Best time to visit Egypt

Across Egypt, the weather is gentle and pleasant. Daily temperatures are around 20°C (68°F), which makes January a relatively cold month. While the days are warm, the nights are chilly, with the temperature dropping to 9°C (48°F). In the desert, it might lower to 0°C (32°F). January is an excellent time for sightseeing. The sun is not that scorching, and an excursion to the Pyramids won’t be a tiring challenge. Besides, you may plan for a trip to the Sahara, but make sure to put on warm clothes as evenings and nights are cold there. A sudden downpour might also break into the desert. The Mediterranean coast has the worst conditions compared to the rest of the regions. It’s cloudy and windy there, and it might rain occasionally. On the contrary, the Red Sea coast is welcoming. Although the temperature usually doesn’t rise over 21°C (70°F), the water warms up to 24°C (75°F) and is comfy for swimming.

In February, the air warms up a few degrees, but it’s still far from being hot. The combination of the comfortably warm air and the sea and over 9 hours of sunshine daily makes the Red Sea coast a perfect destination for early beach holidays. The weather in the north also improves, but it’s still cloudy and rainy. If you plan to travel along the Nile River, pack both T-shirts and warm sweaters. In Cairo and Luxor, the difference between day and night temperatures is significant. During the day, it rises to 25°C (77°F), but at night, it drops below 15°C (59°F).

All over the country, the temperature rises but remains comfortable. The Mediterranean coast still deals with rains that gradually decrease their frequency and intensity. On the east, along the Red Sea coast, the air and water have the same temperature of around 23°C (73°F). For beach-lovers, March is a good time for sunbathing and diving in the sea. By the end of the month, the possibility of Khamaseen breaking into the country grows. Khamaseen is a hot, dry wind blowing from the Sahara desert. It brings sandstorms and stretches sand clouds over Egypt. Influenced by Khamaseen, the temperature rockets and the humidity drops to 5%.

The weather throughout Egypt is perfect. The north coast gets rid of the clouds and irritating rains, the sun shines over the entire country, and the Red Sea keeps on warming up. The daytime temperature increases as you move to the south along the Nile. In Luxor, daily temps reach 34°C (93°F), and you’d need shelter from the heat. While, in general, the conditions are favorable for sightseeing and swimming, the risk of the Khamaseen wind remains. Also, there is a chance that a sudden thunderstorm might occur in the area of Cairo and the Nile River Delta.

In May, the Mediterranean sea warms up enough to be suitable for swimming. As the rains are over in the region, the north offers an alternative destination for a beach vacation. If the heat of the Red Sea coast is excessive for you, the area around Alexandria has fresher and milder weather. The trips to the Pyramids are still possible, but the day temperatures are too high to feel comfortable. So, you’d better schedule sightseeing activities for mornings and evenings. Besides, rides to the desert are not the best idea as the risk of Khamaseen breaking in from the south remains. In May, it might bring the heat of over 40°C (104°F).

The heat rises. Near the Red and Mediterranean seas, it’s bearable due to the breeze bringing some freshness. Meanwhile, in the inland areas, the air is still and arid. Spending a few hours under the scorching desert sun could be somewhat harmful to your health. If you plan to visit the areas around Luxor, ensure to have shelter for noon and several hours after. The sun shines for over 15 hours daily. Although it’s great for beach holidays, watch out for the time you spend under the sun rays. Putting on sunscreen, covering the head, and staying hydrated are the basic rules to follow in Egypt in June.

July proves to be the hottest month on the calendar. Even though the Red Sea is as warm as 28°C (84°F), the daytime heat gets intolerable. In the mid-day, the thermometer shows over 33°C (91°F), and the best you can do is to hide in an air-conditioned shelter or go diving. Meanwhile, in the north, the weather conditions are more pleasant. The heat is not that devastating there, and the sea is only a few degrees cooler. The day temperature rises over 50°C (122°F) in the desert, lying left and right to the Nile River. At night, the temperature drops significantly, and it might feel chilly.

August is equally hot as July. If you are not into the heat, you’d better avoid traveling to Egypt during this month. The air is dry and hot; the cloudless sky is no longer pleasing but somewhat torturing. The only region where the conditions are bearable is the north coast and the delta of the Nile River. The sea breeze and the closeness to the water make the heat less devastating. While the coastline locations leave you with a possibility to refresh in the water, the Sahara desert has no mercy. Trips into the inland areas seem to be a counterintuitive choice in August.

There’s no such a season in Egypt as autumn, so September shows almost no differences from July or August. However, after two months of tiring and sizzling heat, the temperature lowers slightly. It’s still sweltering near the Red Sea and in the south. But the breeze from the Mediterranean Sea brings some freshness to the country. The northern part of Egypt is more favorable for beach holidays as the warmth of the Mediterranean Sea is identical to the one of the Red Sea, while the air is cooler and more comfortable up north.

From mid-October, the high season for the Red Sea coast starts. The heat keeps on decreasing, while the water remains warm and calm. Such a combination makes a perfect offer for those who are into sunbathing, swimming, and diving. Although the sun shines for over 12 hours, it’s less risky to spend an entire day under the sun rays. If you planned for a cruise on the Nile River, October is an excellent time to bring the idea to life. Even though it’s somewhat hot outside, the river itself moderates the heat and creates comfortable conditions for the trip.

The high season on the Red Sea continues, with the water as warm as 26°C (79°F) and the air of the same temperature. Occasional clouds might pass by, but they bring no risk of rain. Meanwhile, the beach season on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea is over. The weather is mild, but the nights are getting colder, and the temperature of the sea waters drops, making it uncomfortable for swimming. The chances for rain increase, though remain low. Anyway, when traveling to Cairo or Alexandria, pack a light jacket for evenings and an umbrella or a raincoat.

December is somewhat chilly, compared to the previous months. The Red Sea area welcomes tourists with warm water, but the air temperature is less suitable for sunbathing. In the north, the weather deteriorates, and the rains become more frequent and prolonged. Despite the occasional episodes of cloudiness, the sky is bright and sunny. Combined with relatively fresh temperatures, it provides favorable conditions for sightseeing and exploring Egypt. Trips down the Nile River to Luxor and the Pyramids are excellent activities for December. However, bear in mind that this area has a big difference in day and night temperatures. At night, the thermometer might show as low as 8°C (46°F). Also, in the region of Sinai’s mountains, there are chances for the snowfalls and chilly nights, with the temperature dangling close to freezing.