temples and dinners.
- Avoid: very short shorts and skirts, low-cut tops, bare midriffs and sheer fabrics outside resorts.
- Scarf: a large cotton or silk scarf is essential – for mosques, for dust in the desert, and for sun on your neck in the Valley of the Kings.
You don't need to cover your hair anywhere except inside mosques. Dressing modestly won't eliminate comments or staring in busy places, but it noticeably reduces them.
What should men wear in Egypt?
Men should wear lightweight long trousers or knee-length shorts with a T-shirt or short-sleeved shirt; Egyptian men rarely wear shorts in cities, so long trousers are the better choice for Cairo, mosques and evenings.
- Trousers: linen, cotton or quick-dry travel trousers. Zip-off trousers are practical for long sightseeing days.
- Shorts: knee-length shorts are acceptable at the pyramids, temples and on cruises, but not inside mosques.
- Shirts: T-shirts and short-sleeved shirts are fine. Avoid singlets away from the pool, and don't go shirtless anywhere but the beach or pool.
- Evenings: a collared shirt and chinos cover everything from Cairo restaurants to the captain's dinner on a Nile cruise. Few places require a jacket.
What should you wear in Egypt in each season?
Pack light layers year-round, adding a warm jacket from November to March and maximum sun protection from May to September.
| Season | Typical weather | What to pack |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cairo days around 18–21°C, nights 9–11°C; Luxor and Aswan 22–26°C by day, cold mornings; deserts can approach freezing at night | Long sleeves, a fleece or light down jacket, a warm layer for early balloon flights and Abu Simbel departures, closed shoes |
| Spring (Mar–Apr) | Warming quickly; 25–35°C in the south; occasional dusty khamsin winds | Light layers, a scarf or buff for dust, sunglasses, a light jumper for evenings |
| Summer (May–Sep) | Cairo 33–36°C; Luxor and Aswan often 40–45°C; Red Sea around 32–35°C with sea breezes | Loose linen, a wide-brimmed hat, UPF clothing, electrolyte sachets; sightsee early and late |
| Autumn (Oct–Nov) | Hot early in October, pleasant by November; evenings cool from November | Summer clothing plus a light jacket from mid-November |
Australians often underestimate Egyptian winters. A 4am departure from Aswan to Abu Simbel in January can be 8°C, and a Luxor hot-air balloon launch is chilly until the sun is up. See our best time to visit Egypt guide for month-by-month conditions.
What do you wear to visit a mosque in Egypt?
To enter a mosque, both men and women need long trousers or a long skirt and covered shoulders and arms; women must also cover their hair, and everyone removes their shoes.
- Major tourist mosques – the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in the Citadel, Al-Azhar, Sultan Hassan and Ibn Tulun – usually lend or rent green robes and headscarves at the entrance, but bring your own scarf to be sure.
- Wear shoes that slip on and off easily, and socks if you don't want to walk barefoot on sun-warmed stone courtyards.
- Non-Muslims generally aren't admitted during Friday midday prayers and may be asked to wait during other prayer times.
- Coptic churches in Old Cairo ask for similar modesty, though women don't usually need to cover their hair.
What should you wear on a Nile cruise or in a Red Sea resort?
On a Nile cruise, wear comfortable, modest day clothes for temple excursions, swimwear on the sundeck, and smart-casual for dinner; at Red Sea resorts such as Hurghada, El Gouna and Sharm el-Sheikh, normal beachwear is fine.
Nile cruises: most ships host a "galabeya night" where guests wear traditional Egyptian robes – you can buy one cheaply in Luxor or on board. Dinner dress is smart-casual: no need for a suit or cocktail dress, though some guests on luxury ships enjoy dressing up. Our Nile cruise guide and Nile cruise vs dahabiya comparison cover onboard life in more detail.
Red Sea: bikinis and boardshorts are fine at the pool and beach, and El Gouna in particular feels like any international resort town. Cover up with a kaftan or shirt to walk through the lobby or into town. Topless sunbathing is not permitted. Pack a rash vest for snorkelling – the sun is intense on the water – and consider reef shoes. See our Red Sea destination guide.
What should you wear in the desert, at Siwa or the White Desert?
