Should you cover your hair in Egypt?

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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If you would like to cover your head with a scarf, and some women do, that's fine. However, you will not be judged or looked down upon for leaving your head uncovered during your Egypt tours. Usually, the tourists who choose to cover their hair are the ones with very light, blonde hair.

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As a rule of thumb, especially for women, chest, shoulders, and knees should be covered at all times when not at beach resorts. You can still stay relatively cool by taking a tip from the ancient Egyptians and wearing light, breathable fabrics like linen.

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It's technically permissible to wear shorts in Egypt, though not regarded as appropriate outside of beach areas. It seems, however, that some girls do wear shorts. even short shorts, in Egypt outside of beach areas, so perhaps you could do so, as well.

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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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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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ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO PACK FOR EGYPT
  • A scarf. A scarf for a trip to Egypt should be the first thing you throw in your bag! ...
  • Sun protection. ...
  • A maxi dress or two. ...
  • A long cardigan. ...
  • Sunglasses. ...
  • Secure purse or locked daypack. ...
  • Comfy shoes for walking. ...
  • An oversized button down.


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Toilet paper - You can always buy toilet paper while there or take some from your hotel. If you're particularly worried about hygiene, also bring your travel toilet seat covers. Note - don't flush anything down the toilet in Egypt, not even toilet paper. The pipes can't handle it.

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The best clothing to wear for visiting the pyramids in Egypt would be airy clothes like loose dresses or pants, a loose fitting shirt or blouse with long sleeves and comfortable shoes.

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Tourists are not required to follow any particular dress code to visit the pyramids in Egypt. Although many online sources say that female travellers should not wear short pants, many female tourists do, and nobody bats an eyelid. Both men and women are free to wear shorts to visit the pyramids.

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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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Do not kiss or embrace someone of the opposite sex in public. You will see Egyptian couples holding hands in the cities, but these will be married, engaged or courting.

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You'll be doing a lot of walking so you want to make sure you're comfortable! Otherwise, my go to travel shoe is usually a pair of birkenstocks! They are comfortable, durable and can be dressed up or down. They pair well with everything from locally bought outfits to denim shorts to sun dresses.

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Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Egypt. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Egypt: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

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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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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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