When Is The Best Time to Visit Egypt?

Vacationing in Egypt is very popular at any time of the year with plenty of places to visit, and memories to make that will last a lifetime. Add to this great beaches, warm turquoise waters, and a hot sunny climate, and you're guaranteed that your trip to Egypt will be a trip of a lifetime.

When is the best time to travel to Egypt to make sure your Egypt vacation goes as planned?

Egypt is a very vast country with various locations and different climatic zones. This country has a subtropical desert climate, outside the Mediterranean zone. Summer and Winter are the only two seasons that are defined in Egypt. The difference between the Egypt seasons is the temperature level that occurs during the day and nights, and the wind directions. The sun will still shine almost everyday no matter what season you're in.

Egyptians believe they have a short spring from mid-March to late April. Every year they mark the Spring Festival, named Sham El-Nessim, which translated means 'sniffing the breeze.' The Spring Festival is celebrated on the same day as Coptic Orthodox Easter Monday.

The relatively mild Egyptian winter lasts from mid-November to mid-March. And from the second half of March to the middle of November it is summer. In summer, which lasts for almost seven months, the majority of the country is sunny, warm and dry. There are, however, occasional rains, especially in the Nile Delta, which can appear almost from nowhere and change your plans. In Alexandria, 225 km north of Cairo, it rains frequently, especially in Winter (December–March).

January is the coldest month in Egypt, and August is the warmest. In January the days are cool and the nights can be cold. If you're taking a trip to Egypt at this time of year, you'll need to make sure that you have warm clothing with you. August is the height of Summer and the temperatures can be hot. Cool light cottons, and linen are the best materials to wear, and water is required as an essential item to have with you at all times during your Egypt vacation.

The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April when there is no extremely hot weather, but still pleasantly warm across the country. However, conditions vary in different parts of the country so make sure that you pack for all eventualities when traveling throughout the country on your Egypt vacation. High season in Egypt is December to February, especially during Christmas and New Year.

Winter Warmers

The summers in Cairo are long, hot, and cloudless, and the winters are cool and almost cloudless. Throughout the year, the temperature ranges from 50 °F to 95 °F (from 10°C to 35°C). The minimum temperature you'll find is around   46.4 °F (8°C) in January and the top temperature will hit close to 102.2 °F (39°C) in the hottest month of August.

The temperature in Cairo begins to drop throughout October. The end of December and January in Cairo can be windy, cloudy and cool. The temperature during the day is 64.4-68 °F (18-20°C) and during trips to the city a jacket will be useful, especially in the morning and in the evening when it can be cold. At night the temperature can drop to 46.4 °F (8°C). Houses all over Egypt, and some hotels have no central heating. Cold weather lasts around two and a half months, and it is not profitable to install a heating system for such a short period. On very cool evenings, Egyptians warm themselves up with electric heaters, oil heaters and air conditioning on a heat setting. Warm sweatshirts, cardigans and long-sleeved pajamas will definitely come in handy during this time. 

Book Your Luxury Egypt Tour

The best time to embark on a Cairo city tour, especially to take advantage of the outdoor attractions, is on a clear day when the temperature is between 64.4 °F and 80.6 °F (between 18°C and 27°C). Therefore, the best time to visit Cairo would be during the spring, from late February to late April or fall months of October to early December, when it's warm and comfortable and not too hot as well as the attractions aren't too crowded. It is commonly believed that the second week of November is the best time to visit Cairo.

When is the best time of year to cruise along the Nile River?

In Luxor and Aswan and other cities in the south of Egypt (Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo), summers are long, hot, dry and cloudless. Winters are short, cool, dry and almost cloudless. Throughout the year, the temperature ranges from 44.6 °F to 107.6 °F (from 7°C to 42°C). The lowest temperature will be in January and it rarely drops below 39.2 °F (4°C). The hottest temperature will be in August and will get up to 113 °F (45°C).

The hottest summer months, such as July and August when it is very hot, is the cheapest season to take a long cruise along the Nile River. The period of Christmas and New Year, as well as Easter are usually the busiest and the most expensive. The best time to take a cruise on the Nile would be from late January to early April and late October to mid-December. These Egypt seasons provide ideal temperatures ranging from mild to warm, perfect for swimming on one of the most famous rivers in the world. The time of year when most people arrange a tour of Luxor or Aswan would be the second half of November. 

You will find that there is a huge temperature range, which is particularly felt inland, in the Egyptian deserts. The greatest temperature contrasts occur there, with differences of more than 20°C between the day and night. The temperature variation here is enormous, from biting cold to burning heat. You can book one of our 14-day Egypt tour that usually take place on the mildest seasons. 

