Egypt has no official dress code for tourists — but how you dress changes how you are treated, especially in the old quarters, in mosques and in Upper Egypt. This guide gives practical answers for men, women and children, what to pack, and (for our photography guests) the colours that photograph best against the Pyramids.
The short version
- Women: shoulders and knees covered in cities, temples and rural areas. Lightweight, loose clothing. A scarf for mosques.
- Men: no tank tops in cities or mosques. Long trousers are always fine. Shorts are acceptable at beach resorts only.
- Children: fully flexible. Egyptian families dress children casually.
- Resorts: swimwear is fine at pools and beaches. Cover up when you leave the resort.
What to pack — a five-item checklist
- One long, loose, breathable skirt or linen trousers in a solid colour.
- Two tops: one short-sleeved, one long-sleeved linen (for sun protection and mosques).
- A large cotton scarf: mosque visits, sun protection, and a photography prop.
- Comfortable closed shoes for the Pyramids and temple sites (sandals work but sand gets in).
- A light layer for early-morning photoshoots — desert mornings in winter are cold.
Mosque and religious sites
Women must cover their hair, shoulders and knees inside any mosque. Most major mosques keep scarves at the entrance for visitors — clean, but we suggest bringing your own for comfort. Shoes come off; carry socks if your feet get cold on stone floors. Men must also cover shoulders and knees. Non-Muslims are welcome at most mosques outside prayer times.
The Pyramids and desert sites
There is no dress code at the Pyramids themselves — you see everything from shorts and t-shirts to full abayas. But there are three practical considerations: the sun (cover your shoulders and use a wide hat), the wind (loose layers keep you cool while blocking sand), and the photographs. Solid, flowing colours — white, red, emerald, navy, gold — photograph beautifully against limestone and sand. Busy patterns disappear against the pyramids. Our private Pyramids photoshoot includes an outfit consultation before the shoot.
Weddings and honeymoon photoshoots
For the classic white dress at the Pyramids, the practical recommendation is a flowing white or ivory dress in light fabric, plus a second outfit in a bolder colour (red, gold, emerald) for the second location. Brides sometimes ask about full ballgowns — they photograph beautifully but are impractical on sand. Our honeymoon tour includes pre-trip outfit guidance.
What not to wear
- Deep-cleavage tops or very short shorts in cities and rural areas (not illegal — just culturally disrespectful).
- Camouflage print (associated with the military — legal but can cause unwanted questions).
- All-black heavy clothing in summer (heat exhaustion risk).
- Swimwear away from pools and beaches.
One rule that beats all others
Respect. Egyptian hospitality is generous and forgiving; the worst you will experience is a look. But covering knees and shoulders in non-tourist areas costs you nothing and gives you a warmer experience. Our guides — who know the neighbourhoods we visit on our family tours and 7-day Egypt tour — brief guests on local norms the night before each stop.
