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Egypt's Climate and Weather
Egypt has a largely desert climate. This means hot summers, mild winters, hardly any rain and year-round sunshine. It can get very hot depending on your region though. Northern cities on the Mediterranean coast have mild weather year round, whilst southern regions like Luxor and Aswan get scorching hot in summer. Popular Red Sea destinations remain enjoyable throughout summer as there is always a cooling sea breeze. In general:
- Winters are mild and pleasant.
- Summers are hot and dry.
- Spring and autumn have beautiful weather.
- It hardly rains at all (apart from on the northern coast).
Because the weather is so good all year round tourism flourishes even in the middle of summer but certain seasons are more appropriate than others.
Winter in Egypt (October - February): Peak Tourist Season
Winter is arguably the best time to travel to Egypt especially if your intention is to learn about its history, visit its sites and enjoy exploring the desert. During the winter months the country enjoys a cool and pleasant temperature which is ideal for traveling around and visiting places such as:
Why Winter is the Best for Egypt Holidays
Walking tours are far more pleasant in cooler weather and so are guided explorations of open air sites such as:
- The Pyramids of Giza
- Karnak Temple
- Abu Simbel
- The Valley of the Kings
- Philae Temple
- Islamic Cairo & Khan El Khalili bazaar
- Temperatures in Winter are usually around:
- Cairo 18C-25C
- Luxor and Aswan 20C-28C
- Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh 22C-27C
It is still worth packing a jumper/light coat for the winter evenings, especially when venturing to the desert for safari and camping trips.
Best Winter Activities
- Explore ancient monuments
- Nile cruises
- Desert camping and safaris
- Travel to some of Egypt's remote destinations such as:
- The White desert
- Black desert
- Siwa oasis
- Bahariya Oasis
in the winter months, this season will offer ideal conditions for a camping adventure.
Downsides to a Winter Holiday in Egypt:
As winter is considered the peak season you are more likely to pay:
* Higher prices for flights and accommodation
* Expect more tourists than at other times of the year
* Nile cruises and hotels are much more likely to be fully booked
So you will have to book these in advance.
Spring in Egypt (March - April): Pleasant Weather and Lush Landscapes
Spring is one of the most beautiful months to visit Egypt. Temperatures will rise slightly but it remains comfortable to explore on foot and sightsee around the country. For many it offers the best of both worlds; a perfect mix of fantastic weather and moderate tourist numbers.
Advantages of Spring in Egypt:
- Pleasant temperatures
- Relatively few tourists
The temperatures in Spring are warm, but not quite boiling point and so this is the ideal season for walking tours in Cairo and exploring Luxor and Aswan. The slight lack of crowds means you can make the most of the open air sites such as those listed in the winter section, while also being relatively free to roam.
* Ideal photography conditions
The light at this time of year is great and clear blue skies abound, the perfect condition for a photographic adventure in both the deserts and the ruins.
The Khamsin winds:
Between March and April the Khamsin winds can occasionally blow across the country from the Sahara Desert, bringing with them high temperatures and dust. These usually don't last too long but it's worth keeping an eye on the weather report and booking flexible tour times if possible.
Summer in Egypt (May-September): Hottest Months and Best Deals
The summer months in Egypt are hot, hot and then incredibly hot. In southern parts of Egypt, namely Luxor and Aswan, temperatures regularly reach 40C and can climb even higher. In general, however, Summer is a great time to travel if you prefer an action-packedbeach holiday or want to take advantage of low prices at resorts and hotels.
Why Travel to Egypt in Summer:
- Lower prices
- Few tourists
In July and August the desert and sites such as the Pyramids are quiet as there are significantly fewer people venturing around on the hottest days. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to have sites practically to yourself. The price of flights and hotels are also significantly cheaper during the low tourism season (for cultural travel at least) so this can be a really budget friendly time to visit if you plan your trips carefully.
Best Summer Destinations in Egypt:
- Red Sea Resorts
- North Coast beaches
In the hotter months, consider holidays to the Red Sea resorts (e.g. Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh) or one of Egypt's amazing Mediterranean beaches along the north coast. Here you will still find sea breezes and plenty of ways to keep cool.
Top summer beach destinations include:
* Hurghada
* Sharm El Sheikh
* Marsa Alam
* El Gouna
* Dahab
Autumn in Egypt (September-October): The Secret Season
Autumn is possibly the most undervalued season to visit Egypt. The intense summer heat dies down and temperatures start to become pleasant once more. Many savvy travellers think autumn offers one of the best times to visit Egypt, offering you:
* Good weather
* Reasonable prices
* Few tourists
* Easy conditions for travel
Autumn is also fantastic for a Nile cruise or for visiting desert sites once more. Even in late October the Red Sea will still be warm enough for swimming and diving.
Best time to visit Egypt by type of holiday:
Best for historical and cultural sites (October - April)
Best for Red Sea beaches and water sports (March - November)
Best for desert safaris (October - March)
A month by month breakdown of travelling to Egypt:
January-February: Pleasant, dry, busy, peak season for sightseeing and Nile cruises.
March-April: Warm, good for cultural tours and beach holidays. Occasional Khamsin winds.
May-June: Gets increasingly hot, great time for hotel deals, beach holidays.
July-August: Boiling point at the southern end of Egypt, perfect for a Red Sea holiday and less busy cultural sites.
September-October: Excellent weather, ideal for all types of trips, good prices.
November-December: Mild, sunny weather, great for sightseeing and the start of the busy festive period.
Packing essentials for your trip to Egypt:
- Light clothes for daytime
- comfortable walking shoes
- sun cream and a hat
- a reusable water bottle
- something warm for the evenings (especially in winter)
- swimwear
- a scarf for entering mosques
It is also recommended that all tourists travelling to Egypt have comprehensive travel insurance.
Final Words: When is the best time to visit Egypt
In fact, Egypt can be visited any time of year and each season gives a unique type of feel to your travel. Winter is suitable for sightseeing and Cultural tourism, spring for good weather and low tourist numbers, summer for beaches and a cheaper travel experience and autumn offers a mix of moderate weather and a calm travel environment.
Whatever type of holiday you are hoping for, Egypt has a holiday for you; from exploring the pyramids and sailing down the Nile to diving in the Red Sea and sleeping under the stars in the Sahara Desert.
You won't be disappointed with a trip to Egypt whenever you go; its eternal beauty, ancient history, welcoming hospitality and stunning scenery will be memories that will last you a lifetime.
