The Best Time to Visit Egypt — Month by Month, for Temples and for the Beach

Egypt is a year-round destination, but not every month suits every trip. The question is really two questions: when is it comfortable to walk around temples in the south, and when is the Red Sea at its best? The answers overlap less than you might think.

The short answer

• October to April is the best time for sightseeing. Days in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan are warm rather than hot, and early mornings can even be cool.
• May to September is the warmest time for the sea, and the Red Sea resorts stay busy, but the south of the country is very hot.
• Hurghada and the Red Sea work in every month — the sea is simply cooler in winter and warmer in late summer.

Winter: December to February

The most popular season, and for good reason. Sightseeing is comfortable all day in Luxor and Aswan, and the light over the Nile is beautiful. In Hurghada the days are usually sunny and pleasant for the beach, though the sea feels fresh and evenings call for a jacket. Wind can make boat trips choppier, so morning departures are best.

Christmas, New Year and European school holidays are the busiest weeks of the year. Book hotels, Nile cruises and balloon flights well ahead.

Spring: March to May

March and April are excellent all-round months: warm enough for the beach, still comfortable for temples. Sometimes a hot, dusty desert wind arrives in spring; it rarely lasts more than a day or two. By May, Luxor and Aswan are getting hot, so start early and rest in the middle of the day.

Summer: June to August

The Red Sea is at its warmest and calmest for swimming, and resorts are full of families. In Luxor and Aswan, though, the afternoon heat is intense. If you visit the temples in summer, go at sunrise, carry plenty of water and plan indoor time — a museum, a long lunch, a nap — for the hottest hours.

Autumn: September to November

A favourite with people who know Egypt. The sea is still very warm after the summer, the crowds thin out after the school holidays, and by late October the south becomes pleasant again for sightseeing. November is one of the best months to combine the beach with a trip to Luxor.

Holidays worth knowing about

• Ramadan moves about eleven days earlier each year. Sites and hotels stay open and visitors are welcome, but opening hours can change and some local restaurants close during the day. Evenings are lively and festive.
• Eid holidays after Ramadan and later in the year bring many Egyptian families to the coast, so resorts and roads get busier.

Which month should you choose?

• Temples first, beach second: November, February, March
• Beach first, a day of temples: April, May, October
• Warmest sea and calm water: July to September
• Fewest crowds: late spring and late autumn, avoiding holidays

Plan around the season

Whatever the month, start excursions early — the light is better and the heat is gentler. See the best-rated things to do in Hurghada, Luxor and Cairo, all with real traveller reviews.