What you can wear: Weather and Culture Elements:
What to wear when traveling to Egypt in December, January and other months? What to wear to the Pyramids? How conservative do you need to be especially women? These are some common questions by travellers to Egypt especially first timers.
Egypt has different regions where the weather and local culture can be different. Both these factors can impact your decision on what to pack or wear. Going to certain areas like the pyramids, the desert, mosquito infested areas, or the beaches may also require some preparation to be ready for that environment.
Dress Code in Egypt
In general, there are no conditions on what you can or cannot wear in Egypt (except for nudity maybe), but being relatively conservative in a conservative country can save you undesired stares or sometimes verbal harassment or catcalls for women. This is not very common, but it does happen in Egypt. You can still wear leggings, capris, or sleeveless tops. You just need to know where and when.
Overall, southern parts of Egypt are warmer. The coastal areas are milder but windier in many times, but Egypt is relatively hot in summer and mildly cold in winter except in some areas where it can drop down below freezing degrees in winter especially in the night.
So.. What to wear in Egypt?
In general wear modestly in crowded places, and cover your body with loose cotton or light fabrics clothes especially in summer. Take a windbreaker jacket for windy days in all seasons other than summer months. If you’re going in the winter take wool or leather jacket for the colder nights and days.
You can wear relatively what you like in resorts or hotels, but if you do not want to attract too much attention outside these areas especially for women, then do not expose too much skin. People are generally used to tourists, but you won’t be able to avoid stares or catcalls in some occasions (if it bothers you).
On the cultural side, Egypt is a conservative country with Islam being the majority’s religion and Christianity as a minority’s religion. All Egyptians are generally conservative, but it becomes more obvious in rural and farm areas. In big cities people are more accustomed to tourists and visitors.
What to wear in Egypt for different seasons
Egypt is mainly a desert with a desert climate. The Nile river extends from south to north in the middle of this desert and the northern and eastern sides are bordered by sea. This gives the regions around the Nile river and across sea sides their own unique climate.
You need to be ready for an extremely hot season in the summer and warm season in winter with some cold periods especially at night. This however can differ based on where you’re going in Egypt. I listed below a more detailed explanation by region and month that also takes local culture and customs into consideration.
What to wear Egypt if you go in winter
So.. What to wear in Egypt in December, January, or February? This is the peak season for tourists coming from the western countries as it is the relatively worm in contrast to the extremely hot summer. You can expect some cold days and nights especially if you go on desert excursions or stay on a seaside resort.
What to wear in Egypt in December, January, and February
Temperatures and rain days in December:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 11 | 20 | 52 | 68 | 10 |
| Cairo and Giza | 10 | 20 | 50 | 68 | 2.8 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 8 | 24 | 46 | 75 | 1 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 15 | 23 | 59 | 73 | 0.3 |
Temperatures and rain days in January:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 9 | 18 | 48 | 64 | 11 |
| Cairo and Giza | 9 | 19 | 48 | 66 | 3.5 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 6 | 23 | 43 | 73 | 0.2 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 13 | 22 | 55 | 72 | 0.3 |
Temperatures and rain days in February:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 9 | 19 | 48 | 66 | 9 |
| Cairo and Giza | 10 | 20 | 50 | 68 | 2.7 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 7 | 25 | 45 | 77 | 0.1 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 14 | 22 | 57 | 72 | 0.1 |
What to Wear in Egypt for Winter
| Region in Egypt | What to wear in November, December, or January |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | Light coat or jacket in for the day and a coat for the night time. Be prepared to add layers when needed. Jeans and leggings are good to go in most days. Not the right time for shorts, tank tops, sleeveless tops |
| Cairo and Giza | Nights and early mornings can be chilly so take a coat or medium jacket. Add layers based on weather forecast for the day. Midday can be ‘too warm’ sometimes so wear something that you can take off when needed such as light jacket with removable sleeves if available. |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | This region is warmer than other regions in Egypt. You can expect to be able to wear light clothes even in winter months. However you need to keep a jacket handy as it can get colder especially in early mornings and at nights. If you go on trips to historical sires, take a pair of gloves just in case. Keep the sunscreen and a nice hat also close by as sunshine can be intense even in winter months. It can get cloudy on many days, and can rain few days during the winter. |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | This is the time when it is warm enough but not hot time of the year. It can be warm in this regions but it can also get chilly occasionally. In a recent year there was even snow for few days. Desert excursions, and hiking trip will require layering and a good jacket in especially in early morning and over night. Most of the time you can go for a splash in your hotel or resort pool and get some tanning. Always take your summer clothes and be ready with some winter jackets, additional layers when needed. |
| In All regions | Winter Pyjamas is a good idea. Some hotels may not have proper heating at night. A nice hat and sunscreen is sometimes needed with the sunshine strongly even in winter months. A scarf can always be useful for women in open areas or historical locations. It can protect you from the sun or wind. Some days are rainy in this season especially in northern and Cairo areas. Take a light rain coat. |
What to wear Egypt in if you go in Spring
This is a mild weather season with temperature increasing gradually. Early mornings and nights can be relatively cold.