For desert trips, dress in layers: breathable long sleeves and trousers by day, then a warm jacket, beanie and thermal layer for nights, which can fall close to 0°C in the White Desert between December and February.
The Western Desert has the biggest temperature swings in Egypt. A December afternoon among the chalk formations of the White Desert can be a pleasant 22°C, and the same night under the stars at camp can be bitterly cold. Overnight camping trips supply mattresses and blankets, but a warm sleeping layer of your own makes a big difference.
- Sun and sand: a buff or scarf to pull over your nose and mouth when the wind picks up, wraparound sunglasses, and a hat that won't blow off.
- Feet: closed shoes or light boots for climbing dunes and rock; sand gets into everything else.
- Siwa: Siwa Oasis is one of the most traditional communities in Egypt, so modest dress matters more here than in Cairo. Women should keep arms and legs covered in town, and swimming in the springs such as Cleopatra's Spring is best done in a T-shirt and shorts over swimwear.
See our White Desert and Siwa Oasis guides, or the Ultimate Egypt itinerary that includes both.
What shoes should you bring to Egypt?
Bring comfortable, broken-in walking shoes or trainers with good grip as your main pair, plus sandals and one slightly smarter pair for evenings.
Temple floors are uneven and dusty, the walk from the Great Pyramid down to the Sphinx is sandy and stony, and tomb steps in the Valley of the Kings can be steep. Closed shoes are better than sandals in the desert, at Saqqara and in Islamic Cairo's crowded lanes. Sports sandals with a heel strap are excellent from April to October. Leave high heels at home – Egyptian footpaths are unforgiving.
What is the ultimate Egypt packing list?
Beyond clothes, the essentials are sun protection, a scarf, a universal adaptor (Egypt uses type C and F plugs, 220V), a small daypack, a reusable water bottle and small cash for tips.
Clothing (10–14 days)
- 3–4 pairs of loose trousers or long skirts (one pair of knee-length shorts optional)
- 5–7 breathable tops with sleeves, including one long-sleeved linen shirt
- 1–2 smart-casual outfits for dinners
- Warm layer: fleece or packable down jacket (November to March)
- Swimwear and a cover-up
- Large scarf or pashmina
- Walking shoes, sandals, one smarter pair
Accessories and health
- Wide-brimmed hat and polarised sunglasses
- SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm with SPF (sunscreen is expensive in Egypt)
- Insect repellent for evenings on the Nile
- Hand sanitiser, tissues and a small pack of wet wipes (toilet paper isn't always supplied)
- Rehydration sachets and your usual traveller's diarrhoea remedies
- Prescription medication in original packaging, with a copy of the script
Tech and documents
- Plug adaptors for type C/F sockets (Australian appliances run fine on 220V)
- Power bank and a phone lanyard or secure bag
- Passport with at least six months' validity, travel insurance details and e-visa printout if applicable – see our Egypt visa guide for Australians
- Small USD or EGP notes for tipping – see our tipping guide
Leave the drone at home: drones are restricted in Egypt and are routinely confiscated at the airport. Our Egypt travel tips explain why.
Frequently asked questions
Can women wear shorts in Egypt?
Women can wear shorts at Red Sea resorts, hotel pools and on cruise sundecks. In cities, temples and villages, knee-covering trousers or skirts are more respectful and attract far less attention.
Do women need to cover their hair in Egypt?
Only inside mosques. Elsewhere, tourists don't need to cover their hair, although a scarf is useful for sun and dust.
Can I wear leggings in Egypt?
Yes, ideally under a long top, tunic or dress that covers your bottom. On their own, leggings are fine in the gym or at a resort.
Is it cold in Egypt in winter?
Days are mild, but mornings and nights are cool – often around 10°C in Cairo and colder in the desert. Pack a warm jacket from November to March, especially for balloon flights and early Abu Simbel departures.
What should I wear to the pyramids?
Loose trousers or a long skirt, a breathable top with sleeves, a hat, sunglasses and closed walking shoes. The plateau is sandy, exposed and hot even in winter.
Is there a dress code on Nile cruises?
Dress is casual by day and smart-casual at dinner. Most ships hold a galabeya party night, so you may want a traditional robe, which you can buy cheaply in Luxor or on board.
