Egypt is an amazing country, with everyday sunshine, stunning beaches, and rich history. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Egypt every year. Egypt is definitely worth visiting, however, many are asking when is the best time to visit Egypt. So whether you want to cruise on the Nile, or see some of the best temples in Egypt, here’s your guide to when to visit.
The answer is that even though you can visit Egypt anytime during the year, the best time depends on the activities you want to do, on your budget, how you cope with the heat, and whether you don’t mind the crowds or prefer quiet times.
In this blog post, I will break down the times to visit Egypt by seasons and months according to the weather, crowds, prices, and regions.
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Overall Best Time To Visit Egypt
Overall the best time to visit Egypt is in spring from March to April or in Autumn from October to November. There are several reasons for that. First is the weather. It is not very hot and also not too cold either. So you can enjoy sightseeing or swimming in the sea.
The second reason is the crowds. These times are shoulder seasons, so there are no big crowds of people. You will be able to take some great pictures without other people on it and not stand in queues.
The third reason is prices. As it is not the peak season, the prices are not at the highest, so you can travel on a budget. Traveling in the shoulder season or off-season is one of the best ways to save money on accommodation!
Best Time To Visit Egypt By Season
Egypt doesn’t really have four seasons like Europe or North America. More or less there is just summer and winter season. There is sunshine all year round and almost no rain, therefore the possibility to visit is anytime.
The summer in Egypt is from May to September, where July and August are the hottest months. Therefore if you can’t cope with the heat, it is better to avoid visiting Egypt from June until the first half of September.
From June until September is not a good time to do any sightseeing as the heat is unbearable. If you really want to come during this time, it is better to relax at the beach. This time, you will experience the least amount of people and lower prices.
The Winter in Egypt is from October to March, where December and January are the coldest months. There is chance of a rainfall during these two months and in the north, in Cairo for example, there can also snow in some areas. The rainfall is only short, so it will not affect your holiday.
To stay in Cairo, choose one of the best Cairo resorts here.
In the south, the weather is more pleasant. This is the best time for visiting the historical sights as the air is cooler. On the other side, December and January are the busiest months and the prices are at the highest as it is the peak tourist season.
Thus, if you want to admire the history of Egypt without crowds and for better prices, choose the time between October and November or February to April.
Best Time To Visit Egypt By Month
Let’s break down the seasons into the months to see exactly which is the best month to choose for your holiday.
January
January is one of the coldest and busiest months. The daily temperatures are around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) but can go as low as 12 degrees in some areas. During the night they can drop to 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Celcius). In some areas or in the desert it could be 0 during the night.
Don’t forget to pack a sweater or even a jacket and scarf if you are visiting Cairo or the desert.
Due to the weather, January is the best time to explore all the historical sights in Aswan, Luxor, and Giza as well as wander around souks. However, January is the peak time for traveling to Egypt, so do expect crowds and also be ready to pay more for hotels and flights.
February
February is getting less crowded and a little bit warmer. This is a great time to do all the sightseeing without sweating but with lovely sunshine. The temperatures are about 2 degrees Celsius higher than in January.
On February the 22nd there is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival which happens twice per year. The second one is on October 22nd. The temple was built in a way that only during 2 days of the year does the sun highlight the darkest holiest chambers. You can expect live music, dance, and street food outside of the temple.
March
March is a much warmer month than January and February. You can expect temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius. As this is a shoulder season, there will be much less people, so you can enjoy a more peaceful visit.
During March it is possible that some sandstorms may happen, but they are not very strong and don’t last for long. However, be ready to move your plans in one day in case it happens.
April
April is getting even warmer, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, depending on the region. April is a great time to spend on the Red Sea’s lovely beaches that are not crowded at this time. Moreover, it is still the best time to visit temples and monuments as it is not too hot.
