Egypt is a destination of rich archaeological sites, beautiful coastline and compelling history and culture stretching back thousands of years.
Tourists have been visiting Egypt for centuries, intent on delving into the ancient world, cruising the Nile River, and staring in awe at the Pyramids of Giza.
For tourists, the weather is great in Egypt. The country enjoys sunshine and hot weather all through the year, with very little rainfall even in winter.
The weather can vary from region to region, with a Mediterranean climate on the coast, and a more desert-like climate inland.
There are usually two high seasons to consider when deciding the best time to visit Egypt.
The cooler winter months between December and February are the best time for exploring the ruins and archaeological sites.
The scorching hot summer months, between June and August, are a favorite time of year for hanging out at the Red Sea beach resorts.
Spoiler Alert! Our favorite time to visit Egypt is November.
To help you to plan your getaway, here’s our guide to choosing the best time to visit Egypt!
Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Egypt (Travel Guide)
Best Time to Visit Egypt: Month by Month Breakdown
Table of Contents
Egypt Winter Months
Winter in Egypt is high season because the weather is cooler than other months of the year yet still beautifully sunny.
It’s a favorite spot for winter sun-seekers, and especially for lovers of Egyptology.
While the desert gets cold at night – bring a light jacket – the ruins, temples, and tombs of the Ancient Egyptians are best enjoyed in cooler climes when you won’t work up too much of a sweat.
December in Egypt
December is one of the most popular times to be in the country, and if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s never the best time to visit Egypt.
It’s sunny across the country, although the Mediterranean coast can be hit by the odd storm or rainy day.
It’s still hot, with temperatures hovering in the mid-twenties in most destinations.
The Red Sea beach resorts are always popular over Christmas and New Year, as families head here from Europe looking for winter sun and a hot place to spend their holidays.
You’ll be paying high season prices, and sharing the beaches with a lot of other tourists.
Head south to the famous cities of Luxor and Aswan, and take a Nile River Cruise between the two.
While it’s definitely going to be busy, because the weather is perfect for exploring archaeological sites all day, it’s the best time to be in this part of Egypt.
January in Egypt
January is likely to be just as busy as December, although visitor numbers will definitely start to fall off towards the middle of the month after the rush of the holiday season is over.
If you want a winter sun getaway then head to the Red Sea for beaches, snorkeling, and diving.
If you’re a fan of all things Ancient Egyptian, then the weather is perfect for exploring iconic places such as the Pyramids of Giza or the Valley of the Kings, but you’ll be sharing the iconic sights with a lot of other tourists.
Culturally, this is the best time to visit Egypt if you’d like to learn more about the Coptic Christian communities.
January 7th is the most important day in the Coptic calendar, as this is when they celebrate Christmas. Head to the cities of Cairo or Alexandria to see and experience more.
February in Egypt
Compared to December and January, February is a lot quieter and it’s a great time to explore Egypt if you’re a fan of shoulder season travel.
The weather is getting much warmer already, but you might catch a few of the last winter storms, although these are a rarity even on the coast.
This is a great time to explore southern Egypt. Take a Nile River cruise from Luxor to Aswan, and enjoy the archaeological sites before it gets too hot. The crowds won’t be quite as large as the previous two months.
Time your visit to coincide with the Abu Simbel Festival, held each February at the famous Abu Simbel Temples.
These are found on the Sudanese border, just a short journey from Aswan, and were built thousands of years ago by Ramesses II. The festival is a throwback to the region’s thousands of years of history and culture.
Egypt Spring Months
The weather really starts to warm up across Egypt as you leave winter behind and enter the spring season.
The Nile River is green and verdant after the winter rain, while there are many festivals and celebrations across the country.
This is a great time for shoulder season travel, before the busy summer months, but be aware of when important religious events such as Ramadan are, as this generally tends to happen around April and May.
March in Egypt
March is another shoulder season month, and it’s a great time to visit Egypt if you want to escape the crowds.
On the Red Sea, you can score cheap deals on flights and all-inclusive packages. With warmer waters and lots of sunshine, it’s really not a bad time lounge on the beaches or to enjoy some Scuba diving.
