Best time to visit
Best time to visit Egypt
The Red Sea is warm all year, and October to April is best for sightseeing in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. June to August is very hot, especially inland, where Luxor regularly passes 40°C.
- Best value
- Busy and pricier
- Quiet
Winter evenings in the desert can be surprisingly cold, so pack a jumper for a Nile cruise in January.
Where timing differs
- Red Sea resortsBusy and pricier
Busiest in school holidays and winter.
- Luxor and AswanBest value
Oct to Apr. Summer is extremely hot.
Month by month in Hurghada
- J18°
- F19°
- M21°
- A24°
- M27°
- J29°
- J31°
- A31°
- S29°
- O27°
- N24°
- D20°
Best valueBusy and pricierQuiet
Average temperature each month (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2025), coloured by season.
Month by month highlights
- December to February: Peak season for Luxor and Cairo. Warm days, cool nights on the Nile.
- March and April: Hot and sunny. Spring winds can bring dust storms (the khamsin).
- June to August: Very hot inland, often over 40°C. Red Sea resorts busy with UK school holidays.
- September to November: The sea is at its warmest and the heat eases. October half-term is busy.
Red Sea or Nile?
For a beach holiday, the Red Sea works almost any time: it's hottest in summer and around 20 to 24°C in winter. For sightseeing, timing matters far more. Temples and tombs mean hours on your feet in the sun, so a Nile cruise or Luxor trip is far more enjoyable from October to April.
Before you go
- Ramadan changes opening hours. Check dates before booking.
Stay and do
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