What to wear in Egypt in March, April, and May
Temperatures and rain days in March:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 11 | 21 | 52 | 70 | 6 |
| Cairo and Giza | 12 | 24 | 54 | 75 | 1.9 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 11 | 29 | 52 | 84 | 0.1 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 16 | 25 | 61 | 77 | 0.5 |
Temperatures and rain days in April:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 13 | 24 | 55 | 75 | 2 |
| Cairo and Giza | 15 | 28 | 59 | 82 | 0.9 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 16 | 35 | 61 | 95 | 0.1 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 20 | 30 | 68 | 86 | 0.1 |
Temperatures and rain days in May:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 17 | 27 | 63 | 81 | 1 |
| Cairo and Giza | 18 | 32 | 64 | 90 | 0.5 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 20 | 39 | 68 | 102 | 0.1 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 24 | 34 | 75 | 93 | 0 |
What to Wear in Egypt for Spring
| Region in Egypt | What to wear in March, April, or May |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | Mild weather is expected during this period. Expect some breezes at night. Bring some jackets and long pants for the night |
| Cairo and Giza | Khamasin sand storms are expected in this time. Otherwise the weather is mild and you can wear light clothes |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | Warmer than winter but still nice weather |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | War weather with some breezy weather from these and maybe winds in the mornings. Be prepared with some windbreaker jackets and long pants at night. Otherwise, wear light and enjoy bathing in pools. |
| In All regions | Overall weather is mild in Egypt in Spring months except for sand storms in some regions. Be ready with light jackets and long pants for some nights and early mornings. |
What to wear Egypt in if you go in Summer
Extreme heat all over Egypt and extreme humidity in some coastal areas.
What to wear in Egypt in June, July, or August
Temperatures and rain days in June:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 20 | 29 | 68 | 84 | 0 |
| Cairo and Giza | 20 | 34 | 68 | 93 | 0.1 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 23 | 41 | 73 | 106 | 0 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 27 | 37 | 81 | 99 | 0 |
Temperatures and rain days in July:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 23 | 30 | 73 | 86 | 0 |
| Cairo and Giza | 22 | 35 | 72 | 95 | 0 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 24 | 41 | 75 | 106 | 0 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 27 | 38 | 81 | 100 | 0 |
Temperatures and rain days in August:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 23 | 30 | 73 | 86 | 0 |
| Cairo and Giza | 22 | 34 | 72 | 93 | 0 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 24 | 41 | 75 | 106 | 0 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 28 | 38 | 82 | 100 | 0 |
What to Wear in Egypt for Summer
| Region in Egypt | What to wear in June, July, or August |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | The most mild weather in Egypt can be expected in this region but it is still hot anyway. Take light clothes and breathable fabrics. Most Egyptian go to the north in summer as it is school break time so expect it to be crowded. |
| Cairo and Giza | It is hot and city pollution makes it even more difficult especially in crowded places. Visiting Egyptian historical site that include tunnels or underground rooms can be extremely humid. Take some towel with you and lots of water. |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | Extremely hot. Avoid outdoors midday as much as possible. If you have to, wear breathable hat use sunscreen, cover skin to avoid sun burns with light breathable fabrics. Do not stay in sun for long times. |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | Use lots of sunscreen. You can bathe or swim in pools and you can make use of Arabian head cover to cover head and face. Use light breathable fabrics and long soft fabric pants. You can wear jeans but expect it to be rough on skin. |
| In All regions | Extremely hot overall. Wear light breathable fabrics. Cover skin to protect it from sunburns. Use breathable hats or Arabian head covers (for men or women) |
What to wear Egypt in if you go in Fall
You need to dress for a mild weather trending down from extremely hot to mildly warm in fall months.
