Month guide · Cairo · Egypt
Cairo in January
What January is really like in Cairo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Cairo. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 10.4 hours of daylight. Mild, sunny days and cool evenings, ideal for the pyramids and long walks; bring a jacket for the nights.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 10.4 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Cairo: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 28°C (82°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with December (21°C (70°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:51
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:17
- Daylight
- About 10.4 hours
Autumn (September–November). The heat fades through September and October, and November brings ideal sightseeing weather.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in December). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Coptic Christmas (7 January)
- Cairo International Book Fair (usually late January to early February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Historic site · Giza
Pyramids of Giza
Arrive at opening to beat the heat and the tour buses, and agree the price, route and length of any camel or horse ride before you get on.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Views
.jpg){kind=link}
Castle · Citadel
Citadel of Saladin and Muhammad Ali Mosque
Saladin began this hilltop fortress in the 1170s, and it was the seat of Egypt's rulers for some 700 years.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Park · Islamic Cairo
Al-Azhar Park
Come in the late afternoon for sunset, when families picnic and the minarets glow, and stay for dinner at one of the park restaurants.
- 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
Completed in 879, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun is the oldest mosque in Cairo to survive largely in its original form, with a huge courtyard and a minaret wrapped by an external spiral staircase.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Views
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 9°C and 1 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Cairo?
One of the best months to visit Cairo, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are February–March and October–December. Compare every month.
Cairo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Cairo?
It is one of the best months to visit Cairo. Mild, sunny days and cool evenings, ideal for the pyramids and long walks; bring a jacket for the nights.
+How warm is Cairo in January?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cairo in January?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.