A Spring in Your Step

A phenomenon of the Egyptian climate are the hot winds that blow across the country during the springtime, from March to May. These winds can make the weather changeable. Hot, dry winds blowing from the south or southwest for about 50 days called khamsin, cause a sharp rise in temperature that can be extreme (up to twenty degrees). The winds also carry large amounts of sand and dust from the desert, reducing visibility. Don't let that put you off visiting Egypt! It's not a constant sandstorm, but rather short blasts that can last from a few hours to a full day.

Summer's a Scorcher

Temperatures in Egypt begin to rise throughout May. In summer, the maximum temperature in the Egyptian capital reaches 102.2 °F (39°C) in August and many Cairo residents then travel to the Mediterranean Sea, especially to Alexandria, where the temperature is around 46.4 °F (8°C) lower, but is also extremely stuffy due to high humidity. In the summer months, visiting the cities south of the capital is not ideal, as the temperature during the day approaches or even exceeds 104 °F (40°C). This is the same when staying in the oases of the Western Desert or touring Siwa and other oases, where the summer heat can be even more severe.

If you do choose to visit Egypt during the summer time, sightseeing visits should be limited to early mornings and evenings. You also need to protect yourself from the sun, and take care to stay hydrated.

Life's a Beach

If your vacation takes in the beaches along the Red Sea, you'll find that even the summer months are pleasant. It can be a little chilly in late December, January, and February so remember to pack suitable layers. The best time for beach-goers to visit Egypt is between March and May or September and November. However, famous resorts on your trip to Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh are vibrant with sunshine and life all year round.

Extreme Adventure

If we are going to visit the Sinai Peninsula and climb higher mountain peaks, for example to the famous Mount Sinai (2,285 m, 7,497 ft), also called Mount Moses, in the winter months, you'll need to prepare yourself for the cold  after dusk as the temperatures drop close to 32 °F (0°C), or sometimes even below 32 °F (0°C). Winter jackets, hats, scarves will be useful and gloves along with warmer shoes for hiking in the mountains.

Beat the Crowds on Your Visit to Egypt

There are certain times of the year when Egypt has more tourists visiting than others.Tourists, especially from Europe, flock to Egypt throughout the year but there are some times of the year that are busier than others.These are at the start and end of summer (late May–June and end of August–early September), during Christmas, New Year and Easter. These are great times to visit but if you can visit just outside of these periods it's ideal weather and will allow you to escape some of the crowds.

So, if you are planning your trip to Egypt late March–early April and late September–November these are great times to make the best of what Egypt has to offer and you won't have to worry about there being big crowds everywhere you go.

Ramadan - The Holy Month

Along with the weather, there's one other thing that you need to consider when planning your trip to Egypt. You want to choose the best time to make your Egypt vacation as comfortable and rewarding as possible.

When is the best time to visit Egypt to experience Islamic traditions?

If you visit during the holy month of Ramadan, you will experience the Islamic traditions first hand. The holy month lasts 29 or 30 days, with the dates changing every year, as they depend on the cycles of the moon (approx. dates: April 3rd - May 2nd, 2022; March 23rd - April 20th, 2023; March 11th- April 10th, 2024).

Most Egyptian people are fasting through the day at this time so you need to understand that there may be some interruptions to your travel schedule. Many monuments open slightly later than usual and are open for a shorter period. This is the same for restaurants, markets and stores. Life in Egypt has a completely different rhythm during the holy month, with the city coming alive at night until the early hours of the morning.

The opportunity to witness Ramadan in action, and be there to celebrate with the Egyptian people is an insightful and fulfilling experience. Look on as hundreds or thousands of worshippers descend on local mosques for evening prayers then spill out into city streets to enjoy their iftar (breaking of the fast) meal.

Eid al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, is a three-day festival in Egypt to celebrate the end of fasting, and many people gather on the streets to celebrate together with family and friends.

While there may be a different pace to the day during this time in Egypt, it's definitely a positive eye-opening cultural experience that you should see with your own eyes.

Click to find more about other Egyptian festivals and celebrations. 

Now you know the Egypt seasons and weather patterns in the Land of the Pharaohs, you can decide when is the best time to go to Egypt for you. If you're a sunworshipper, the hot summer months will be perfect for you, but if you prefer being comfortable when sightseeing, the fall months are perfect.

Whenever you're looking to visit Egypt, we'll be waiting for you! Book Your Egypt Vacations Now!