Discover the Best Time to Visit Egypt for Ideal Weather

If you’re hoping to go to a hot and sunny place and escape the cold weather this winter, one of the best countries to fly to is Egypt. Egypt is a nation that borders the Mediterranean Sea and is famous for its pyramids and desert oases. Although it gets sunny weather year-round, the best time to visit Egypt is during late fall, winter, and early spring from October to April. 

There are many fun things to do in Egypt during these months because the weather will be amazing with almost no chance of rain. Besides exploring the centuries-old pyramids, you can explore Egypt’s capital, Cairo, and one of the oldest cities in Africa, Thebes. When you leave Egypt, you’ll have incredible memories of a country rich in culture and history.

If you want to visit Egypt or have already booked your trip, we’ll give you everything we know about the average temperatures, temperature records, and rainfall during these perfect months. We’ll also explore some fun activities to do and delicious things to eat while you are in the North African country of Egypt.

Average Temperature in Egypt

Egypt is in a desert, and as such, it hardly gets rain. In fact, the most rain it has received in a single day after records were started in the 1940s was less than an inch. It has gotten cold, which means that a light jacket is always best (just to be prepared). The months with the best weather, from October to April, are usually quite pleasant. When it comes to the average temperatures, it ranges from a high of 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) to a low of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

In terms of daylight hours, it varies throughout the year, but sunrise can usually be around 6:00 a.m. and sunset is at around 5:00 p.m., which gives you about 11 hours of daylight. The sun shines for most of those hours, giving you ample time to tour around.

The Hottest Temperature on Record

Egypt is a hot country year-round. It does get its rain, of course, and sometimes it can get cold. You’ll enjoy nice weather throughout the year, although the summer can get unbearably hot. When it comes to records, the hottest temperature ever recorded was 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) in June 2018 in the Kharga region of the country.

The Coldest Temperature on Record

Egypt is not known to be a cold country because it has a hot desert climate. However, sometimes there are anomalies. The coldest temperature in Egypt ever recorded was 29 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.4 degrees Celsius) in January 2019 in the Siwa region of the country. That’s cold in Egypt, so if you’re visiting during this time, it’s best to take a light jacket.

Rainfall in Egypt

Rainfall is not common in Egypt and in fact, the wettest month of the year, which is January, only gets a little more than 0.1 inches of rain. That’s not much, which means you can enjoy Egypt without worrying about having to deal with torrential rain. Just check the weather beforehand if it starts raining frogs. 

UV Index During the Best Time in Egypt

During Egypt’s winter months, you can expect dry temperatures that are ideal for visiting, especially if you’re visiting the pyramids. The sun can shine quite brightly throughout the year and the average UV Index during these months fluctuates from 8 to 11, depending on the month. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can be damaging when the UV Index is this high because sun exposure damages the skin and eyes extremely quickly.

A word of caution: to protect yourself, you should wear sunscreen and continue putting it on every couple of hours. Wear loose clothing to avoid overheating and get a hat to cover yourself, too.

Natural Disasters in Egypt

Egypt doesn’t experience major natural disasters, but every once in a while, there will be disasters unique to the region. With the proximity to the Sahara Desert, the country has dust and sandstorms every once in a while. Although rain is rare in Egypt, the country gets flash floods, which devastated the region along the Nile in 1994.

Egypt is also a country that experiences earthquakes. One of the biggest and deadliest earthquakes that ever happened in the country was on October 12, 1992. It had a magnitude of 5.8 and killed 561 people with more than 12,000 people injured.

Visiting Egypt

Egypt is one of the most visited countries in North Africa. Its capital, Cairo, is a city that tourists flock to every year. A few highlights are seeing the Great Sphinx of Giza, of course. For some history lessons, check out the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. No visit is complete without visiting several archeological sites around the country like the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, and the Abu Simbel Temples.

Nature lovers will have many possibilities to do something in that department. You can grab a kayak and go kayaking up the Nile River. Make sure you head in the direction of the Red Sea where you can frolic in the water by Giftun Island. Lastly, you can take a leisurely hike up Mount Sinai, which according to religious texts, is where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Things to Eat and Drink in Egypt

If you’re not used to Egyptian food, you are in for a great time. For breakfast, you can have some eggs with fooul, which are oily, crushed beans. When you’re walking around the streets of Cairo, get a delicious falafel on the go. Make sure you pair that with a refreshing karkade drink, which is made of hibiscus. 

For dinner, you can go to a restaurant that serves koshiri. It’s Egypt’s national dish made with rice, lentils, onions, tomato sauce, and pasta and topped with coriander and cumin. Lastly, if you are into trying eccentric foods, you can try stuffed pigeons. They are considered a delicacy in the country.

Fun Facts About Egypt

• Egypt is home to the longest river in the world, the Nile, which stretches for 4,130 miles.
• The Egyptian pyramids were built for the Ancient Pharaohs’ tombs, with more than 130 pyramids located in the country.
• Ancient Egyptians believed that cats were sacred.
• Many inventions we use today come from Ancient Egypt like pens, paper, and keys.
• The country’s population is 110 million and Cairo is its largest city with 10.1 million people.

Conclusion

Egypt is famous for its rich, cultural heritage and tourists flock to see the majestic pyramids. Egypt has centuries of history with its hieroglyphics and mummies. It is also known for its pristine beaches by the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile River, which has served Egyptians for thousands of years. Every day you spend in Egypt will be filled with fun activities. They will profoundly change your perspective of how you view history. You can explore the cities, ride on camels, and take in the country’s desert type of beauty.

As you explore Egypt and relish in its sunny days drinking a delicious mint tea at a bench overlooking the pyramids, think about how history has evolved over time. You will positively end your trip with a new mindset. When that holiday is over, you’ll wish you were an ancient Pharaoh and lived in Ancient Egypt to be revered by everyone!