Egypt: when to go?

aride climate

Egypt boasts an exceptionally dry desert climate, with over 350 days of sunshine annually. The country experiences two main seasons: a mild and sunny winter from November to March, and a scorching summer from April to October. The ideal period spans November to March, when temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C, perfect for exploring archaeological sites and cruising the Nile. Evenings can be cool, requiring a light jacket. Egyptian summer (June-August) is formidable with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C, particularly challenging in the south near Aswan. Only Alexandria's Mediterranean coast remains more bearable thanks to sea breezes. Rainfall is virtually non-existent year-round, making Egypt one of the most predictable destinations in the world. For optimal travel, absolutely prioritize the cool season from December to February.

Best period
November to March
Good alternatives
April to May, September to October
Scorching summer
June to August
Ideal:NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarch
Avoid:JuneJulyAugust

Year-round overview

Select a month to plan your trip

Ideal (5)Favorable (4)Fair (3)Unfavorable (2)Not recommended (1)

Climate in numbers

Monthly temperatures and precipitation

Temperature (°C)

Precipitation (mm)

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Jul
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Nov
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Month by month

Find detailed climate information for each month of the year.

Temperature

3° — 23°C

Precipitation

11 mm

Average temperature

2.7°C

Rating

Good

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate5/5
Cairo and its pyramids5/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan5/5
Western Desert Oasis5/5
Red Sea Coast4/5
Mediterranean Alexandria2/5

Perfect conditions for visiting the pyramids and temples. Pack warm clothing for the evenings.

Temperature

5° — 25°C

Precipitation

6 mm

Average temperature

3°C

Rating

Good

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate5/5
Cairo and its pyramids5/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan5/5
Western Desert Oasis5/5
Red Sea Coast4/5
Mediterranean Alexandria3/5

Ideal month for all activities. Mild temperatures and consistently clear skies.

Temperature

9° — 29°C

Precipitation

4 mm

Average temperature

3.5°C

Rating

Good

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate4/5
Cairo and its pyramids4/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan5/5
Western Desert Oasis4/5
Red Sea Coast5/5
Mediterranean Alexandria4/5

Excellent for cultural discovery. Beginning of occasional sandstorms.

Temperature

13° — 35°C

Precipitation

1 mm

Average temperature

4.2°C

Rating

Good

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate3/5
Cairo and its pyramids4/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan4/5
Western Desert Oasis3/5
Red Sea Coast5/5
Mediterranean Alexandria5/5

Rising daytime heat. Early morning visits recommended.

Temperature

17° — 40°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Average temperature

4.9°C

Rating

Fair

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate2/5
Cairo and its pyramids3/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan2/5
Western Desert Oasis2/5
Red Sea Coast5/5
Mediterranean Alexandria5/5

Strong daytime heat. Avoid visits between 11am and 4pm.

Temperature

21° — 42°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Average temperature

5.4°C

Rating

Average

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate1/5
Cairo and its pyramids2/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan1/5
Western Desert Oasis1/5
Red Sea Coast4/5
Mediterranean Alexandria5/5

Extreme heat. Only air-conditioned cruises remain bearable.

Temperature

23° — 43°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Average temperature

5.8°C

Rating

Average

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate1/5
Cairo and its pyramids2/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan1/5
Western Desert Oasis1/5
Red Sea Coast3/5
Mediterranean Alexandria5/5

Annual heat peak. Outdoor visits strongly discouraged.

Temperature

23° — 42°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Average temperature

5.7°C

Rating

Average

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate1/5
Cairo and its pyramids2/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan1/5
Western Desert Oasis1/5
Red Sea Coast3/5
Mediterranean Alexandria5/5

Overwhelming heat sustained. Least recommended period to visit.

Temperature

20° — 39°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Average temperature

5.1°C

Rating

Fair

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate2/5
Cairo and its pyramids3/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan2/5
Western Desert Oasis2/5
Red Sea Coast4/5
Mediterranean Alexandria5/5

Temperature still high but bearable. Improvement beginning.

Temperature

15° — 35°C

Precipitation

2 mm

Average temperature

4.3°C

Rating

Good

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate3/5
Cairo and its pyramids4/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan4/5
Western Desert Oasis4/5
Red Sea Coast5/5
Mediterranean Alexandria4/5

Return of pleasant conditions. A good time to resume visits.

Temperature

9° — 28°C

Precipitation

6 mm

Average temperature

3.5°C

Rating

Good

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate4/5
Cairo and its pyramids5/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan5/5
Western Desert Oasis5/5
Red Sea Coast5/5
Mediterranean Alexandria3/5

Excellent conditions found. Ideal for all tourist activities.

Temperature

4° — 24°C

Precipitation

11 mm

Average temperature

2.9°C

Rating

Good

By climate zone

Egypt's overall climate5/5
Cairo and its pyramids5/5
Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan5/5
Western Desert Oasis5/5
Red Sea Coast4/5
Mediterranean Alexandria2/5

Perfect conditions for discovering Egypt. Guaranteed sunshine and ideal temperatures.

Frequently asked questions

Everything about the climate and the best time to visit Egypt

The best months to visit Egypt are November, December, January, February, March. This period offers favourable weather and ideal conditions for exploring the country at its best.

The arid climate of Egypt alternates between very hot summers (months to avoid for comfort: June, July, August) and mild to cool winters. The average annual temperature is 25.2°C. Desert nights can be surprisingly cool, even in summer.

The best time to explore the desert spans November, December, January, February, March. Comfortable daytime temperatures, starlit nights, and dunes accessible without extreme heat. Avoid the peak summer heat (June, July, August).

Yes, but with precautions: early morning and late afternoon activities, constant hydration, air-conditioned accommodations. Coastal cities remain pleasant. Treks and desert expeditions are best avoided.

Yes, especially in winter and for nights in the desert. The temperature difference between day and night can exceed 20°C. A warm jacket and sweater are essential outside the summer season.

If your travel dates don't match the ideal season in Egypt, the Nomadays network brings together more than 100 local agencies worldwide. Get in touch to find out which destination would be ideal for your dates.

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