What to wear in Egypt in September, October, or November
Temperatures and rain days in September:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 21 | 30 | 70 | 86 | 0 |
| Cairo and Giza | 21 | 33 | 70 | 91 | 0 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 22 | 39 | 72 | 102 | 0 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 27 | 35 | 81 | 95 | 0.1 |
Temperatures and rain days in October:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 18 | 28 | 64 | 82 | 3 |
| Cairo and Giza | 17 | 29 | 63 | 84 | 0.5 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 18 | 35 | 64 | 95 | 0.3 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 23 | 32 | 73 | 90 | 0.4 |
Temperatures and rain days in November:
| Region in Egypt | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Rain Days |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | 14 | 24 | 57 | 75 | 5 |
| Cairo and Giza | 14 | 25 | 57 | 77 | 1.3 |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | 12 | 29 | 54 | 84 | 0 |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | 19 | 27 | 66 | 81 | 0.4 |
What to Wear in Egypt in Autumn
| Region in Egypt | What to wear in September, October, or November |
| Alexandria and The North Coast | Weather starts trending down from hot to warm to little cold especially at night. Wear light breathable Fabric. Take a light jacket with you |
| Cairo and Giza | Still hot especially in September and October. Some cold in the early mornings and overnight. Take light breathable fabric clothes, jeans, and a light jacket |
| Luxor, Aswan and Southern Regions | Still relatively hot. Protect your skin from the sun. Use light clothes. |
| Sharm El Sheikh, Southern Sinai, and Northern Red Sea Region | Still relatively hot and trends down to warm. Expect windy days. |
| In All regions | You still need sun protection. Cover skin, had and face when in direct sun light. Relatively warm but not too hot anymore especially in November. |
About local culture: What to wear at different places or events in Egypt
Egyptians are mostly conservatives and although nothing will stop you from wearing what you want (nudity excluded) you are better off not showing too much skin especially women.
However there are no rules and if you don’t mind some stares or catcalls you can wear what you want. I wouldn’t recommend hot shorts, tank tops, or tops that are too revealing or bottoms that are above the knees.
If you visit mosques or churches I would advise women to cover hair and for everyone to wear pants and decent tops. This shows respect at these places. You do not have to agree with local cultural values or beliefs but it is advisable to show respect especially at holy places.
Wearing for safety
Do not wear valuable jewelry or watches if you are going to the market or to crowded areas. Wear cross bag to make it harder to snatch. If in winter you may have more protection by wearing a jacket over the bag. Do not keep your wallet exposed or in back pocket, but rather make sure it is well protected.
I recommend an anti-theft backpack for long walks, historical location visits, and market (souk) walks. More on safety can be found in the article: ‘Travelling to Egypt: Going Without Vaccinations and Food and Drinking Water Safety‘
Best Shoes to Wear in Egypt
A pair of runners or light sneakers is the best choice if you walking in any sandy or stony area such as excursions in Sinai, Sharm El Sheikh, or at the Giza Pyramids.
If you are walking around crowded streets of Cairo, use closed shoes and socks. Using sandals will give you undesirable experience with dirt, stones, and sandy mud on those streets. In areas around shopping malls or more elegant sidewalks sandals can be a good choice. You will need need a shower every day as the humidity, heat, dust, and sand are unavoidable.
