Best time to visit · Cairo · Egypt
The best time to visit Cairo
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
The best time to visit Cairo is October to March, when days are warm and sunny and the Giza plateau is comfortable to explore; November, February and March are especially pleasant. From June to September highs regularly reach 35°C or more, so plan outdoor sightseeing for early mornings and museums for the afternoon heat.
Key facts
- Best months
- October–March
- Shoulder season
- April–May and September
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 35°C (95°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 19°C (66°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~1 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–August
Seasons
Cairo has a hot desert climate: long, hot and dry summers with highs around 35°C, mild winters with cool nights, and almost no rain. In spring, hot khamsin winds can bring sand and dust, and haze and air pollution are common year-round.
December–February
Winter
Mild, sunny days around 20°C and cool nights; the busiest and most expensive season, especially at Christmas and New Year.
March–May
Spring
Warming quickly, with occasional hot, dusty khamsin winds; March is pleasant, while May is already hot.
June–August
Summer
Very hot and dry, with highs around 35°C; low season for Western visitors, with lower hotel prices and quieter sites.
September–November
Autumn
The heat fades through September and October, and November brings ideal sightseeing weather.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 9°C | 1 | 10.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| February | 21°C | 10°C | 1 | 11.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 24°C | 12°C | 1 | 11.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 28°C | 15°C | 0 | 12.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 32°C | 18°C | 0 | 13.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 34°C | 21°C | 0 | 14.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 35°C | 22°C | 0 | 13.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| August | 35°C | 23°C | 0 | 13.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 33°C | 21°C | 0 | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 30°C | 18°C | 0 | 11.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 25°C | 14°C | 1 | 10.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 21°C | 11°C | 1 | 10.2 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Coptic Christmas (7 January); Cairo International Book Fair (usually late January to early February) |
| February | Cairo International Book Fair continues (usually into early February) |
| April | Sham el-Nessim — spring festival on the Monday after Coptic Easter (usually April) |
| November | Cairo International Film Festival (usually November) |
| December | New Year's Eve parties at Nile-side hotels (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May–August, and the sights are quietest in May–August. Many visitors avoid July–August.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Winter | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Cairo?
The best time to visit Cairo is October to March, when days are warm and sunny and the Giza plateau is comfortable to explore; November, February and March are especially pleasant. From June to September highs regularly reach 35°C or more, so plan outdoor sightseeing for early mornings and museums for the afternoon heat.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Cairo?
Usually in May–August. Hot by midday, so sightsee early; prices fall as the high season ends.
+What is the rainiest month in Cairo?
January, with about 1 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Cairo get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 35°C (95°F) and lows of 22°C (72°F).