This guide may contain affiliate links. At no cost to you, they allow me to provide these free and, even if I do say so myself, expert guides based on almost two years of travel in Africa. For a broader view, don’t miss my complete guide to travel in Africa.
When is the best time to visit Egypt? Can you go to Egypt all year round? Both are important questions to answer when considering a trip to the world’s first tourist destination!
Tourist numbers tend to peak between May and June and again as August becomes September. But is this the best time to visit Egypt? Whether you’re looking for the best time to go on a Nile cruise in Luxor or the top month for a visit to Egypt’s ancient treasures, I’ve got all you need to know right here!
What is Egypt’s climate like?
Take a look at a map of Egypt (or Mesr as its known in Arabic) and you’ll see it’s deserts that dominate. There’s the Libyan Desert, Western Desert, Eastern Desert and Sinai Desert.
It’s understandable then that almost all of Egypt’s 90 million people live along the Nile river valley. It’s also understandable that Egypt sees an awful lot of sun and very little rain. It is the world’s driest and sunniest country – great news for sun worshippers!
Although claiming to have a winter – you’ll see Egyptians in coats from October to March – Egypt is rarely truly cold.
Egypt’s winters don’t see much rain either, except for a narrow band of land on the Mediterranean coast.
Quick view – the best time to visit Egypt
For me, the best time to visit Egypt are the months of March to May and September to November. Visit Egypt during these months and you’ll avoid the extreme heat of summer and cooler winter temperatures.
During these spring and autumn months you can expect sunny skies across the country, from Aswan and Alexandria to Taba and northern Sinai.
Any average day promises a minimum of ten hours of sunshine. Rain is a rarity. In Cairo and the north, temperatures average 16°C (61°F) in March and 22°C (72°F) in May.
Highs top out at 26°C (79°F), ensuring it’s never too hot for exploring the Pyramids of Giza. Temperatures are basically reversed in autumn. September has average temperatures of 22°C and November around 16°C.
In the far south, in destinations including Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, 22°C is the lowest you can expect. Average highs hit 28°C (82°F) and daily peaks can push over 30°C (86°F).
Red Sea destinations such as Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Taba are two or three degrees hotter again. Snorkelling and diving are best from April until December, when water temperatures are in the mid-twenties Celsius (around 75°F) and storms rare.
Negatives of visiting Egypt in spring
The spring months see the arrival of the hot khamaseen wind. It rips across cities for a couple of hours at a time, and can put substantial amounts of sand into the air too.
Over the next couple of years, the spring is also the time of Ramadan – the Muslim month of daytime fasting.
For its 28 day length, many restaurants will be closed during daylight hours. Others will put up screens to block diners being seen by fasters. Some bars close entirely for the period. Many businesses and attractions have shorter working and opening hours.
This can make some travellers to Egypt feel uncomfortable. I enjoyed my time during Ramadan in Egypt because of the festival atmosphere that develops after dark. Just be aware taxis can be hard to find towards dusk as drivers head home to mark the occasion with family.
In 2024, Ramadan dates are 10 March – 9 April. In 2025, this shifts to 28 February – 30 March.
Is summer a good time to visit Egypt?
The summer months (i.e. June to August) are a popular time to visit Egypt because of the long school holidays in Europe and North America. However, the summer is not necessarily the best time to visit Egypt.
The simple fact of the matter is that Egypt gets incredibly hot in summer. Even in the cooler north of Egypt, visitors should be prepared for temperatures of 30-35°C (86-95°F). In Cairo, there’s the added issue of high levels of humidity, which can make exploration of its attractions uncomfortable.
Head down to the south of the country, and you shouldn’t be surprised by temperatures of 40°C (104°F) in Aswan and around. At this temperature, doing anything during the middle of the day is all but impossible.
Is winter the best time to go to Egypt?
If you’re not a fan of high temperatures, you might be looking at the winter months as a good time to visit Egypt.
In the low season, there can be some excellent deals as hotels try and fill their rooms. The main downside isn’t the drop in temperatures – with lows of 10°C (50°F) and averages of 20°C (68°F) – but cloud.
Egypt’s skies are often overcast during the winter months, creating a muted colour and ambience over the big attractions.
Alexandria in particular can also be quite wet. The city on the Nile delta sees around ten days per month in the winter with some rain. There’s between 50 and 60 mm (2-2.5 inches) in both December and January, the wettest months of the year in Egypt.
It’s also worth noting that as a predominantly Muslim country, Christmas in Egypt isn’t celebrated to any great degree.
You’re unlikely to see Christmas decorations outside of international hotels and the country’s Orthodox Coptic Christian churches.
What to pack for Egypt
When packing for Egypt, think sunny and hot. Casual clothing in light colours is the way to go, although paler shades do get dirtier quicker at dusty archaeological sites.
Protection from the sun, in the form of a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen is a must whichever month you visit Egypt.
Depending on the time of year, you might also want a bring a summer sweater or light jacket in case the evenings become cool. While you should be fine in Aswan, the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, as well as the banks of the Nile, can get a little chilly.
If you’re heading to the beach, beyond the obvious swimwear picks you’ll also want something you can throw on top. That way you’ll avoid offending local sensibilities when away from the sand. Wearing a bikini or walking around topless (men and women) isn’t usually welcome.
For more on what to expect culturally, check out my guide to Egypt.
Choosing the best time to visit Egypt
It’s possible to visit Egypt at any time of year. But for the best time to go to Egypt, you’re generally looking at the spring or autumn.
Pingback: Unusual things to do in Cairo in 2023 - Encircle Africa