Month guide · Cairo · Egypt
Cairo in August
What August is really like in Cairo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hesham Ebaid, CC0
Quick answer
August is a month many travellers avoid. Expect average highs of 35°C (95°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13.2 hours of daylight. Hot and slightly humid; the Giza plateau and Islamic Cairo become tiring by late morning.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 35°C (95°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Cairo: days average 35°C (95°F) against a yearly average high of 28°C (82°F), and nights fall to about 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with July (35°C (95°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 33°C (91°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:23
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 19:37
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
Spring (March–May). Warming quickly, with occasional hot, dusty khamsin winds; March is pleasant, while May is already hot.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 2 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in December). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
August has no major recurring festival in Cairo, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in August
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · Islamic Cairo
Bab Zuweila
The southern gate of the Fatimid city, built in 1092, is crowned by the twin minarets of the neighbouring Al-Mu'ayyad Mosque, which you can climb for views across the domes and rooftops of medieval Cairo.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Palace · Heliopolis
Baron Empain Palace
Combine it with a walk around the arcades of the Korba district, or a stop before a late flight, as the airport is close.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Experience · Islamic Cairo
Tanoura show at Wekalet El Ghouri
In a restored 16th-century caravanserai near Al-Azhar, the Al-Tannoura troupe performs Egyptian Sufi-inspired dance, with whirling dancers in multicoloured skirts accompanied by traditional musicians.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Giza
Grand Egyptian Museum
Allow at least half a day, head to the Tutankhamun galleries before they fill, and pair the museum with the pyramids on the same side of the city.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 35°C, lows near 23°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Cairo?
A month many travellers avoid. If your dates are flexible, October–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Cairo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Cairo?
It is a month many travellers avoid. Hot and slightly humid; the Giza plateau and Islamic Cairo become tiring by late morning.
+How warm is Cairo in August?
Average highs are around 35°C (95°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cairo in August?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.