Expect a lot of sweating in most seasons and a foot deodorizer can be a good idea. You can still use sandals if you plan to walk in upscale areas or in and around resorts. At coastal area take beach shoes for the stony beaches as not all beaches will come with smooth sands. Take flip flop for you bathroom and at least one classic or leather shoes night out events.
For ladies long skirts is a good idea except when you are planning to ride a camel or a horse. The same goes for men wearing shorts. It can be suitable especially in hot weather, just make sure you plan your activities to align with what you’re wearing.
Some Common Questions
Can I wear Leggings in Egypt
It is totally fine to wear leggings in Egypt. I would advise wearing a relatively long top that covers your behind though. Many Egyptian women wear leggings anyway. Try not to be ‘too sexy’ to avoid undesired attention.
What about skinny jeans or tight pants
These are very common in urban areas like Cairo or Alexandria. They are even more common in touristic areas such as Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.
Many Egyptians wear skinny or stretch jeans. You need to to judge by yourself based on you own body shape and where exactly in Egypt are you planning to go and the level of attention you don’t (or do) like.
Can I as a women wear sleeveless tops?
Bare shoulders will draw too much attention when in crowded markets (Souks) or in streets. Too much cleavage is not desirable too especially in these areas. You can be more relaxed in resorts or around hotels.
Half sleeves, three quarters length, or full sleeves are more common and more acceptable.
Do I have to Cover my Hair
You do not have to cover your hair in Egypt. However you can cover your hair if you visit a mosque or church out of respect. Sometimes you can also cover your hair to protect yourself from the extremely hot sun. A scarf or sometimes a proper hat can do the job.
I met some tourist ladies who decided to cover their hair all the time, but this is definitely not required. It is up to you though.
What Should I wear When I go to the Pyramids?
Pyramids are located in a desert area around Cairo. Depending on season (as mentioned above in this article) your needs may be different. If you go in winter you may need a jacket and maybe a scarf or hat.
Always take sunglasses. Wear light shows that can withstand stones and sand. Loose pants are better than jeans especially in the summer, but jeans or skinny jeans are also acceptable. No shorts or long skirts if you are planning to ride a camel or horse.
Can I wear Capris in Egypt?
The answer is simply yes, many Egyptian women do especially in Cairo and urban areas. Maybe pick colors other than white as it can get dirty very quickly. Only bottom clothes above the knees will attract undesired attention in Egypt
Recommended Packing List
My recommendations here are from personal experience after several years of travel with family, friends, and solo. You can decide how many pieces you need based on how long you are staying andon how frequent you like to change or wash clothes.
The advice I have for you here, is to take into consideration that Egypt is generally hot in summer, and relatively warm across year and you may need to change more frequently that you are used to especially with increased humidity and dust in some areas.
Form Men
TShirts
Underwear
Jeans
Shorts
Jacket (in winter)
Shirts
Long pants or trousers
Hats and caps
Tank Tops
Backpack
For Women
Shorts below the knees or Capris
Tank Top
Hats and caps
T-Shirt
Dresses
Skirts
Tunic Tops
Jeans
Leggings
Bras
Scarves
Jacket (for winters)
Tops
Cross Bag
Anti-Theft Back Pack
Walking or running Shoes
Beach shoes and flip flops
Leather or closed shoes
Conclusion
Apart from December and January, Egypt is hot! Whether you are looking for what to wear in Egypt in December or July, take breathable fabric clothes and light jackets. Leggings with tall tops are okay. Use sneakers or light sports shoes or runners.
Take some good breathable hats and sunglasses. Use sunscreen creams as needed. Cover your hair (for women) when visiting mosques or churches as this shows respect although not required by the law.
I do not recommend tank tops, hot shorts, or sleeveless tops or above knee bottoms for women. In resorts or hotels you can be more relaxed when it comes to clothing. Protect your handbags and jewelry when visiting crowded areas or markets.
