The best time to visit Egypt is from October to April, when days are warm and sunny and nights are cool. The sweet spots are October–November and March–April: warm enough for the Red Sea, comfortable at the temples, and a little quieter than the December–January peak. Summer (June to August) is very hot in Cairo and the Nile Valley, but it’s a good time for the Red Sea coast, where the water is at its warmest. Here’s the year month by month, place by place, with the key 2027 dates.
Planning a trip? Start with our complete Egypt travel guide, our Egypt travel tips and Is Egypt safe to visit?
The quick answer
- Best overall: October to April, warm days and cool nights across the country.
- Best balance of weather and crowds: October–November and March–April.
- Busiest: late December to early January, and the spring holidays.
- Hottest: June to August, when Luxor and Aswan reach 40 °C (104 °F) or more.
- Best for the Red Sea: May to October, with the warmest water from July to September.
Egypt weather month by month
Average daytime highs. Egypt is dry almost everywhere: south of Cairo it hardly ever rains.
| Month | Cairo | Luxor & Aswan | Red Sea (air / water) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 °C / 66 °F | 23 °C / 74 °F | 22 °C / 22 °C |
| February | 21 °C / 69 °F | 25–26 °C / 78 °F | 24 °C / 21 °C |
| March | 24 °C / 75 °F | 27–30 °C / 84 °F | 26 °C / 21 °C |
| April | 28 °C / 82 °F | 35 °C / 95 °F | 30 °C / 22 °C |
| May | 32 °C / 90 °F | 39 °C / 102 °F | 34 °C / 24 °C |
| June | 35 °C / 95 °F | 41 °C / 106 °F | 36 °C / 26 °C |
| July | 35 °C / 95 °F | 41–42 °C / 107 °F | 37 °C / 27 °C |
| August | 35 °C / 95 °F | 40–42 °C / 106 °F | 38 °C / 28 °C |
| September | 33 °C / 92 °F | 39–40 °C / 103 °F | 35 °C / 27 °C |
| October | 30 °C / 86 °F | 35–36 °C / 96 °F | 32 °C / 26 °C |
| November | 25 °C / 77 °F | 29–30 °C / 85 °F | 28 °C / 25 °C |
| December | 21 °C / 69 °F | 24 °C / 75 °F | 24 °C / 23 °C |
Red Sea figures are for Hurghada; Luxor and Aswan figures are rounded from long-term averages. Nights in the desert and in winter can be much cooler than these highs.
Egypt’s seasons
Winter (December to February): peak season
Sunny days of about 19–25 °C (66–77 °F) make winter the most comfortable time for sightseeing, especially in Luxor and Aswan. It’s also the busiest and most expensive season, with a peak over Christmas and New Year. Nights are chilly, particularly in the desert and on Mount Sinai, so pack a warm layer. Cairo gets most of its little rain in winter. For ideas, see our guide to winter in Egypt.
Spring (March to May): warm, with occasional dust
March and April are lovely, warm but not yet hot. From March to June, Egypt can get the khamsin, a hot, dry wind from the desert that brings dust and haze for a day or two at a time. By May, Luxor and Aswan are hot again. Sham el-Nessim, Egypt’s spring festival, fills parks and gardens with families.
Summer (June to August): hot inland, great at the coast
Cairo reaches about 35 °C (95 °F) and Luxor and Aswan 40 °C (104 °F) or more. You can still visit: start at sunrise, rest in the middle of the day and go out again in the evening. Summer is the best time for the Red Sea coast, with water around 26–28 °C (79–82 °F), and the Mediterranean coast around Alexandria is popular with Egyptian families.
Fall (September to November): a sweet spot
Temperatures fall through September and October, the sea stays warm, and crowds build only toward late November. October and November are among the best months for a trip that combines the Nile and the Red Sea.
The best time for each place
- Cairo and Giza: October to April. In summer, visit the pyramids at opening time. See our Pyramids of Giza guide.
- Luxor and Aswan: November to March, when it’s warm rather than scorching. A Nile cruise is at its best in these months. See things to do in Luxor.
