Can females wear shorts in Egypt?

Egyptian men do not often wear shorts, but they are perfectly fine for a male tourist to wear. Aside from beachside resort cities, it is not recommended for female tourists to ever wear shorts in Egypt. Before traveling to Egypt for the first time, many travelers ask us what clothes to bring.



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Both men and women are free to wear shorts to visit the pyramids.

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Pants, t-shirts, and long-sleeve shirts are acceptable as clothes to wear in Egypt. Avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts to fit in with local customs. Men do not need a head-covering scarf to enter mosques.

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But, as Egypt is an Islamic country it is to be expected. Remember, everyone is in the same boat. Wearing shorts, strappy tops, mini skirts, clothing that reveals too much flesh is a big NO. It will draw a lot of attention and, most importantly, it's seen as disrespectful to locals.

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In short, no. As a tourist you aren't expected to wear a hijab or any other hair or facial covering in Egypt. The only exception to this is if you're visiting a mosque – in that case, you do indeed need to respect the fact that you're entering a religious building and cover up.

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Tops. When it comes to tops, packing for Egypt is pretty easy. There are two main things to keep in mind; no cleavage and cover your shoulders and midriff.

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Most important, dress conservatively. Bare arms and legs will indicate that you are the loose Westerner of their imagination, and you will find the level of harassment increasing commensurately. Tight jeans and tops are better than shorts and a tank top, but not by much.

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Avoiding food poisoning: What not to eat in Egypt
Heated and cooked food is your best friend. Avoid anything raw or any food that is served fresh such as salads and fruits. If you can't give up your greens and fruits, wash it yourself. This is what I usually do.

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A shirt/t-shirt with a pair of loose pants would be ideal. Capri pants, maxi dresses, or even shorts would work too, as long as the shorts are cut long (knee length). Dresses or skirts are fine… unless you are planning on riding a horse or camel!

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Egyptian men do not often wear shorts, but they are perfectly fine for a male tourist to wear. Aside from beachside resort cities, it is not recommended for female tourists to ever wear shorts in Egypt.

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If your feet are exposed to the sun do use sunblock as burnt feet are painful and difficult to deal with. Flip flops are fine for wearing in and around your hotel. For sightseeing, comfortable footwear is essential. The streets are dusty, the sites dusty, sandy, gritty, stony and uneven.

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Go with a flowing maxi dress to stay cool during daytime events. Knee-length or longer dresses are fine to wear during the day. The flowy material of a maxi dress can help keep you cool in the desert heat, too. You could also try a midi dress or skirt.

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In Egypt, it is technically illegal for unmarried couples to share a hotel room, and many hotels will require couples to provide proof of marriage upon check-in. However, some hotels in Cairo may be more lenient or discreet about enforcing these laws.

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