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Can you show your legs in Egypt?

A good rule of thumb for the dress code in Egypt for tourists is to cover your arms and legs, especially in mosques or more conservative areas.



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Respecting the local customs (which includes dressing the part!) is important on any trip to Egypt. As a rule of thumb, especially for women, chest, shoulders, and knees should be covered at all times when not at beach resorts.

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While it's a must in some countries, this restriction does not apply to Egypt. No, you don't have to cover your ankles, or yourself from head to toe.

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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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It is best to not show much skin unless you are on a specific tour or Nile river cruise where shorts are allowed. Tank tops and crop tops – Unless you are by the pool or beach, these shouldn't be worn. Heavy jackets – you will rarely ever need any heavy clothing in Egypt.

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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. Before traveling to Egypt for the first time, many travelers ask us what clothes to bring.

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Couples kissing on the street, even a kiss on the cheek might be unacceptable in some areas in Egypt. Handholding and shaking hands is ok in general, but strict Muslims don't shake hands with people of the opposite sex to avoid any physical contact.

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The looser your clothes are, the better. Form-fitting clothing can be just as poorly received as exposed skin. Packing a couple of tunics and long-sleeved shirts that you can slip over the top of your outfits is also a good idea for easy layering in more conservative areas.

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“General Rule of Thumb” Tips for What to Wear in Egypt as a Woman: Tops: Avoid tops that show cleavage or your stomach. Sorry, no crop tops! When wearing a tank top, bring a thin chambray shirt, linen shirt or long scarf with you in case you need to cover up to feel comfortable or get out of the sun.

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Covering your hair in Egypt It is a valid concern as over 90% of women in the country do wear a headscarf, per The New York Times (via Washington Institute). Ultimately, however, it is your choice as it's not mandatory for tourists to wear a hijab, unless they are visiting a mosque, per A Dangerous Business.

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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 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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Regarding Egypt in particular, it is common for criminals and people who been prisoned to have them, so that will be the first impression. The answer in that question was meant for a person who wants to blend in and look like Egyptian. But for a tourist it is totally fine to show them.

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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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According to government law, Egyptian citizens are required to present a marriage certificate. Foreign guests can check into the hotel without a marriage certificate or as unmarried couples.

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If visiting Egypt with a partner, it's important to note that public displays of affection are not common in Egyptian culture. Hugging, kissing, and even holding hands is not appropriate in public areas, and following these guidelines shows respect to the locals.

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2. Sharing an apartment or hotel room with an Egyptian of the opposite sex if you're not married. Egyptian regulations require that any Egyptian man or woman sharing a room or apartment with a member of the opposite sex have a marriage certificate.

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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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It's best to avoid wearing revealing or tight-fitting clothing, such as shorts, tank tops, or mini-skirts and respect the Egyptian dress code. Instead, you can opt for loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs, such as long-sleeved shirts, maxi dresses or skirts, and pants.

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Though, to be honest, I didn't expect I would wear them; assuming they would be too tight and show off my 'assets' too much to be considered appropriate. However, I quickly found out that jeans, even skinny jeans, are ok in Egypt; so long as you have a longer top to pair with them, like this one.

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