The pyramids of Giza stand golden in the setting sun against a a blue sky.

What Is The Best Time To Visit Egypt? (A Local’s Guide!)

The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April when the days are comfortable and mild – but still pleasantly sunny.

You can explore the temples of Luxor, the pyramids and the bustling Cairo souqs at ease (and the evenings are cool). The Red Sea is mild and the weather is ideal for a Nile cruise.

Dee wears jeans, a black top and a scarf around her neck and holds a purse standing on a walkway with the waters of the Red Sea in the background, Egypt.

Two images show cruising the Nile in Egypt. On the left is a traditional felucca sail boat going down the nile, on the right is the god Horus at his temple at Edfu, Egypt.
January in Egypt – maybe too cold for swimming in the Red Sea. But perfect for scuba diving and cruising the Nile River.

The hottest months are June to August when daytime average temperatures easily hit the high 30s C (the low 100s F).

Sightseeing is difficult in the summer – you’ll be chugging bottled water and hunting for shade in all the temples.

BUT summertime is also perfect for scuba diving and the Red Sea is delightfully warm.

I’m a travel planner living for over a decade in Egypt – and I’ve traveled across the country in all seasons.

And this is my ultimate guide to the best time to visit Egypt – plus insider tips and local advice!

What is the best month to visit Egypt?

The sphinx stands tall in the sunshine in Giza, Egypt, with the edge of an angular pyramid in the background.

The best month to visit Egypt is December and January when the weather is mild and the days are sunny.

Europe and much of the U.S. is covered in snow at this time of year, so a trip to Egypt is especially wonderful to beat the holiday blues and get in your vitamin C.

Before I moved to Egypt, January and February were my absolute favorite times to visit Luxor and Aswan. I relished the sunshine and got a much-needed mood boost while much of Europe was under grey skies.

What is the hottest month in Egypt?

Farsha Cafe in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, is set on a hillside and packed with colorful tables and lights overlooking the Red Sea.
The Farsha Cafe in Sharm el Sheikh is perfect on a hot summer day – and it lights up beautifully at night.

July is the hottest month of the year when temperatures climb into the high 30s C (the low 100s F).

And don’t listen to the travel agents who say Egypt is a dry country.

Yes it’s the desert but there’s also the Nile – which means humidity is HIGH in the summer. A short walk down the street for an errant leaves you covered in sweat in July.

And even with the A/C on full blast, you’ll still crave a couple of showers a day.

Dee walks in the courtyard of Al Azhar Mosque in Cairo wearing a scarf, sweater and skirt. The courtyard has white marble floors and white columns.

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When is the high season in Egypt?

Two local Egyptian men stand in front of a vegetable stall in Hurghada underneath bunches of yellow bananas. They are wearing traditional galabeyas.

Egypt’s peak tourist season runs from October to February, when crowds flock for the mild temperatures.

You’ll find all the temples and main tourist attractions crowded in the afternoons.

Though it’s still possible to beat the crowds if you visit in the morning and add some hidden gems to your itinerary.

When is the best time to take a Nile Cruise?

nile cruise guide

The best time to take a Nile cruise is between October and April.

While your cruise boat will definitely have a/c, it’s still best to avoid the summer heat because you’ll be visiting a lot of outdoor Ancient Egyptian temples (which offer little shade).

Read more: An Ultimate Nile Cruise Guide (And 8 Essential Tips!)

When is the best time to go diving in Egypt?

An underwater scene in Egypt showing colorful reefs and tiny yellow fish.

The best time for diving in Egypt is June to August – when the days are sweltering hot but the Red Sea waters are warm and inviting.

Temperatures reach the 40s C (108 F).

But that heat is worth it once you get into those warm, serene sea waters and experience the incredible underwater visibility.

When is the cheapest time to visit Egypt?

A wall of a temple is lined with hieroglyphics and Ancient Egyptian symbols.

The cheapest time to visit Egypt is the off-season in the summer from around May to August.

The heat means fewer crowds. And that means better bargains and lower prices.

