When you think of Egypt, you draw a picture of the Great Pyramids in your mind, followed by the mummies and the temples that have stood the test of time for over thousands of years. If you are wondering what is the best time to visit Egypt and experience it’s ancient civilization, you will get all the details here on how the weather is like all year round, things to do each season, and the best time to visit Egypt. Read our article on how to spend 7 days in Egypt and have a memorable vacation!
Visiting Egypt In Spring
Weather in spring
As a season, spring is considered as a shoulder season in Egypt, since the major seasons are summer and winter, and spring generally occurs between March and April. The weather is quite moderate compared to the hottest months in summer, so the days are pleasantly warm, whereas the nights get cooler. However, watch out for Khamsin wind season in spring, when a hot, dry and dusty wind blows through Egypt and impairs visibility. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit Egypt in spring. Spring is considered as a popular tourist season, so this is certainly one of the best time to visit Egypt. The pricing for flights and hotels will be high and comparable to that in fall.
Popular festivals and what to do in spring
Shem al Nessim: This festival marks the beginning of spring and literally means ‘sniffing the breeze’. This is one of Egypt’s oldest celebrations, and is celebrated throughout the country. The theme of the festival is about enjoying the outdoors, so Egyptians spend the day outside in local parks or on beaches, and enjoy delicious Egyptian food with their families.
Abu El Haggag Moulid: This is a popular annual festival celebrated in Luxor by locals of all faiths. It is held in the honor of Yousef Abu al-Haggag, Luxor’s patron sheikh and a 12-century Iraqi who settled in Luxor. The moulid (saints’ festival) is held around Mosque of Abu al-Haggag, Luxor’s oldest mosque.
Other than these two festivals, all the other attractions that we have noted in our 7 day Egypt itinerary can certainly be visited in spring, since the weather is quite pleasant during this time of the year.
Visiting Egypt In Summer
Weather in summer
Summer falls between the months of May and September, with August being the hottest month of the year. Since Egypt is predominantly desert, it is going to be extremely hot and humid in summer, and special care must be taken to avoid dehydration and cramps. The pricing for flights and hotels is going to be the most economical during these months, since not everyone can bear the hot conditions of summer in Egypt.
Popular festivals and what to do in summer
Eid al Fitr: Depending on the lunar calendar, Eid al Fitr falls in summer and marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of Muslim fasting. During Ramadan, shops and banks are closed for most part of the day, and many cafes and restaurants do not open at all until evening. During the night, the atmosphere is festive as Muslims resume their eating and drinking.
Wafaa Al-Nil: The Wafaa Al-Nil festival, or the Flooding of the Nile, is celebrated in August for two weeks as a tribute to the Nile river. Egyptians decorate boats in traditional Egyptian style and sailing them down the Nile river to celebrate the festival and thank the river for everything it has done for Egypt.
Due to the extremely hot conditions, none of the major attractions such as the Great Pyramids or the Luxor attractions are recommended to be visited in summer. However, if you do decide to go to Egypt in summer, you should carry lots of water and sunscreen, and always wear a hat to protect yourself.
Summer is however the best time to visit Egypt if you are into swimming, snorkeling and deep sea diving. You can head to the Red Sea coast where there are many options of top-rated sea-facing resorts, and the weather is much more tolerable than the south of Egypt. Sharm El-Sheikh is a highly popular resort town between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea, and is famous with locals and tourists for all the water activities during summer. Hurghada is another beach resort town by the coast that can be visited for summer activities, restaurants and nightclubs.
Visiting Egypt In Fall
Weather in fall
October and November make up the fall months, and provide for comfortable temperatures throughout the day, with cooler evenings. Traveling during these months is going to be the best time to visit Egypt as you can easily enjoy all the attractions without the extremes in temperatures. Similar to spring, tourist season is moderately high especially in November, so the pricing for flights and hotels will be similar to that in spring.
Popular festivals and what to do in fall
Abu Simbel Sun Festival: The sun festival happens twice a year in Abu Simbel, once in October and once in February, when the innermost temple room of Ramasses II with four statues is filled with sunlight. This is a very important festival for Egyptians, so if you do visit Egypt in October (or February), this is a must visit location.
All the major attractions as we have outlined in our 7 day trip to Egypt can be visited in fall. In addition, you can spend some time in one of the resorts on the Red Sea coast and enjoy the beach and water-based activities.
Visiting Egypt In Winter
Weather in winter
December through February mark the months of winter in Egypt. These are the coldest months compared to the rest of the year, so days are going to be chilly (not as quite as in USA), so a jacket will be required throughout the day. Rain showers happen in January quite frequently, so plan accordingly. The winter months gather the highest number of tourists and is considered one of the best time to visit Egypt, peaking in late December through mid January. Pricing of flights and hotels is going to be the highest compared to the rest of the year.
Popular festivals and what to do in winter
Coptic Christmas: This is celebrated in early January by orthodox Christians in Egypt, similar to how it is celebrated across the rest of the world, based on the Julian calendar.
Abu Simbel Sun Festival: Similar to the celebration in October, the sun festival is widely celebrated in February by the locals. A must visit location if you plan to visit Egypt in February!
Except for the Red Sea coast, all the major attractions in Egypt can be visited during the winter months, and in fact, all of these locations will have a lot of tourists!
Final Thoughts On The Best Time To Visit Egypt
Now that you know the weather in Egypt across its seasons, and how you can make the most from your trip, go ahead and make that plan a reality! If you are still having second thoughts and want to budget the trip, check out our blog to get an idea on how much does it cost to visit Egypt. We can create a custom itinerary for you based on your interests, so email us if you need one!