What I Wore to the Pyramids of Giza
I debated for a long time about what to wear to the Pyramids of Giza since I wanted to be both comfortable and stylish for this adventure, as well as modest (Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country). I also knew there was a chance I’d be riding a camel before the day was over…
Now, this outfit was by no means perfect for this day! However, I am happy enough with how it worked out. In this article, I’ll share exactly what I wore to the Pyramids of Giza, and my top tips for choosing the perfect outfit for you when you visit them!
Note: I was in Egypt during May.
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Tips on What to Wear to the Pyramids of Giza
Egypt is a conservative country, so the clothes you wear should be based on that, and the fact that it gets really hot there! So, breathable fabrics and clothes that cover you well are top priorities.
Although there isn’t a particular dress code for Egypt (but again, the locals appreciate modest dressing), there are a few tips I’ve come up with that can help you decide what to wear to the pyramids. I’ll then share what I wore when I went there in May:
- Tops: Choose tops that are breathable, loose, and cover you well. This means avoiding tops that show your cleavage or stomach. Some linen or cotton t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, or loose flowy dresses would work great.
- Scarves: I also recommend keeping a long scarf or shawl with you when out and about in Egypt, even the Pyramids. You can wrap it around you if you feel the need to cover up to feel more comfortable or to get out of the sun. And if you’re headed to downtown Cairo or a mosque afterward, it’ll come in handy!
- Bottoms: Choose bottoms that are long enough to go past your knees. If wearing a dress, go for a long maxi dress, and for trousers, any loose long pants will work great, especially for a camel ride. I don’t recommend wearing shorts to the pyramids; in fact, don’t wear them anywhere, apart from beach resorts where shorts, cover-ups, and bikinis are perfectly acceptable.
- Shoes: Go for something comfortable! Walking shoes, sneakers, or sandals are ideal but I’d avoid flip-flops because they may not be comfortable since the sand is hot and difficult to walk on. This means a big no-no to high heels too!
- Sun Protection: I forgot to wear sunscreen while visiting the pyramids, and it was too windy for a hat, so it was the one day I got sunburned. That’s why I highly recommend wearing some sunscreen and sunglasses. A hat with a strap would be good too, as you’ll see I recommend down below.
To learn more about what to wear around Egypt, check out my Egypt packing list.
What I Wore to the Pyramids of Giza
The Dress
I ended up liking this particular dress so much, I have it in two other prints & colors! (It’s what I wore in Edfu and on our Nile Cruise.)
Note: This dress is currently sold out, but there are similar options here.
I liked the print on this particular one best, though. As my husband said, “It just looks like a good dress to wear by the Pyramids.”
Note: if you are visiting during winter, you will likely want a jacket or cardigan in addition to an outfit like this. It’ll be chillier!
It’s super comfy, and it also worked well in the weirdly windy conditions we were having that day. I didn’t have any wardrobe malfunctions either!
The slits are just high enough that you can ride a camel in this dress, but not flash the world. This is something I never realized I would need to care about, haha.
Dresses were my go-to outfits while visiting Egypt, and I wore them while visiting Abu Simbel and Aswan, and even Valley of the Kings in Luxor.
Sandals
I also wore my new favorite sandals for this adventure. They are super comfy and went with nearly everything I packed for this trip. (Just be sure to size up a half-size!)
The biggest thing to worry about when you get dressed for the pyramids is definitely your footwear. You’re going to want to wear your comfiest shoes as there is quite a bit of walking (as is the case for just about any other site in Egypt)!
Hat
For most of the day, it was, unfortunately, too windy to wear my hat. This was the one day on this trip that I got burnt as a result! (I completely forgot to reapply my sunscreen.)
I loved wearing this hat throughout this trip, but in hindsight, a hat with straps would have been a better idea.
Scarf
I wore these lightweight scarves for the majority of this trip in an effort to be more modest and also to prevent sunburn. This was the one day where wearing a scarf was also a pain in the butt, thanks to the wind.
Once I figured out how to tie it properly, though, I never ended up having it fly off again!
*Read my tips for visiting the Pyramids of Giza.
*Learn more about how to dress for the heat in Egypt.
*Consider reading all of my Egypt posts for more tips!
*You can also check out my entire packing list for Egypt as a woman.
*Also see my itinerary for how to spend 7 days in Egypt!
Hi, my name is Cathy. I’m visiting Egypt in a few days & have plans of visiting the pyramids. I’m planning on also wearing a dress & sandals. Thanks for the info about what to wear.
Oh wow! I’d love to visit the pyramids one day. Also this dress is beautiful ! Just added it to my amazon basket!
Aw, thank you so much! I hope you get the chance one day!
What a beautiful look. It’s light weight, but conservative. This is perfect for seeing the pyramids.
Thank you so much, Courtney!
Oh wow, I’d love to see the pyramids one day! I really like that maxi dress on you too and you looked stylish despite the wind! the camel ride would be so fun too! 🙂
Hope that you are having a wonderful weekend 🙂 It’s been a quiet one for us, with the rain!
I hope you get the chance one day! And thank you so much!
I can see why the pattern on this dress is your favorite! I love it!
Thank you!
I love reading these Lindsey, because you can learn so much about what to think about when you are traveling or spending days outside touring. Even if it’s not in Egypt!!
XOOX
Jodie
Thank you, Jodie! I’m so glad you enjoy these posts.