- The Red Sea (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam): April to November for warm water; winter is sunny but the sea is cooler, around 21–22 °C (70–72 °F).
- Dahab and Sinai: spring and fall are ideal. In winter, the Mount Sinai sunrise climb is bitterly cold at the top, so bring warm clothes. See things to do in Dahab.
- Siwa and the White Desert: October to April. Summer is extremely hot, and winter nights in the desert are cold. See our Siwa Oasis guide.
- Alexandria: spring, summer and fall. Winter can be windy and rainy on the Mediterranean coast.
Festivals and holidays in 2027
- January 7: Coptic Christmas, celebrated by Egypt’s Christians with midnight services.
- February 22 and October 22: the Abu Simbel sun festival. At sunrise, the sun shines deep into the Great Temple of Ramesses II and lights up the statues in its inner sanctuary.
- About February 8 to March 9, 2027: Ramadan (expected dates, which depend on the moon), followed by Eid al-Fitr.
- May 3, 2027: Sham el-Nessim, the spring festival, on the Monday after Coptic Easter.
- Around May 16, 2027: Eid al-Adha (expected), a major holiday when Egyptians travel and the Red Sea resorts fill up.
- Late December to early January: Christmas and New Year, the busiest time for international visitors. See our guide to Christmas in Egypt.
Visiting during Ramadan
Ramadan is a wonderful time to see Egyptian life: streets are hung with lanterns, families gather for iftar at sunset, and Cairo stays awake late into the night. Sites stay open, though hours can be shorter, and some restaurants close during the day. Be discreet about eating, drinking and smoking in public in daylight. Read our full guide to Ramadan in Egypt.
Crowds and booking ahead
- Book early for Christmas, New Year, Easter and the Eid holidays, especially Nile cruises and Red Sea hotels.
- Quieter months: May and September offer good value, with heat as the trade-off.
- Beat the crowds at any time of year by arriving at major sites when they open, when it’s coolest and calmest.
Local-guided experiences
A few of the experiences our hosts run in the best months:
Luxor: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
Float over the temples, tombs and fields of Luxor’s West Bank as the sun comes up, with Hassan Tayea.
Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise: 4 Nights, 5 Days
Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at the great temples along the way, with a local guide.
White Desert, Djara Cave & Desert Camping
Two days and a night in the Western Desert with Sameh Muhammed: the chalk formations of the White Desert, Djara Cave and a night under the stars.
Find a local guide: meet our local guides in Egypt.
Best time to visit Egypt FAQ
What is the best month to visit Egypt?
October, November, March and April offer the best balance: warm, sunny days, cool nights and fewer crowds than the December–January peak.
Is it too hot to visit Egypt in summer?
Luxor and Aswan reach 40 °C (104 °F) or more from June to August, so sightseeing is best at sunrise and in the evening. Summer is a great time for the Red Sea, where the water is warmest.
When is the best time to see the pyramids?
From October to April, and at opening time in the morning, when it’s coolest and quietest.
When is the best time for a Nile cruise?
November to March, when the Nile Valley is warm rather than hot. Cruises run all year.
Does it rain in Egypt?
Very little. Cairo gets a few rainy days in winter, and the Mediterranean coast around Alexandria is wetter, but south of Cairo it almost never rains.
When is the Abu Simbel sun festival?
Every February 22 and October 22, when the rising sun lights up the statues in the temple’s inner sanctuary.
Is it a good idea to visit Egypt during Ramadan?
Yes, if you don’t mind shorter opening hours and fewer daytime restaurants. The evenings, with iftar and lantern-lit streets, are a highlight. Ramadan 2027 is expected from about February 8 to March 9.
Sources
- Climate of Egypt (Wikipedia) — Cairo and Luxor averages, rainfall, khamsin winds
- Aswan (Wikipedia) and Hurghada (Wikipedia) — monthly air and sea temperatures
- The National — Abu Simbel solar alignment
- Wikimedia Commons — photographs credited in each caption
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