You’ll have fewer crowds in the south as well, but remember that the desert is starting to heat up in March.
In reality, it’s a good time to visit the temples and pyramids before the heat and the crowds of summer.
April in Egypt
April can be a mixed bag in terms of visitor numbers because over the Easter holidays you’ll find plenty of tourists arriving.
Try to avoid these weeks if you want to visit in April.
Travel south to Luxor and Aswan, or stick around Cairo and explore the Pyramids of Giza and other famous ancient sites, because, after this, visitor numbers will start to rise again, as will the heat.
Alexandria is glorious in April, with lovely Meditteranean weather, sunny days and clear skies.
Visit the famed Biblioteca Alexandria and the many catacombs and ruins that date back to the Greek and Roman era, when the city was one of the most important in the ancient world.
May in Egypt
May is the last quiet month before the summer high season begins in earnest in Egypt, and oftentimes, this is the month when Ramadan is likely to fall.
This can be a unique festival to witness, although non-Muslims will need to be aware of the rules and local customs during the holiday so as not to cause offense.
Weather-wise, it’s getting much hotter in May, and temperatures are rising exponentially.
It’s not a good time to be in the desert, but you will enjoy the sun and cooling winds that are found on the Mediterranean coast and the Red Sea.
Egypt Summer Months
Summer is the high season and it’s the best time to visit Egypt if you’re looking for a beach holiday.
It’s not the best time if you can’t handle the heat and the crowds. It’s hot and it’s busy, all through summer.
June in Egypt
June is the start of peak season travel in Egypt, and prices for flights, accommodation, and tours will begin to go up.
It’s not quite as busy as July and August are going to get, so it’s a good time to visit the resorts on the Red Sea before the huge crowds arrive.
With warm waters, it’s a great time to snorkel and scuba dive on the Red Sea too, or you could even dive below the waves of Alexandria Harbour.
This is where you’ll find the uniquely preserved remains of Cleopatra’s Palace many centuries after it was lost below the waterline.
July in Egypt
July is busy because this is when the school holidays usually begin in earnest across Europe.
It’s guaranteed to be hot, and in the desert, temperatures will routinely rise well above 40 degrees Celsius in the middle of the day. Even the night time can be unbearably hot.
The heat doesn’t stop people visiting, although admittedly most vacationers tend to stick to the resorts, where you’ll find busy beaches all through June.
August in Egypt
August will be just as busy as July because it’s still peak season and it’s the summer holiday season in Europe.
Prices will be higher than other times of the year, and beaches and tourist attractions will be crowded.
It’s going to be too hot to be anywhere other than the beaches though, so if you are visiting Egypt in August then brave the crowds and stick to the Red Sea resorts.
This way you can cool off in the swimming pools or in the sea.
Egypt Fall Months
The fall season is a great time to explore Egypt’s interior, as the heat starts to dissipate.
Compared to summer, it’s going to be incredibly quiet through the fall months, and it’s a great time to grab a great deal on flights and tours.
September in Egypt
If you can wait out the summer and travel in September, then this could be the best time to visit Egypt.
The weather is still undeniably hot, but things are starting to cool down, especially away from the coast.
You can head south to explore the ancient sites around Luxor or cruise along the Nile River to Aswan and the Abu Simbel Temples.
Visit the Red Sea for good post high season deals on resorts.
October in Egypt
October is quieter than September, and it’s much cooler too. This is the perfect time to start visiting Egypt’s most famous attractions, and places that will soon become busy again in the winter.
Explore the archaeological delights of Luxor and Aswan, take in the bustling streets of Cairo and the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Or uncover the hidden history of Alexandria, while enjoying the warm climes of the Mediterranean.
November in Egypt
November is the last shoulder month before the high season starts again in December.
It’s much cooler in November and it’s a beautiful time to explore Egypt, as you’ll avoid the worst of the summer heat and miss the worst of the winter crowds.
Take the opportunity to visit iconic destinations and famous tourist attractions, or get a steal on a resort on the Red Sea.
After this, it’s only going to get busier.
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