Climate reference
Egypt weather and the best time to visit, by region
The short answer
October to April is the comfortable window for sightseeing in Cairo and the Nile Valley, and December to February is the coolest part of it. Luxor and Aswan are the hottest stops on the usual route, so they should decide your dates more than Cairo does. The coasts work differently: the Mediterranean is at its best in summer, while the Red Sea and South Sinai are visited all year and are easiest on shore in spring and autumn.
Season by season, region by region
Egypt’s tourism ministry describes two main seasons with short transitions: a mild winter from November to April and a hot, dry summer from May to October, cooler and more humid on the Mediterranean and less humid on the Red Sea. The short transitions are why May and September still behave like summer inland. The table is planning guidance, not a forecast, so check a forecast for your dates.
Scroll sideways to see the whole table.
| Region | Winter (Dec–Feb) | Spring (Mar–May) | Summer (Jun–Aug) | Autumn (Sep–Nov) | What the heat means |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo and Giza | Cool days that suit Giza and long city walks. Bring a layer for mornings and evenings. | March and April suit a mixed city programme. By May, shorten exposed afternoon visits. | Hot. Pair short, early outdoor visits with museums and breaks indoors. | September can stay hot. October and November make longer outdoor days easier. | Giza and Saqqara have almost no shade. Go at opening time and keep museums for the middle of the day. |
| Luxor and Aswan | The easiest season for temples and tombs. Early departures and evenings can feel cold. | Heat builds quickly towards May. Put outdoor sites first and keep midday free. | The hardest season for long sightseeing days. Start at opening time and plan a long midday break. | September still needs a summer pace. Later autumn is a good starting point for a temple-heavy route. | This is the stretch that sets your dates. In the hot months plan two short mornings, not one long day. |
| Red Sea coast | Mild on shore, but wind can make it feel cooler. Ask about pool heating and wetsuit thickness. | Warm and settled enough for most beach and boat days. Check wind for your bay. | Very hot on shore. The water helps; the walk to it does not. You will want shade all day. | Air temperatures ease while the sea stays warm. A good match with inland sightseeing. | Boat decks and beaches are as exposed as any temple. Shade, water and sun protection matter as much as they do inland. |
| Mediterranean coast | The coolest part of Egypt, with wind and some rain. Check that the hotel and its facilities are open. | Mild, and warming towards beach weather by late spring. | The season for Alexandria and the north coast: cooler and more humid than the Nile Valley. | Still pleasant early in the season, cooling steadily by November. | The one region that offers relief from inland summer heat. Humidity is higher, so it can feel warmer than the number suggests. |
| Sinai | Mild on the coast. In the mountains around St Catherine, nights can be very cold. | Comfortable on the coast and a good time for walking inland. | Very hot by the sea and in the desert. The mountains are cooler, but the sun at altitude is strong. | Warm sea and easier days on shore. Mountain nights cool quickly from October. | Coast and mountains need different bags: sun protection at sea level, warm layers at altitude, often on the same trip. Read the official advice for the part of Sinai you plan to visit. |
Sources: Experience Egypt
Official government advice
Heat, sun and dust: what the health sources say
The CDC’s Yellow Book says Egypt’s desert is extremely hot in summer, above 38°C, and can fall below freezing in winter. Because sweat evaporates at once in dry air, people dehydrate without noticing, and thirst arrives late. Its advice is to drink regularly, wear a hat, sunglasses and loose, light clothing, and use sunscreen. The CDC’s advice for travellers adds seeking shade in the hours around midday, roughly 10am to 4pm.
Sandstorms occur sporadically in the desert, and the Yellow Book notes that sand, dust and smog can irritate eyes and aggravate asthma and other lung conditions. If that applies to you, carry your medication on site days and check the forecast before a desert journey.
Sources: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Yellow Book: Egypt) · US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Egypt: health information for travellers)
EgyptMore editorial guidance
What this means for your dates
- If temples and tombs are the point of the trip, choose dates for Luxor and Aswan first and fit Cairo and the coast around them.
- If you can only travel in summer, keep Upper Egypt short, start each day at opening time, and give the coast or the Mediterranean a bigger share.
- In winter, pack for cold mornings. A dawn start on the West Bank, an open boat deck and a desert night all feel colder than the forecast.
- For the Red Sea and Sinai, ask the hotel or dive centre about wind and water for your month; conditions differ from bay to bay.
- For a month-by-month read, including Ramadan, holidays and how busy each period gets, use our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Egypt.
Sources
Open the source behind a claim and check it against your own dates, passport, health and route. Rules, prices and schedules can change after our check.
Time-sensitive facts last checked against these sources:
- Experience Egypt: Geography and climate
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ summary of Egypt’s seasons and regional climate.
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC Yellow Book: Egypt
Clinical travel-health reference covering desert heat, dehydration, sandstorms, food, water and road safety.
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Egypt: health information for travellers
Current vaccine, food and water, insect, and traveller-health guidance.