Egypt welcomes visitors with its mighty Nile and magnificent sights, enchanting desert and lush delta, as well as its long past and legendary history.
With sand-covered tombs, strict pyramids and tall temples of the pharaohs, Egypt awakens in each of us a researcher. When you start planning your trip to this ancient land, use this handy monthly guide to choose the best time to visit Egypt.
High season: from October to February.
The best time to see the sights at a mild temperature
While most of the northern hemisphere trembles and is wrapped in heavy coats, winter in Egypt is mostly sunny and warm, with very infrequent rains, although the Mediterranean coast may have cool and gloomy days. Unheated hotels by the sea can be a real chill, especially in raw Alexandria. The winter months in Egypt are the peak of the tourist season, so expect high accommodation prices, especially between Christmas and New Year, when many European families are away from the cold.
Shoulder season: from March to May, from September to October.
The best time for walks without the crowd
In the spring and autumn months, crowds of tourists in Egypt are smaller. Spring from time to time brings dust storms that can disrupt flights. Summer heat can last until October, making it a great time for more leisurely walks and sightseeing. The shores of the Mediterranean and Red Seas promise warm waters, and you don’t have to get up early to cover your plot in the sand.
Low season: from June to August.
The best time to cool off on the beach
The scorching summer sun means that only the most persistent tourists visit the Western Desert and southern Egypt, where the average high temperature is 42 ° C. The summer months in the Mediterranean are high seasons, when the weather is cooler than anywhere else, but the coast is crowded and it is difficult to find hotel rooms.
January
In most of Egypt, winter means pleasant days, ideal for sightseeing, but cool nights, especially in unheated hotel rooms. Alexandria and the Mediterranean coast may be a little rainy, but precipitation is rare in other parts of the country.
Key events: Cairo International Book Fair, Egyptian Marathon.
February
Mild winter temperatures persist and are the perfect time of year to visit southern Egypt. Popular cities such as Aswan and Luxor are crowded, as are the beaches of the Red Sea.
Key events: Ascension of Ramses II
March
On warm days, winds blow, especially anchovies, a hot southern current that causes periodic intense sandstorms lasting several hours. Keep this in mind when booking travel from March to early May.
Key events: D-CAF
April
April is the season for travelers, and archeological excavations are beginning to be emptied. Ramadan will take place in April 2022 (moving to March 2023). During the holy month of fasting, daytime activity slows down even more than usual in warm weather.
Key events: Ramadan, Shamm Al Nassim, El Limbo, 3alganoob
May
Summer is approaching, and warming is beginning in Egypt. Most travelers have left the domestic tourist attractions, so now is a quiet time to visit the temples of Egypt if you can handle the heat, especially in the south.
Key events: Eid al-Adha, Mulid Abu al-Haggaga.
June
By the end of the month, the heat is in full swing, so visiting the sights becomes an extremely tedious activity.
Key events: International Cairo Biennale
July
July is the hottest month of the year in Egypt. Crowds are few, and costs are reduced, except on the coast, where temperatures are much lower. If you can cope with the heat, look for good deals on flights and hotels in the interior of Egypt.
Key events: Eid al-Adha
August
August is the main holiday period in Egypt. Expect beach areas, especially along the Mediterranean, to be crowded. It’s so hot all over the country that you can feel your eyes burning. Life usually happens after sunset.
September
The temperature in Egypt is starting to fall, but September is still hot. Towards the end of the month, when the thermometer column continues to fall, this can be a great time to go swimming on the coast and sightseeing in the cities.
October
When the summer heat finally subsides, students return to school, and the cultural calendar is gaining momentum again, especially in Cairo. October is an ideal time to travel, with good weather and a small number of other visitors.
Key events: Birth of Ramses, Cairo International Festival of Experimental Theater, Siai, Mulid Sayed Al Badawi, Mulid An Nabi
November
When the air is a little cool, restaurants begin to offer more hearty stews, and visitors begin to gather to enjoy the ruins and beaches at moderate temperatures.
Key events: Arab Music Festival
December
December is the time when winter tourism reaches its peak, as visitors are filled with the winter sun and sightseeing. You can see an amazing amount of Santa Claus kitsch.
Key events: Cairo International Film Festival