Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Cairo
A vast, historic capital on the Nile, the gateway to the Pyramids of Giza and one of the world's great collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Greater Cairo is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Africa and the Middle East, with the Pyramids sitting right at its modern edge.
Best time to visit: October to April, avoiding the extreme heat of the summer months.
Local tip: Hire a licensed guide for the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum — both are large sites where context adds a lot, and it helps navigate persistent vendors near Giza.
Getting around: Central Cairo traffic is often heavy, so many visitors rely on taxis or ride apps rather than walking or driving themselves between distant sights.
Good to know: The Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza has been opening in phases and is intended to eventually replace much of the downtown Egyptian Museum's collection — check current status before planning which one to visit.
What to plan your trip around
- Pyramids of Giza
The last surviving wonder of the ancient world, on the edge of the modern city.
- Egyptian Museum
A vast collection of pharaonic antiquities, including treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb.
- Khan el-Khalili
A historic bazaar dating to the 14th century, still a major shopping and dining destination.
- Great Sphinx of Giza
The enormous limestone statue guarding the Giza plateau, immediately next to the Pyramids.
Cairo weather by month
Cairo weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Cairo gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 7°C | 10 mm | 63% |
| February | 21°C | 8°C | 7 mm | 58% |
| March | 25°C | 10°C | 10 mm | 52% |
| April | 29°C | 13°C | 17 mm | 46% |
| May | 34°C | 18°C | 0 mm | 40% |
| June | 37°C | 20°C | 1 mm | 40% |
| July | 39°C | 22°C | 1 mm | 43% |
| August | 38°C | 22°C | 0 mm | 45% |
| September | 36°C | 21°C | 0 mm | 50% |
| October | 31°C | 18°C | 8 mm | 56% |
| November | 26°C | 13°C | 32 mm | 62% |
| December | 21°C | 9°C | 9 mm | 65% |
Cairo through the year
January · 19° / 7°C · 10 mm
- Good walking weather for combining Egyptian Museum and Pyramids of Giza in one day.
- It's one of the greyest months, with cloud cover near 38%.
April · 29° / 13°C · 17 mm
- It warms up quickly from here: by May highs are about 5°C higher.
- Expect a big gap between day and night — about 16°C.
July · 39° / 22°C · 1 mm
- It's one of the sunniest months here, with cloud cover around 16%.
- Evenings cool off sharply: the daily range is around 17°C, so pack a layer.
October · 31° / 18°C · 8 mm
- Afternoons and nights feel like different seasons, roughly 14°C apart.
- It cools down fast from here: November is about 6°C cooler.
The best time to visit Cairo is January, February and March, when average highs are 19–25°C and rainfall is around 9 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Cairo, season by season
December – February
Best time20° / 8°C · 9 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
March – May
Good30° / 13°C · 9 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
June – August
Hot38° / 21°C · 1 mm
Very hot days. Plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings and keep the afternoon for shade or the beach.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Cairo?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Cairo in January, February and March. Average highs are then 19–25°C.
- Why is January a good time to visit Cairo?
- In January, Cairo averages 19°C by day and 7°C at night, with about 10 mm of rain and 38% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Cairo?
- July is the warmest month in Cairo, with average highs of 39°C and lows of 22°C.
- What is the coldest month in Cairo?
- January is the coldest month in Cairo: average highs of 19°C, dropping to 7°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Cairo?
- November is the wettest month in Cairo with about 32 mm of rain. The driest is May, with around 0 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Cairo?
- July is the least comfortable month for sightseeing in Cairo, with average highs of 39°C. If you go then, plan outdoor visits for early morning.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Cairo?
- Yes. April and December sit just outside the best months for Cairo, with average highs of 21–29°C and about 13 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Cairo before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Cairo from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Cairo. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/egypt/cairo
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