How to Dress When Travelling in Egypt?
14 Sep 11 Filed in: Tips & Advice
Egyptians for the most part are quite conservative on top of being religious with about 15% being Christian and about 85% being Muslim. Even though they tolerate the foreigners dressing skimpier, it is wise to not wear clothes that are too provocative in nature, if nothing else so people won't stare at your fashion statement. It is better to wear jeans or pants in place of shorts because that is what most tourists wear.
When Going Out
In modern restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and hotels in Alexandria, Cairo, and various tourist spots you will see a less restrictive dress code.
Social and official functions and the more upscale restaurants normally call for a more formal dress code.
At the Tourist Sites
When visiting the pyramids at Giza and other tourist sites in the hot months of summer make sure to wear tops or shirts with short sleeves, they are acceptable for the women, even more so when they are in a group. Women should have a scarf with them to cover their heads when going back and forth between sites though. It is also fine for the women to use sandals for shoes in the hot months of summer.Women Travelling Alone
Women need to have their legs and arms covered when traveling by themselves, and the hair should be covered too so you do not get unsolicited attention. You may get enough attention just by being a foreigner, regardless what you have on, most of it will only be stares, but you may get some harassment verbally, which you need to ignore if at all possible.Harassment
The Egyptian women are eve subjected to cat calls and sexual harassment, even if they are in a full hijab. You may not see any difference on covering up or having short sleeve on, as far as the harassment goes. But it is important how you react to the harassment. Traveling with a group helps though many times, and it is usually best just to ignore the men who are showing you attention you do not want. They are trying to get some kind of reaction from you, don't give it to them.