Best Time To Visit Cairo: A Seasonal Weather And Festival Guide

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, offers a mix of historical sites, ancient monuments and tombs, cruising the Nile and dynamic city culture. Cairo is famous for its iconic landmarks, such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Visiting the city during the right season can enhance your experience.

To find a perfect season to do your chosen activities, it is best to decide when to visit the city. To reach the city, you can make an online Air Cairo booking on Flyin. They offer online travel solutions to travellers around the world.

Seasons in Cairo

Summer

This season is from June to August, and the temperature exceeds 38 °C.  Due to the immense heat, it is best to do sightseeing during early morning or after sunset. The air remains dry, but the sun is intense. However, the nights are cooler, and the locals stay up late to enjoy them. To get a break from the heat, you can opt for indoor attractions like the Egyptian Museum, art galleries, bookstores, movie theatres and mosques in the Islamic Cairo.

In the morning, you can visit the historic landmarks like the Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque. By afternoon, the crowds clear and the focus is on indoor attractions. In the evening, you can go to belly dancing shows in restaurants and clubs in downtown Cairo. The shows often have live music and are one of the best ways to experience the city’s nightlife. After sunset, the air is cooler, and you can visit the rooftop terraces for views of the city.

In July, the Cairo Opera House Summer Festival begins with evening performances and concerts. The Egyptian National Day is celebrated on July 23, marked by special events, parades and portrait displays in the city. On August 15, the traditional festival of Wafaa El-Nil begins with celebrations along the River Nile. It honours the ancient flooding of the river and Egypt’s agricultural past.

Fall

This season is from September to November, and the temperature falls from 38 °C to 27 °C. During this time, outdoor activities are more bearable. The crowds are fewer, and it is the best time to take walks in the historic neighbourhoods like Islamic Cairo or go for day trips to Dahshur and Saqqara or take evening walks on the Nile Corniche.

During this season, the various cultural events begin, and open-air gatherings and concerts are held at Al-Azhar Park. The oldest market of Cairo, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, thrives in the cooler months. Visitors can try ‘Koshari’, which is a mix of lentils, pasta, rice and fried onions, and ‘Taameya’, which is an Egyptian-style falafel made with fava beans.

The skies remain clear, and the sun is not intense, so people spend more time outdoors. The Orman Botanical Gardens and the Al-Azhar Park get crowded in the morning. You can visit Bab Zuwella and Sultan Hassan Mosque during the day. The traditional felucca rides and short Nile cruises are available, and you can view the city from the river.

The best month to do outdoor activities is November, and you can take a day trip to the White Desert, which is 310 miles from Cairo. If you want to go to the Red Sea coast, then you can visit Ain Sokhna. It is famous for its coral reefs and has good underwater visibility. Here you can do scuba diving and snorkelling.

In October, the Cairo Jazz Festival is celebrated, and it is hosted in open-air spaces and historical sites. In November, the Cairo International Film Festival takes place and international and local movies are hosted at the Cairo Opera House.

Winter

This season is from December to February, and the temperature ranges from 18 °C to 22 °C. In the evenings, the temperature drops below 10 °C. It is more likely to rain during this season, but it is rare. This season is perfect for exploring attractions like museums, pyramids, and cafes.

In December, the streets of downtown Zamalek are filled with holiday displays and winter lights, especially near the main squares and hotels. You can walk along the Corniche, enjoy the city views from the Moqattam Hill or take a day trip to Dahshur or Sakkara. In the evenings, winter concerts are held at Cultural Centres, which offer an indoor alternative when the weather is colder. It is the best month to visit Cairo if you are looking for a comfortable climate and a lively atmosphere.

The coolest month in Cairo is January, and it is the best time for outdoor activities like visiting the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Visit the Al-Azhar Park to get panoramic views of the Citadel and Old Cairo. During this time, the local bakeries sell traditional sweets like ‘Feteer meshaltet’, which is a layered pastry topped with honey or cheese.

The weather in February is also good for day trips, and you can visit Islamic Cairo and historic mosques like Sultan Hassan Mosque and Al Rifai Mosque. Shop at the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar for handmade crafts, spices, and copperware. At rooftop cafes,  try a popular winter drink called ‘Sahlab’, which is a warm milky drink thickened with orchid root and topped with nuts and cinnamon.

On January 7, Coptic Christmas is celebrated, with family gatherings,  church services and festive meals.

Spring

This season is from March to May, and the temperature ranges between 25 °C and 35 °C. This season experiences the hot and dusty ‘Khamsin’ winds, which can increase the temperature and decrease the visibility.

It is the perfect time to explore Coptic Cairo and visit Ben Ezra Synagogue and Roman-era ruins. The gardens at Manial Palace begin to blossom, and you can take walks along the Nile Corniche. Outdoor concerts and cultural events are hosted at the Opera House and El Sawy Wheel. The hot season begins in May, and outdoor activities are done in the morning. People prefer going to cinemas and concerts.

In April, the festival of Sham El-Nessim is celebrated to mark the onset of the spring season with Coptic Easter processions and picnics.