The essentials
When to go to Egypt, in brief
October to April: the sweet spot
18 to 32°C, dry skies, light crowds outside December-January. Perfect for the temples, the pyramids and a Nile cruise.
The Nile cruise
Between Luxor and Aswan, the Nile is best sailed October to April: blue skies, sea temperatures under 26°C, sites without the heatwave.
Summer in Upper Egypt
From June to August, Luxor and Aswan regularly top 42°C. Midday sightseeing is exhausting. Cairo stays under 38°C.
The Red Sea dives year-round
Sharm el-Sheikh, El Gouna and Marsa Alam offer warm, clear water all the time. Summer brings the best underwater conditions.
Spring and the khamsin
March-April are superb but the khamsin, a hot sand wind, can blow in spells. Sham el-Nessim celebrates spring on 20 April 2026.
Twice a year at Abu Simbel
On 22 February and 22 October, the sun lights up the sanctuary of Ramses II. Two unique dates worth timing your trip for.
The verdict
The best periods
October - April
Dry skies, bearable heat, navigable Nile. The prime window for the grand loop of pyramids, temples and cruise. Book 1 to 2 months ahead.
May & September
Transition months: hot but still manageable in Cairo and on the Red Sea. Upper Egypt starts to bake at midday.
June - August
Luxor and Aswan top 42°C. Ancient-site visits are punishing. Fall back on the Red Sea, where diving stays excellent.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
9 to 19°C
Cool, dry, high season
10 to 21°C
Ideal, Abu Simbel
13 to 25°C
Ideal, khamsin possible
16 to 29°C
Mild, spring
19 to 33°C
Heat rising
22 to 38°C
Very hot in South
23 to 40°C
Scorching, Luxor 42°C
23 to 40°C
Heat peak
21 to 35°C
Heat eases
18 to 31°C
Ideal, Abu Simbel
14 to 26°C
Ideal, dry
10 to 21°C
Cool, high season
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo & North | Oct-April: 14-26°C, dry | Jul-Aug: up to 38°C | Ideal Oct-April |
| Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan) | Nov-Mar: 22-28°C, perfect | June-Sept: 40-42°C, crushing | Ideal Nov-Mar |
| Red Sea (Sharm, Hurghada) | Winter: 22-25°C; summer: 30-35°C | Ideal diving all year | Ideal year-round |
| Desert & oases (Siwa) | Oct-April: mild days | Summer: very hot, cool nights | Ideal Oct-April |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
Twice a year, the sun crosses the temple of Ramses II and lights up the sanctuary at sunrise. A unique ancient alignment.
🇪🇬 Abu Simbel
Sham el-Nessim
A spring festival over 4,500 years old: family picnics along the Nile, colored eggs and spring onions.
🇪🇬 Nationwide
Cairo International Film Festival
The oldest film festival in the Arab world, screenings and international guests in the capital.
🇪🇬 Cairo
Abu Simbel Music Festival
Concerts at the feet of the Ramses colossi, around the autumn solar alignment on Lake Nasser.
🇪🇬 Abu Simbel
Our analysis
Egypt is a desert country: almost no rain, but a heat that decides everything. The simple rule: aim for October to April for the ancient sites and the Nile, with a clear preference for October-November and March-April, quieter than midwinter.
October to April, the fine season
This is the prime window. The sky stays dry, temperatures bearable, 18 to 32°C, and the temples and pyramids can be toured without suffocating. The cruise between Luxor and Aswan reaches its full potential then: calm sailing, blue skies and sites without crushing crowds. December and January are the coolest but also the busiest, around Christmas. My firm take: favor November or March, you gain calm without losing on weather.
Summer, to flee in the South
From June to August, Upper Egypt bakes: Luxor and Aswan regularly top 42°C, making daytime visits punishing. Cairo stays a notch below, around 38°C. The escape is clear: the Red Sea. Sharm el-Sheikh, El Gouna and Hurghada offer their best diving conditions in summer, with calm, clear water.
Spring and solar alignments
March and April are superb, but the khamsin, a hot sand wind, can blow in spells and blur visibility for a few days. Spring peaks with Sham el-Nessim, a millennia-old festival celebrated along the Nile. Two precise dates, 22 February and 22 October, are worth planning around: at Abu Simbel, the sun then enters the temple to light up the sanctuary of Ramses II.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Egypt? +
From October to April: 18 to 32°C, dry skies, ideal conditions for the ancient sites and a Nile cruise. October-November and March-April offer the best weather-to-crowd ratio.
When should you take a Nile cruise? +
From October to April: blue skies, temperatures under 26°C and sites visitable without the heatwave. Avoid June-August, when Luxor and Aswan top 42°C.
Should you avoid summer in Egypt? +
In Upper Egypt, yes: Luxor and Aswan top 42°C and daytime visits become punishing. But the Red Sea stays excellent for diving all year.
When can you dive the Red Sea? +
Year-round. The water is warm and clear all the time at Sharm el-Sheikh, El Gouna and Marsa Alam. Summer offers the calmest water and best visibility.
When is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival? +
On 22 February and 22 October, when the sun lights up the sanctuary of Ramses II at sunrise. Two unique dates worth planning a trip around.
Do you need to book far ahead? +
For high season (December to February) and Nile cruises, yes: book flights, boat and hotels one to two months ahead, especially around Christmas.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026