The Best Time to Visit Egypt: A Month-by-Month Guide

Egypt is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit Egypt is from October to April, when the desert heat eases and temple days are comfortable from morning to dusk. The trade-off is simple: the cooler the weather, the bigger the crowds. Here is how the year actually feels on the ground.

The short answer

• Best overall: October, November, March and April — warm days, cool evenings, swimmable sea.
• Best value & fewest crowds: May and September — hot but quieter, with lower prices.
• For Red Sea diving: year-round, with the warmest water from June to October.
• Avoid if you hate heat: June–August in Luxor, Aswan and the Western Desert.

Peak season: October to February

This is high season for good reason. Daytime highs in Cairo and Luxor sit around 22–28°C, perfect for the Pyramids of Giza and the temples of the south. Christmas, New Year and the February half-term are the busiest and priciest windows — book a Nile cruise and Abu Simbel well ahead.

Shoulder season: March, April, September, October

The sweet spot for most travellers. You still get blue skies and warm water but smaller queues at the Egyptian Museum and better hotel rates. Watch for the khamaseen — short-lived dusty winds that can blow through between March and May.

Low season: May to August

Summer is intense. Luxor and Aswan regularly pass 40°C, so plan sightseeing for sunrise and collapse by a pool at midday. The upside: the Red Sea is gloriously warm, resort prices drop, and the coast stays a few degrees kinder than the interior.

Ramadan and holidays

During Ramadan the rhythm of the day shifts — some restaurants close until sunset, and sites may keep shorter hours, but the evenings come alive. It's a beautiful, atmospheric time to travel if you plan around the fast.

So, when should you go?

If it's your first trip and you want to see Cairo, Luxor and Aswan in comfort, aim for November or March. If you're chasing warm water and value, May or September are underrated. Either way, browse our Egypt experiences and lock in the headline sights early — they sell out fastest in peak months.