Egypt by month: when to swim and when to go to the pyramids
In Egypt, you can swim in January and get sunburned in July. The difference between regions here is greater than between seasons. A resort on the Red Sea and a day trip to the pyramids require different clothing.
Let's break down the climate by region and month so you can pick dates without surprises.
The best months to visit Egypt are March through May and September through November. On the Red Sea you can swim year-round, while in Cairo and Luxor summer is tough even in the shade. The water near Hurghada averages 25.5 °C for the year, reaching 29 °C in August (as of 09/2026, climate-data.org).
Visa: from March 1, 2026, the visa on arrival fee was raised to $30, and the e-visa costs the same $30 (as of 09/2026, official e-Visa portal). In summer there is an exception: arrivals directly to Luxor or Aswan are processed free of charge from May through October, and the rule was extended to the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Egypt's climate: desert and two seas
💡 In short:
- Winter lasts from November through April, summer from May through October.
- The Mediterranean coast is humid, the Red Sea coast is dry and steady.
- Visa and fee amounts: verified on 09/12/2026 on the official e-Visa portal.
Almost the entire country is covered by desert. Rain is rare here, the air is dry, and daily temperature swings are noticeable even in summer.
Two seas produce two different climates. Around Alexandria and the Nile Delta the weather is Mediterranean: mild winters and humid summers. On the Red Sea the air is drier, and the water is warmer and clearer.
Rain falls only in winter and only in the north. Around Alexandria and in the Nile Delta, short downpours occur from December through February. In Luxor, Aswan, and Marsa Alam, there may be no precipitation for years.
Water at Red Sea resorts stays in the 21-29 °C range (as of 09/2026, weather-and-climate.com). Swimming is comfortable in any month.
Nights in the desert are always cool. Even at the height of summer, after a hot day the air cools quickly, and by morning you will feel the chill.
The high humidity in the north has a downside. Around Alexandria and in the Nile Delta, summer heat feels stronger than the numbers suggest. The Red Sea has no such mugginess, so the southern resorts are easier to bear.
Seasons in Egypt: winter, summer and the shoulder seasons
Egypt has no four seasons. The year splits into a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. Within these periods, the weather depends heavily on the region and the time of day.
In winter on the coast, daytime temperatures are around 20 °C, the desert is cooler, and nights can be cold. The air at the Red Sea in January averages 17 °C (as of 09/2026, climate-data.org).
At the Red Sea, the breeze softens the heat, so people swim there even in August. In Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, the air gets much hotter and there is little shade on the streets. The hottest month in the capital is July, around 34 °C (as of 09/2026, climate-data.org).
The shoulder seasons in Egypt are valued most of all. From March to May, the water is already warm and the air is not yet scorching. From September to November, the sea keeps its summer warmth, but excursions are calmer. In these months, you should book your hotel in advance, because demand is high.
In winter, the resorts are warmer than in Europe, but the evenings are cool. Swimming in the sea does not stop, though.
See the table for where to go in which month.
Region | Best months | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
Sharm El Sheikh | March-June and September-November | divers and families with children |
Hurghada | September-May | those going to swim in winter |
Marsa Alam | October-May | reef lovers and those seeking quiet |
Cairo | April-May and September-November | those going to see the pyramids |
Below, we look at each resort separately: they have different water, different wind and different lengths of beachfront.
When to go to specific resorts
The overall picture for the country is clear, but within Egypt the weather varies more than it seems. Below are four regions where most tourists go.
© Marc Ryckaert · CC BYPhoto: Marc Ryckaert, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsSharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh sits in the south of Sinai, where it is warm all year round. In winter, the water remains swimmable: in January the sea is warmed to 22 °C (as of 09/2026, seatemperature.org).
Best months: March-June and September-November. Coral reefs start a few meters from the shore, so bring a mask and snorkel from day one. Hotels line the bays, and you can walk to the neighboring beach.
© Tanya Dedyukhina · CC BYPhoto: Tanya Dedyukhina, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsHurghada
Hurghada attracts divers and beach lovers. It is one of the best-known Red Sea resorts, with a long beachfront and hotels for every budget. Rain almost never falls, and in winter the air stays warm.
© Максим Улитин · CC BYPhoto: Максим Улитин, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsBest months: September-May. In August, the water warms to 29 °C (as of 09/2026, weather-and-climate.com). Snow and cold never happen here.
Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam lies south of Hurghada and is quieter. The resort is chosen for its reefs, diving and calm sea without crowds. Rain is practically nonexistent here, and the sun shines almost every day.
In summer the air heats up, but the water stays cooler than the air, so swimming feels easier. In high season, from October to May, hotels fill up and available rooms go fast. Book accommodation by the sea if you don't want to depend on transfers.
Cairo
Cairo stands on the Nile, and the climate here is subtropical. The average annual temperature is 22 °C, the coolest month is January, the hottest is July (as of 09/2026, climate-data.org). Rainfall is about 18 mm per year, and even that falls in winter.
The best months are April-May and September-November. In summer, a trip to the pyramids is tough: there are many open areas and almost no shade. Plan your visit to Giza for early morning and bring water.
When Egypt is too hot
Egypt welcomes tourists year-round, but comfort depends on the month. In winter you get warmth during the day and coolness in the evening. In summer, the heat on the coast is bearable, but in the desert it is not.
For desert tours and trips to Luxor, avoid July and August. During the day, desert heat becomes dangerous for long walks, especially with children. In these months, move excursions to early morning.
On the Red Sea, summer is easier to handle. The sea breeze lowers the temperature, and the water stays warm. If you don't handle heat well, choose a hotel with air conditioning and a pool.
Crowds, prices and the spring wind
High season on the Red Sea runs from October to May, with the peak during the New Year holidays. In these weeks, hotels are more expensive, beaches are more crowded, and excursions fill up completely. Book accommodation in advance if you're traveling during this period.
In spring, add wind to your plans. Khamsin blows from the Sahara and brings dust, which causes boat trips and desert excursions to be canceled. People with allergies should bring a mask in March and April.
When heading to Egypt, pack two sets of clothes: light ones for the day and warm ones for the evening.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to go to Egypt for the sea?
For the beach, choose Hurghada or Marsa Alam: you can swim there year-round. In July and August the coast is hot, but the water is warm and the sea breeze softens the air.
Can you swim in Egypt in winter?
Yes. The water near Hurghada stays warm in January, and the air warms up to comfortable levels during the day.
When is Egypt too hot?
It's hottest from June to August, especially in the desert and in Cairo. In Luxor and Aswan, the air heats up during the day and there is little shade.
What should you bring depending on the season?
In winter you'll need a light jacket, a sweater and closed shoes for the evening. In summer, cotton clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen are enough. In the shoulder season, add a windbreaker.
How much does a visa to Egypt cost in 2026?
A visa on arrival has cost $30 since March 2026, and an e-visa costs the same (as of 09/2026, e-Visa portal). Apply in advance so you don't stand in line at the airport.
In short: what to book
If you're going swimming in winter, choose Hurghada or Marsa Alam. If you want the pyramids and the Nile, plan for April-May or September-November. If you're traveling with children in summer, stay on the Red Sea coast.
Decide on the month and book accommodation a couple of months before your trip.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.