When is the best time to beat the crowds?

sandboarding in fayoum

The shoulder seasons (between the high and low tourist seasons) are the best time to beat the crowds and the high temperatures.

If you want to escape the heat and the tourists, then visit in March and April (spring) or October and November (autumn).

Hotels also offer lower rates during these inbetween months.

When is the best time to visit the pyramids?

Dee wears a white shirt and jeans standing in front of one of the massive pyramids of Giza in the background.

The Pyramids of Giza are perched on a wide, sandy plateau – which means they get hot and there’s precious little shade.

So it’s best to avoid the summer heat because a trip to Giza means a lot of walking and sightseeing in the sun.

So avoid the pyramids in the hot months of June, July and August. And if you’re in Egypt in the summertime already, then visit the pyramids super early (as soon as the gates open in the morning) to avoid the midday heat.

Read more: 5 Essential Tips To Visiting The Pyramids Of Giza

Can I visit during Ramadan?

The Al Sahaba Mosque in Sharm el Sheikh is one of the most beautiful mosques in Egypt.
The Al Sahaba Mosque in Sharm el Sheikh is one of the most beautiful mosques in Egypt.

Ramadan is more slow-paced in Egypt, but it’s still a perfectly great time to visit.

Just check the opening hours of shops, tourist sites and businesses because some may close in the afternoons and then have extended evening hours.

The Islamic holy month means that many Egyptians will be fasting from sunrise to sunset.

But that won’t impact your travel. You’ll probably hardly notice it’s Ramadan if you’re in a touristic city like Sharm el Sheikh or Luxor.

Read more: Ramadan In Egypt: An Ultimate Guide (+5 Best Things To Do)

A month by month guide to visiting Egypt:

The beach at Marsa Matruh in Egypt with a solitary rock formation rising up above the water.

January: brisk, mild weather perfect for sightseeing.

February: comfortable temperatures great for exploring the temples.

March: great weather and thinner tourist crowds.

April: fewer crowds, perfect beach weather. This is also the khamsin season, which means occasional sand storms that last a few hours and turn the world orange.

The khamsin sand storms in Egypt turning a view from a train window orange.
No filter! The khamsin sand storms are relatively harmless – but they can reach up to 140 kilometers an hour at their worst (seen here from a train window on the way to Alexandria).

May: warm but comfortable, perfect for a Nile cruise.

June: hot and perfect for snorkeling in the Red Sea, fewer tourists.

July: small crowds, great hot weather for diving and sun tanning.

August: hot and perfect for the beach or air conditioned museums.

September: top conditions for diving and snorkeling, fewer crowds.

October: cooler weather and start of the high season, perfect for diving and sightseeing.

November: ideal brisk weather for sightseeing major temples and museums.

December: busy season, perfect for sailing the Nile and sightseeing.

Reasons to visit Egypt this year

A man kite surfs across the deep blue waters in El Gouna, near Hurghada in Egypt.
(@visitelgouna)

There’s a lot going on in Egypt this year that makes it a perfect time to visit – from spruced-up attractions to new museums and tours off the beaten path.

Egypt is on CNN’s list of this year’s dream destinations and it’s also Lonely Planet’s pick for best value.

Read 16 Reasons To Visit Egypt In 2024 for my ultimate guide.

Must-see Ancient Egyptian temples

A statue of Ramses II stands outside the Luxor Temple in Egypt. An Upper Egyptian man stands at the base of the statue wearing a galabeya.

Ancient Egyptian temples are the highlight of any trip to Egypt. And they’re just as impressive in real life as they are in photos.

But there are SO MANY different Ancient Egyptian temples across the country that it’s very easy to get overwhelmed. And all those temples start to look the same after a few days of whirlwind sightseeing.

Read 14 Incredible Ancient Egyptian Temples To Visit for my ultimate guide to all the temples you shouldn’t miss.

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The enormous tall columns line the hypostyle hall inside Karnak Temple in Luxor. Dee stands at the base of the columns with her tour guide holding a camera.

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