Name: When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Egypt?
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Ask travel and weather experts and they will all agree that the best time of year to visit Egypt is when the daytime temperatures are most comfortable. That means the the best time to be visiting is from October through to the following April. After that, it the weather can be uncomfortable in the desert areas and even in some areas along the Nile. However, when you are planning a trip to this amazing country, it is about more than just the weather.

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The Best Time of Year for Your Visit to Egypt

Best Time of Year to Visit Egypt - Egyptian pyramids

The Giza Plateau is a must-see site whenever you choose to visit Egypt.

When you wonder about the best time of year to visit Egypt, you should also consider the following factors:

When do most travellers head to Egypt?
Are there holidays that bring more travellers into Egypt?
Are there areas that you can visit at any time of year?

The good news is that we have answers to all of these questions! Let’s begin with that first one.

Is the High Season the Best Time to Go to Egypt?

Hatshepsut Temple in Luxor during peak travel months.

The tourist high season runs from October to April. However, the months of December and January are typically the peak travel season in Egypt. This is when much of the northern hemisphere has its cold winter weather and when the conditions throughout Egypt are at their most comfortable. There are many lengthy holiday seasons at this time, and so a large number of travellers arrive during these months, especially during Christmas holidays.

Yet, if we move to the second question, we discover that holidays outside of the peak travel months of December and January can also make for higher volumes of tourism. Easter season, for example is another popular time because many people have spring holidays and also because the weather is still so comfortable.

That brings us to the last deciding factor, and it is actually more complex than you might think.

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Best Time to Go to Egypt Based on Location

If you are eager to get a definitive answer on the best time of year for visiting Egypt, you may want to learn more about the types of climate found in Egypt. Experts say there are three:

The Mediterranean climate along the entire northern coast, including Alexandria and Cairo.
There is the Red Sea Coast with its Riviera-like setting, and this includes world-famous Sharm el Sheikh.
Then, there are the inland areas that run along the Nile and all of the way south to the Sudanese border.

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The Best Time of Year to Visit Egypt’s Mediterranean Climate

View of Alexandria’s eastern harbor with fishing boats and the medieval Qaitbay Citadel in the distance.

As you might guess, the coastal Mediterranean climate is the most comfortable all year long and has temperatures ranging from a low of 9 degrees Celsius up to 18 in January. Yet, it does not go tremendously higher even later in the year, with August experiencing lows of around 23 and highs of around 30. This is a very comfortable range, though high humidity can make warmer weather a bit uncomfortable. Yet, it is a great place to visit any time of year.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Egypt’s Red Sea Climate

Red Sea beach with palm and umbrellas. Sinai Peninsula.

It is interesting to note that the temperatures along Egypt’s Red Sea coast can be much hotter than many anticipate. In January, temperatures vary from 13 to 22 degrees Celsius and as May and June arrive, it is not at all unusual to see 24 to 34 degrees and higher. While it is not as hot here as the inland climate, the best time to visit and enjoy vacations in this part of the country would be from late October through May.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Egypt’s Inland Climate

Nile scenery with afternoon haze, Aswan.

Lastly, there is the interior regions of the country which can start become incredibly uncomfortable as the month of May begins. Temperatures from May through September range from a comfortable 20 degrees Celsius but routinely soar to an astonishing 45 degrees Celsius. This can go on for months at a time and feature no rain to alleviate the heat. It is one of the sunniest parts of the world, and so it is best to visit January through March and then again in late October through December.

The Best Time to Visit Egypt’s Archaeological Sites

Aerial view of the Karnak Temple in Luxor.

If you are hoping to visit such destinations as the Giza Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings, you must beware that during the summer months of June through August temperatures may not be comfortable. Even September can be quite hot, and without any rain and uninterrupted sun, you risk being uncomfortable. Most experts say November, December and January easily rate as the best for a visit to sites like Aswan and Luxor as well as Cairo.

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Is The Best Time to Go to Egypt When There Are Fewer Tourists?

Camels “parked” at the Giza Pyramids waiting for tourists, Cairo.

While it can be incredibly tempting to plan your trip to coincide with a rapid decline in tourist numbers, such as the hot summer months, you need to be careful about this choice. If you are going to visit sites which involve a fair amount of walking, such as the Giza Plateau or the Valley of the Kings, the relentlessness of the sun and heat during these times of the year can be too much for even the locals who are fully acclimated.

Yes, it can be so much fun to feel as if you have such historic sites nearly to yourself, but you may also find you cannot spend as much time at them as you would like simply because of the sweltering heat. If you want to visit when there are fewer tourists, try the “shoulder” seasons at the end of each peak – April and late October are good choices to avoid difficult temperatures and high humidity.

While most fans of Egyptian travel might argue that any time is the best time to pay a visit to historic and fascinating Egypt, the simple truth is that the summer weather can be a challenge. Consider planning your journey to coincide with the quieter time and the still livable conditions. You can get into all of the top destinations, see the many sights, do all of the activities that you have envisioned, and yet remain comfortable at all times.

The team at Egypt Tours Plus can help you book your private Egypt tour and it will always be at the best time for you to experience the wonderful landscape, sites, and activities of Egypt.