Month guide · Cairo · Egypt
Cairo in May
What May is really like in Cairo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JMCC1, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 18°C (64°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13.7 hours of daylight. Hot by midday, so sightsee early; prices fall as the high season ends.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 18°C (64°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13.7 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Cairo: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 28°C (82°F), and nights fall to about 18°C (64°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with April (28°C (82°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 34°C (93°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:01
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:41
- Daylight
- About 13.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Mild, sunny days around 20°C and cool nights; the busiest and most expensive season, especially at Christmas and New Year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in December). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Cairo, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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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
Experience · Nile Corniche
Felucca ride on the Nile
Traditional wooden sailboats with tall triangular sails wait at landings along the Corniche in Garden City and Downtown.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 18°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Cairo?
A good-value shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, October–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Cairo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Cairo?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Hot by midday, so sightsee early; prices fall as the high season ends.
+How warm is Cairo in May?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cairo in May?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.