May
May is the month when the heat is coming. Expect temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius during the day and around 20 during the night. May is a great month to head to the beach, swim, snorkel practice many different water sports, and relax. Here are the best Egyptian beaches to visit.
June
The strong heat starts in June and lasts till the first half of September. So if you are a person who doesn’t cope well with heat, this is probably not a good time for you to visit Egypt. Temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and drop at night to 25. However, if you are planning a beach holiday, it is still a good month to visit.
July
July is getting even hotter. This is the low tourist season in Egypt. The temperatures are around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 30 at night. If you really want to come during this time, then stay at the beach where there is a light sea breeze.
August
August is the hottest month of the year in Egypt. If you really love hot, then you will enjoy it at the beach. However, I do not advise you to walk and go sightseeing during this time as it won’t be enjoyable in this heat. If you really have no choice, then go early in the morning and be sure to drink plenty of water.
July and August are the quietest months, the prices are the lowest and on the historical sights is almost no one. On the other hand, these months are popular among locals who spend their holidays at the beachside.
September
September is still quite hot, however, in the second half of the month the temperatures are getting lower. Expect around 37 degrees Celsius during the day. It is an ideal month for beach holidays, diving, and snorkeling.
October
October is one of the best months to visit Egypt. The temperatures getting lower, especially in the north. It is still an ideal month for a beach vacation or diving trip. Moreover, with the weather being cooler, it is a good time to visit temples, monuments, and pyramids. The season is still low so there will be no crowds.
October is also a great month for Nile River Cruise and October 22nd is the Abu Simbel Sun festival.
November
As November is a cooler month, more tourists are visiting Egypt. The daily temperatures are around 27 in the south (Hurghada) and around 23 (Cairo) in the North. This is a great month not only for a beach vacation but also for sightseeing. In Cairo, you may attend the Cairo Film Festival.
December
December is the peak tourist season in Egypt and one of the coldest months. This is a great time to explore all the historical sights and temples without sweating, however with more crowds. You will need a sweater for the evenings and you can expect some rainfall.
Ramadan In Egypt
How is Ramadan in Egypt and is it a good time to visit Egypt during Ramadan? This is a question that many people ask. Ramadan is a holy month, happening at different times of the year based on the lunar calendar. During this month Muslims do not eat, drink, or smoke during the daylight. Once the sun sets down, they can eat and drink.
During this time life is a bit slower, restaurants and cafes may be closed during the day or just adjust their opening hours a bit. Also, the tourist attraction will have different opening times.
Tourists as non-muslims should be respectful and should not eat and drink on the streets during the day.
Whether you should visit Egypt during Ramadan is your own choice. It has some disadvantages but on the other side, you can see and experience the atmosphere, lights, music, and celebration at the end of the month.
Best Time To Visit Egypt FAQs
Now you know when is the best time to visit Egypt and you have a deep understanding of how is each month in Egypt. Here are more questions you may have.
When is the best time to go to Egypt for Nile Cruise?
The best time to go for Nile Cruise in Egypt is between October and April. However, preferably from October to November and from March to April with lovely temperatures. If you go during December and February, be ready with some warmer clothes, especially at night.
What month is the cheapest to visit Egypt?
The cheapest months to visit Egypt are July and August as it is the lowest tourist season due to the heat.
When is the high tourist season in Egypt?
The highest tourist season in Egypt is in December and January due to cooler weather. It is nice to walk around and admire the history without sweating. Also, Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays are at this time, so people take a chance to go for a vacation.
Conclusion: Best Time To Visit Egypt
When you consider the weather, crowds, and budget, the best time to visit Egypt is in October and November and then from the second half of February to April. This is the best time either for sightseeing or a beach holiday.
The months of December and January are good too, but there will be many people and prices will be higher. For a beach holiday count with sea temperature around 23-24 degrees Celcius which is not very warm for everyone. Nevertheless, many resorts have heated outdoor pools.
When do you plan on visiting Egypt? Let me know in the comments!
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