Season guide · Cairo · Egypt
Cairo in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marc Ryckaert ( MJJR ), CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
The heat fades through September and October, and November brings ideal sightseeing weather. Expect highs up to 33°C (91°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F), with about 1 rainy days across September–November. October–November are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 14°C (57°F) to 33°C (91°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 1
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 33°C (91°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 0 | 12.3 h | 3/5 |
| October | 30°C (86°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 0 | 11.4 h | 4/5 |
| November | 25°C (77°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 1 | 10.6 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 28°C (82°F), and 1 of the year's roughly 5 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- November: Cairo International Film Festival (usually November)
Make the most of the weather
Historic site · Islamic Cairo
Bab Zuweila
Climb the minarets in the late afternoon, then walk south to the tentmakers' covered market.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Giza
Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Khufu, built about 4,500 years ago and the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, stands with the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and smaller queens' pyramids on the desert plateau west of the Nile.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Views
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Castle · Citadel
Citadel of Saladin and Muhammad Ali Mosque
Visit in the morning, take a taxi up, then walk down to the Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i mosques below.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Park · Islamic Cairo
Al-Azhar Park
Built on a centuries-old rubbish mound and opened in 2005 by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, this 30-hectare park of lawns, fountains and palm-lined paths gives some of the best views over Islamic Cairo and the Citadel.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Religious site · Sayyida Zeinab
Mosque of Ibn Tulun and Gayer-Anderson Museum
Climb the spiral minaret for one of the best rooftop views in Cairo, then visit the house museum next door.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Day trips in autumn
- Alexandria (About 2.5–3 hours by train) — Egypt's Mediterranean city has a long seafront Corniche, the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Citadel of Qaitbay on the site of the ancient Pharos lighthouse, Roman catacombs and seafood restaurants.
- Fayoum and Wadi El Hitan (About 2.5–3 hours by car) — In the Western Desert beyond the Fayoum oasis, Wadi El Hitan — the Valley of the Whales — is a UNESCO site where fossil skeletons of early whales lie in the sand.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Cairo?
Yes: October–November are among the best months. The heat fades through September and October, and November brings ideal sightseeing weather.
+What is the weather like in Cairo in autumn?
Highs of up to 33°C (91°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F), with about 1 rainy days over the season.