So you’ve booked a trip to Egypt to marvel at the wonders of the ancient world, experience the warm hospitality of colourful Nubian villages and swim in the Red Sea with dolphins. But what should you wear when visiting Egypt? Especially as a woman, deciding what to wear to Egypt as a female traveler can be tricky. Read on for my advice on what to pack for Egypt as a female traveler:
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What to Wear in Egypt as a Female Traveler
A breakdown of what to wear to Egypt as a female traveler.
What to wear in Egypt: be comfortable and cool
If you’re going to be visiting the pyramids, exploring ancient temple complexes and cruising down the Nile on a felucca boat, then I definitely recommend prioritising comfort. In addition, no matter what time of year you visit Egypt, it’s going to be hot. Loose layers are your friend. Think long loose trousers, t-shirts and a loose shirt as a cover up.
Do I need a headscarf to visit Egypt?
You do not need a headscarf to visit Egypt as there is no legal requirement to wear one. There is no cultural expectation to wear a headscarf at the Ancient Egyptian sites. However a scarf can be a welcome protection from the scorching sun so I’d recommend bringing one anyway. Likewise you won’t need one for walking around the cities, but you’re welcome to wear one and you may feel more comfortable doing so. It is however recommended to wear a headscarf as a sign of respect when visiting mosques such as the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo. Some mosques are more strict than others and may refuse you entry without a headscarf.
Do I need to fully cover up when visiting Egypt?
Egypt is moderately conservative but you do not need to be obsessive about making sure you are completely covered. At tourist sites such as the pyramids you can be pretty relaxed (although long-layers are still recommended against the sun!). In touristy hotels you can wear what you like and at the Red Sea resorts swimwear (including bikinis) is fine. However, if you visit a mosque you will need a scarf and you’ll need to cover your arms and legs. In the city it will depend where you are. Cairo and the bigger cities are more modern, but if you visit more rural areas you may wish to cover up more. If you are by yourself rather than with a group I recommend covering up more to avoid unwanted attention.
Tip: Even in more touristy areas I always carried a loose long-sleeved shirt and a scarf in my bag so that I could quickly cover up if needed.
Weather and the best time to go to Egypt
- High Season (December – February): Warm during the day but cool in the evenings and at nighttime.
- Shoulder Season (October/November, March/April): Very hot during the daytime but still cooler in the evenings and at night. Best to plan activities for the early mornings and evenings.
- Low Season (May – September): Horribly hot, best avoided.
Does it ever get cold?
Egypt is hot all year round. But it can get cooler after dark, especially if you’re on a Nile cruise. I recommend packing a long sleeved shirt as a cover up and also a light jacket for the evenings.
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