How to navigate Egyptian customs and culture

I remember as clear as day the reactions from my friends and family when I told them I was going to Egypt. They went along the lines of very emotional and genuine goodbyes because people thought they might never see me again. 

It might sound dramatic, but Egypt often gets painted as a dangerous destination full of scammers. In reality, though, that couldn’t be further from my own experience. After traveling extensively and living there on and off, I’ve found Egypt to be full of warmth, beauty, and generosity — not danger.

Egyptians are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Most are genuinely curious, eager to connect, and always ready to lend a hand. So, don’t be afraid to get talking and say yes to that cup of tea. You might just end up meeting your new best friend.

From my two years living in Egypt, I’ve learned a lot. To save you the trial and error, I’m sharing everything I’ve discovered about Egyptian culture, traditions, and the etiquette expected from tourists.

Greeting ettiquette in Egypt

Generally speaking, Egyptians are incredibly understanding when it comes to foreigners not knowing all the ins and outs of their culture. There’s so much depth and nuance here — more than any blog post or Google search could ever teach you. 

So first and foremost, give yourself some grace. You’re not expected to know everything, and that’s okay. What matters most is being open, respectful, and willing to learn. With that mindset, you’re setting yourself up for a truly beautiful experience in Egypt.

My biggest piece of advice when meeting someone new in Egypt is to let them take the lead. As a Muslim-majority country, social norms can be quite conservative, but customs and boundaries will vary from person to person.

Can men and women shake hands?

Some people have welcomed me with a warm hug, while others have chosen to forgo even a handshake. It's believed by some that unrelated men and women should avoid any physical contact, including a handshake.

The key is to follow their cues and respect their comfort level.

Is public displays of affection allowed in Egypt?

Public displays of affection (PDA) are generally frowned upon in Egypt, particularly between unmarried couples or in more conservative areas.  A quick hug between friends of the same gender is considered normal, but kissing, prolonged hugging, or any overt romantic gestures in public are viewed as inappropriate.

That being said, the cultural customs in Egypt are changing and it is becoming more common to see couples holding hands or hugs between different genders.

Learn some Arabic

Not learning Arabic is number one on our what not to do in Egypt list. It will help immensely if you try to learn some Arabic. A few simple phrases like sabah el fol (good morning), shokran (thank you), and hamam fein (where is the bathroom?) will help you gain the respect of the people you are talking to.

Pro tip: learning the numbers will help to make haggling in markets approximately 8735484948% easier.

Consider joining Stay WIld Travel's Wonders of Egypt group tour to get your own personal tour guide/Arabic teacher/new best friend/hidden gems expert, all in one.

What's the tipping culture in Egypt?

Tipping is very much a thing in Egypt. You'll definitely want to have some small notes like 5s, 10s and 20s available as you don't want to get caught with only a 200 EGP note and someone claiming they don't have any change.

Expect to tip in restaurants and cafes or if you use a tour guide. If you use a public toilet, someone is likely to ask you for 5-10 EGP.

Pro tip: Unless you're happy to pay, don't let anyone carry your bag, even if it seems like they're genuinely trying to help. There's a high chance they'll ask for a tip afterwards.

Travel tips on how to dress in Egypt as a woman

One of the simplest ways to show respect for Egyptian culture is through the way you dress.

Egypt is a fairly conservative country, and that’s often reflected in the modest way locals dress. While foreigners aren’t expected to follow the same standards to a tee, it’s still important to be respectful and make an effort. 

How you dress can also vary dramatically based on where you are in Egypt. For example, I dress much more conservatively when I am in Cairo than when I am in the beach towns on the Red Sea. If you are in doubt, take inspiration from how people dress around you, and always err on the side of modesty.

What to wear as a woman in Egypt

As a guide, I always cover my knees and shoulders in more conservative parts of Egypt. This usually looked like linen pants and a flowy linen button-down, but anything you have will work. 

A lot of people will wear long pants and a T-shirt. Try to stay away from anything too form-fitting like leggings or crop tops and stick to softer, looser fabrics. Egypt also has some insane markets, so go crazy until you find something that makes you feel covered and confident.

Still not sure on what to pack? We've put together the ultimate packing list for Egypt.

How to set boundaries and stay safe in Egypt

It is guaranteed that you will receive a lot of attention as a foreign woman. People will constantly try to talk to you, take photos of you, or ask to follow you on social media. The attention is usually rooted in friendliness and curiosity, but it can still feel overwhelming at times.

A piece of advice I think every woman should know: Egypt is not the place for people pleasing! Your boundaries are important no matter where you are in the world, and nobody has the right to break them. 

It's okay to say no

When I first came to Egypt, this was the hardest thing for me. I didn’t want to offend anyone or seem rude. But I quickly realized that the only times I ended up in uncomfortable situations were when I allowed someone to cross my boundaries. So I had to learn to say no and stand my ground—and to this day, that’s the most valuable skill I’ve gained.

So, take this as your permission to say no to things when you feel uneasy. No matter how innocent someone’s intentions may be when they approach you, there is nothing rude about saying, “Please leave me alone; you are making me uncomfortable.” 

From my experience, this explicit approach works whether someone is talking to you on the street, in a restaurant, or anywhere else. You would be surprised how quickly people tend to back away when you are clear about how they are making you feel.

Respect Egyptian culture and have fun

The key takeaway I want you to have is that Egypt is an incredible and diverse country with some of the best people you will ever meet, landscapes you will see, and experiences you will have. 

The only thing you can do is try your best, and that’s all that anyone expects from you. So, educate yourself, learn some of the language and keep reading about the customs. 

But most importantly, embrace the fact that you cannot know everything. Be open to making mistakes, learning, and making some of your life's best memories!

Join Stay Wild on their Wonders of Egypt group trip, where you'll be accompanied the entire time by an awesome local guide who will give you the best crash course in navigating Egyptian customs and culture.