What to wear in Egypt: the pyramids, Cairo, mosques and each season

The short answer

What government travel advice says

We found no single Egyptian dress law for tourists. The advice below comes from three governments. We read it on 2 November 2026.

• UK. Dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs (markets). During Ramadan, follow local dress codes.
• Canada. Dress conservatively. For women, dresses to the knee or longer and long sleeves are preferable. Men should not wear shorts outside tourist areas.
• Australia. Smartraveller gives the same advice as Canada. It adds: "If in doubt, seek local advice."

"Conservative" clothes cover the shoulders and the knees. They are not tight and do not show much skin.

For safety advice from the same governments, read Is it safe to visit the pyramids?.

What to wear at the Giza pyramids

The Giza plateau is open desert. Most of the visit is outside, and you walk on sand and uneven stone.

• Clothes. Wear loose clothes in cotton or linen. Long, light pants or a long skirt protect your legs from the sun.
• Top. A shirt with sleeves protects your shoulders and arms from the sun. It also meets the advice to dress conservatively.
• Hat and sunglasses. Bring sunglasses and a hat with a wide brim. Put on sunscreen before you enter.
• Shoes. Wear closed shoes with a good grip. Sand gets into open sandals.
• Scarf. A light scarf protects your face and neck from sun and dust.

Enter early in the day, when the air is cooler. Every day, except Ramadan, you can enter from 07:00, last entry 16:00.

What to wear inside a pyramid

The inside of a pyramid needs a separate ticket. The passages are narrow, low and steep. You must bend for a long distance.

• Wear pants or a skirt that lets you bend and climb.
• Wear shoes with a good grip. Do not go in with sandals that are loose on your feet.
• Carry only a small bag. You need your hands free in the passages.
• Drink water before you go in.

Do not use flash inside a pyramid. Before you buy a ticket, read Inside the Great Pyramid.

What to wear in a mosque

Visitors can see mosques at the Cairo Citadel, such as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha.

The UK government tells visitors to dress modestly in mosques. The Irish government says that men and women are expected to cover their legs to below the knee in places of worship. It says that women are asked to cover their heads. It also says that places that many tourists visit offer coverings. You can also bring a large, light scarf.

We found no official Egyptian page with rules for visitors at a mosque. Use these points:

• Cover your shoulders and knees. This is for men and women.
• Women: bring a scarf to cover your hair.
• Visitors report that they remove their shoes at the door. Do this if the staff tell you to. If you do not want to walk with bare feet, bring socks.

Obey the instructions of the staff at the door. The rules can be different at each mosque.

What to wear at the Grand Egyptian Museum

The rules of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) say that visitors must wear appropriate clothes at all times. They do not say which clothes are appropriate. The rules also tell visitors not to remove their shoes. The museum gives these rules for bags and cameras:

• Put bags larger than 40 × 40 cm in the cloakroom.
• You cannot use flash, tripods, selfie sticks or drones.

If you visit the GEM and the pyramids on the same day, dress for the plateau. For tickets and hours, see the Grand Egyptian Museum page.

What to wear in each season

The temperatures below are averages for Cairo from 1981 to 2010. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority gives the data. For the full month-by-month table, read Best time to visit Egypt.

• November to March. The average high is 19 to 25 °C (66 to 76 °F). Wear long sleeves and long pants. Bring a light jacket.
• December to February. The average low is approximately 10 to 11 °C (49 to 52 °F). Bring a warm layer for the early morning and the evening.
• April and October. The average high is approximately 28 to 30 °C (83 to 86 °F). Wear light, loose clothes with sleeves.
• May to September. The average high is 32 to 35 °C (90 to 95 °F). Wear the lightest loose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Bring more water.

Rain in Cairo is rare in all months. You do not need a raincoat for most trips.

Ramadan

During Ramadan, the UK government says that clothes that do not meet local dress codes can cause more offense. Dress more conservatively during this month. The dates of Ramadan change each year. Check them before you travel.

Packing list (printable)

Use this list for a day at the Giza pyramids and in Cairo.

Clothes

• Loose pants or a long skirt in cotton or linen
• Shirts or tops that cover your shoulders
• A light scarf (for sun, dust and mosques)
• A light jacket or a warm layer (November to March)
• Socks for mosque visits

Shoes

• Closed shoes with a good grip for sand and stone

Sun

• A hat with a wide brim
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Water

Documents and tickets

• Your passport and your visa, or a paper or digital copy. The UK government says that police check ID regularly. They can detain you if you cannot show these.
• Your entry tickets. Keep each ticket with you during your visit.
• Your student ID, if you want the student price

Bag and camera

• A small bag (40 × 40 cm or smaller for the GEM)
• A phone for photos. Do not use flash inside a pyramid or a museum.

Leave at home

• A drone. The UK government says that you need permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Defence to bring or use one.
• A tripod or a selfie stick, if you visit the GEM

For the stops on the plateau and the tour options, see Pyramids of Giza tours.