Many people from all over the world have Egypt on their travel bucket list, yet many people are still not completely sure when it is the best time for their Egyptian adventure. We will recommend the best locations for each season when you visit Egypt and the pros and cons of each one.
The long-awaited answer is that there is no ‘best time’ to visit Egypt. The land of the Nile is blessed with moderate weather, clear and sunny skies for most of the year.
Summer from June to September, Egypt experiences its hottest weather. Temperatures can go well over 40 degrees Celsius in Cairo and other destinations. If you’re planning on visiting Egypt in the summer, stay away from the south of the country with flaming hot summers and record-high temperatures. The best place to go in Egypt during the summer is the vibrant resort cities along the coast of the mediterranean sea, including the famous city of Alexandria and specifically the north coast, which is the ultimate summer getaway where you can enjoy the crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, and cooler climate.
Other summer hotspots include the Red Sea coastal cities like Hurghada, Dahab, Gouna, Sharm El-sheikh, Ras Sudr, and Marsa Alam. Although a little warmer than the mediterranean side, here is where you will find the best in the World diving and snorkeling spots. They are also known for beach activities during the hot mornings, like kite surfing, paddle boarding, and other water sports.
Winter in Egypt is pretty moderate, especially relative to the harsh and freezing winters experienced by many parts in the world. Winter in Egypt is the best time to explore the Southern cities like Luxor and Aswan, or take a magical cruise along the legendary Nile River. Southern Egypt hosts continuous sunlight, and very warm winters especially during the afternoon. However, it can get pretty chilly in the early morning or late night. We recommend grabbing comfy jackets and scarves for the cool morning and nights.
Best places to visit during the winter is definitely the southern part of Egypt (Upper Egypt), particularly Luxor and Aswan. This is by far the most recommended, all around best choice for anyone who wants to explore the historical attractions and the priceless gems Ancient Egyptians left to amaze everyone with.
The best way to visit both locations and get the most out of your trip is by booking a Nile Cruise. There are many 5 star floating hotel cruisers to choose from. You can opt for a 3, 4, or 7 night cruises where you will have breakfast overlooking the beautiful nile river, visit the highlights of both cities in the morning on professionally guided tours, get a glimpse of the city in the evening, and sleep in your nile-view room while sailing the longest river in Africa.
The cruise starts from Luxor or Aswan, depending on the schedule and your requested departure date. The usual route is booking a flight from Cairo to the embarkation city and returning from the other, using one round trip flight ticket.
The peak travel season in Egypt runs from October to May, and that’s when most tourist sites get busy with tourists flocking from every corner of the world. The season mostly covers autumn and winter. If you don’t mind a little heat, you can enjoy a crowd-free trip during the off-season times of the year, especially in mid-summer. Traveling during the peak seasons, especially during Christmas and Easter breaks can be a little more expensive than other low seasons, but it will definitely be the best choice when finding where to spend your vacation.
If you’re interested in knowing more and planning your trip to Egypt, get in touch with us now and we’ll reach back with all the details you might need!
Egypt is a very unique destination that caught the interest and curiosity of people from all over the globe, who are eager to visit and explore the historical nation. Despite the fact that Egypt is generally a very safe destinations, and that Egyptians are some of the friendliest people in the world, there are some things you should know while visiting Egypt, to ensure getting the most comfortable and memorable experience.
It’s recommended not to discuss politics and religion with anyone you don’t know, as these subjects are often very sensitive to some people. Instead, when talking to strangers, you can discuss the local culture, history, and other interesting topics.
Egyptians love hosting tourists from all around the world, and will try to help as much as they can in order for you to get the best experience. Most of Egyptian locals benefit from tourism in one way or another, whether directly or indirectly.
Your tour guide is usually the go-to person when you have any sensitive question, as they know the traditions quite well, and will be able to answer it in a very informative way.
When visiting mosques and churches, make sure you dress modestly, are not wearing shorts or revealing clothes and sometimes a head scarf to wear inside is a nice gesture of respect to the place of worship.
In various visits, you might come across street souvenirs/gifts sellers. If you are not willing to buy something, it’s okay to ignore the sellers. If you decide to consider the merchandise, your tour guide will be able to help you bargain the prices and make sure you are not overpaying for it.
Tipping “Baksheesh” in Egypt is a very acceptable way of showing gratitude to an offered service. Make sure you are carrying small change in Egyptian Pounds. Asking your guide about what a reasonable amount to tip is recommended, as it differs depending on the service.
Essential words in Arabic:
- Ahlan wa sahlan (Welcome)
- Shokran (Thank You)
- Sabah el kheir (Good Morning)
- Baksheesh (Tip)
- Ma`a el salama (Good Bye)
- Bokra (Tomorrow) – Ennaharda (Today)
- Kolo Tamam (All Good/OK)
- Feloos ( Money )
- Ana / Enta (Me/You)
- Insha’allah (If God wills)
- Chai (Tea)
- Kahwwa (Coffee)
- Labban (Milk)
- Helw (Beautiful/Nice)
Egyptian Food
We invite you to try the delicious typical dishes of Egypt, such as: koshari (lentil and rice dish), mahshi (stuffed vegetables), falafael (taameya), and fuul (beans). When it comes to fruit, Egypt is a paradise of fragrant and tasty fruits. Don’t forget to taste the guavas, dates, figs, and large variety of juicy mangos!
Most hotels serve local dishes. The typical Egyptian foods are rice, pita bread (aysh) and fava beans. Special dishes include roasted ground lamb like kebab, vegetable casserole, and stuffed, grilled pigeon. Desserts like Baklava and Basbousa are local favorites. Italian, French and Indian cuisine can be found in hotels and restaurants. Locally brewed beer (stella and Sakkara) and bottled sodas may be found throughout the country. Tea with fresh mint is also a well known drink after a good meal, make sure to try it out!
