What to Wear in Hurghada: Packing and Dress Code Guide

Standard European resort wear, including bikinis, swimsuits, swim shorts and sundresses, is completely acceptable around hotel swimming pools and private beaches. Hurghada's resort properties operate with relaxed, international holiday dress standards where guests can sunbathe and swim freely.

However, hotels maintain polite etiquette standards inside indoor restaurants, reception lobbies and bars. Guests are expected to put on dry clothing, such as a t-shirt, polo, or sundress, over their swimwear when leaving the pool area for lunch buffets. Walking through hotel corridors or dining rooms in wet swimwear without a shirt or cover-up is discouraged across all resort properties.

Dressing modestly when leaving resort boundaries demonstrates cultural respect and minimizes unwanted street attention in traditional neighbourhoods. Egypt is a conservative, predominantly Muslim society, and clothing norms outside international hotels reflect local cultural values.

When exploring the markets of El Dahar or walking along public shopping streets in Sakala, both men and women should wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers the shoulders and extends below the knees. Cotton shirts, linen trousers, maxi dresses and short-sleeved shirts are ideal. When visiting religious landmarks like the grand mosque on a Hurghada city tour, women are provided with an abaya and head covering at the door, and all visitors remove their shoes before entering.

Boat trips require practical sun-protective clothing, swimwear, and comfortable footwear suitable for wet boat decks and sandy island beaches. Spending seven to eight hours on the open sea means continuous exposure to ultraviolet radiation reflected from the water surface.

Key clothing items for full-day boat trips and visits to Orange Bay include:

• A high-SPF UV rash guard or swim shirt to protect your shoulders and back while snorkeling.
• A wide-brimmed sun hat or baseball cap secured against sea breezes.
• Polarized sunglasses with UV400 protection to reduce water glare.
• Slip-on boat shoes, sandals or water shoes for walking across hot wooden piers and island walkways.
• A light cotton long-sleeved shirt or cover-up for when you return from swimming into the shaded boat salon.

Riding quad bikes and buggies in the desert demands protective clothing to shield against airborne sand, solar exposure and engine heat. Driving across dusty trails throws up loose sand and gravel, while engine exhaust pipes on quad bikes radiate significant warmth near your lower legs.

Do not wear shorts, skirts or open sandals on motorized safaris. Instead, wear sturdy closed-toe trainers, socks, and comfortable long trousers such as jeans or durable cotton cargo pants. Bring sunglasses or tinted goggles to protect your eyes from dust. Bring a scarf or bandana, and our guides will assist in wrapping it securely around your face and neck before you begin driving to protect against flying dust.

While midday winter weather is warm and sunny, night temperatures drop sharply across the desert, requiring travellers to pack warm evening layers. Between December and February, daytime highs of 23 degrees Celsius can quickly fall to 12 degrees once the sun sets over the Red Sea mountains.

Holidaymakers travelling in winter should pack a medium-weight fleece, a denim jacket, or a light insulated windbreaker alongside a pair of full-length jeans or trousers. These warm evening layers are especially important if you plan to join an outdoor desert stargazing excursion, where night temperatures in open mountain valleys can feel brisk and breezy.

The table below summarizes recommended clothing, footwear and protective gear for various holiday activities across Hurghada.