Climate Overview
Cairo has a hot-desert climate with blistering Jun–Aug summers (35–36°C) and mild 19–21°C winters. Rainfall is negligible — under 40mm a year, concentrated in Dec–Mar. Nov–Mar is the ideal window for pyramids and outdoor days; summer heat and dust make the midday hours punishing.
Monthly Climate
Temperature range, rainfall, and humidity by month
Monthly Data
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20.7° | 12.3° | 1mm | 60% |
| Feb | 18.3° | 10.6° | 0mm | 53% |
| Mar | 25.7° | 15° | 0mm | 46% |
| Apr | 27.6° | 17.4° | 0mm | 41% |
| May | 32.4° | 20.5° | 3mm | 37% |
| Jun | 34.4° | 22.7° | 0mm | 42% |
| Jul | 37.8° | 25.3° | 0mm | 40% |
| Aug | 37.1° | 25° | 0mm | 45% |
| Sep | 32.7° | 23.4° | 0mm | 50% |
| Oct | 30.4° | 19.7° | 0mm | 53% |
| Nov | 27.1° | 17.1° | 4mm | 55% |
| Dec | 21.3° | 12.7° | 0mm | 56% |
When to Visit
Experiences to seek out and peak periods to plan around
Experiences & Highlights
Cool 19–26°C highs and near-zero rainfall make the Giza plateau and Sphinx comfortable for half-day visits; pair with the Grand Egyptian Museum at the foot of the plateau.
Mild 24–29°C days suit long walks through Khan el-Khalili, Al-Muizz Street, and the Sultan Hassan mosque before summer heat; watch for occasional khamasin dust winds.
Falling highs (25–30°C) and low humidity (~56%) make sunset felucca rides from Zamalek or Maadi pleasant; clear skies most evenings, almost no rainfall.
Mid-November at the Cairo Opera House: 100+ films across Arab and international sections. Cool 21–26°C evenings, screenings and industry events citywide.
Peak Periods & Travel Advisories
Daytime food service pauses; restaurants reopen at iftar and run past midnight. Museums and pyramids stay open on shortened hours; quiet mornings, lively late nights.
Three-day public holiday after Ramadan: domestic travel spikes, Cairo hotels and North Coast routes fill, and many shops shut day one. Book trains and flights weeks ahead.
Four-day holiday in peak summer (36°C highs). Government offices and many businesses close; tourist sites stay open but transport and Red Sea routes crowd with Egyptian travelers.
Opera House grounds and Zamalek hotels fill with industry delegates; screening tickets and nearby accommodation sell out 2–3 weeks out.
Official Resources
Government portals and tourism boards for Cairo, Egypt