EgyptBest Time to Visit

Egypt is geographically diverse and culturally rich enough to be enjoyed throughout the calendar year. During the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, which is when many of its cultural and religious festivals are held, temperatures are cooler but still pleasantly warm all over the country. This makes exploring the busy streets of Cairo and Alexandria, visiting the Pyramids in the desert and exploring ancient Pharaonic tombs even in the deep south more comfortable and enjoyable. Winter daytime highs in the southern city of Aswan, for instance, average 24°C (75°F).

The resorts along the Red Sea provide beachgoers and scuba divers with year-round appeal, although the sea can get chilly in winter. The average daytime high in the shoulder seasons of fall and spring is 32°C (89°F).

Without equivocation, summer throughout the country is invariably scorching, with some areas reaching 45°C (113°F) or more. If you do visit in summer, consider spending the hottest parts of the day in an air-conditioned museum or sitting in the shade on a breezy Nile cruiser. Above all, bring plenty of sun protection and stay hydrated.

When is the ideal time to visit Egypt?

The best time to visit Cairo and key Nile sites is between October and April, when tourist crowds may be larger but the weather is lovely. For the Red Sea, late spring and early autumn are ideal times to go.

When is Egypt’s peak tourist season?

Peak tourist season across Egypt lasts from mid-October to mid-February, so expect major attractions to be busy during these months. However, the country is especially busy around the traditional festive season in late December as well in early January, when many in Egypt celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7.

Which is the most affordable time to visit Egypt?

The low season or summer months (May to August) are the least expensive times to visit Egypt, but there’s a reason for this: the country can be extremely hot in the summer. For a more temperate yet still affordable experience, consider the shoulder months of March, April and September, when temperatures are cooler and the crowds at major attractions are also a little sparser.

How long should I plan to visit Egypt?

To get a comprehensive and immersive experience of what Egypt has to offer, a minimum of 10 to 12 days is generally recommended. This gives visitors ample time to explore Cairo and Giza, travel to and from key sites on the Nile by air or boat and get in some much-needed downtime in between.

Staying a full two weeks or more would further allow you to linger a little longer in Luxor, make a jaunt to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast or go on a trek in the Sinai.

Visitors to the Red Sea tend to spend one to two weeks there, basking in the sun and scuba diving in resort towns such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada. Often, resort-goers fly directly into these places, but Cairo and Giza aren’t far away and shouldn’t be missed; both can be visited on (prearranged) day trips.