Summer in Egypt runs from June to August, and it is the season most guidebooks tell you to avoid and the right month to book a tour if you want to save money, if you don't mind the heat. Temperatures in Luxor and Aswan pass 40°C, and the midday sun is fierce. Yet summer also brings the emptiest temples of the year, the lowest prices on hotels and Nile cruises, and the warmest water on the Red Sea coast.
Under a sky that has not changed since the pharaohs built for eternity, the monuments of the Nile Valley wait in golden silence for the traveler who rises with the sun. This guide covers how hot Egypt gets in summer city by city, why a summer vacation in Egypt can be a smart choice, where to go, how a Nile cruise works in the heat, and the practical weather tips that keep you cool and healthy.
Discover the Answer to How Hot Is Egypt in Summer
Egypt in summer is hot and almost completely dry. Rain is rare from June to August, the sky is clear, and the sun can shine for around 14 hours a day. The heat feels very different from place to place, though, so the answer to "how hot is Egypt in summer" depends on where you are.
Summer Temperatures by City
The figures below are average daily highs and lows from the official 1991 to 2020 climate records:
| City | June | July | August |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 35°C / 22°C | 35°C / 24°C | 35°C / 24°C |
| Luxor | 41°C / 25°C | 41°C / 26°C | 41°C / 26°C |
| Aswan | 42°C / 27°C | 42°C / 28°C | 42°C / 28°C |
| Hurghada | 36°C / 26°C | 37°C / 28°C | 38°C / 28°C |
| Alexandria | 29°C / 20°C | 30°C / 23°C | 30°C / 23°C |
These are averages, not limits. Luxor has recorded 48.5°C in June, and Aswan's all-time record is 51°C, set in July. Heatwaves of 44°C to 46°C are not unusual in Upper Egypt.
Weather in Egypt in June
The weather in Egypt in June is the gentlest of the three summer months. The temperature in Egypt in June averages about 35°C in Cairo and 41°C to 42°C in Luxor and Aswan, with nights around 22°C to 27°C. Early June can still catch the tail end of the khamsin, a hot, dusty desert wind that usually blows from March to May. Late June is when Egyptian school holidays begin.
Egypt in July and August
Egypt in July is the hottest time of year, with nights that stay warm in Upper Egypt. August is almost identical, with a little more humidity on the coasts. Cairo feels heavier than its numbers suggest because humidity rises near the Nile Delta. Luxor and Aswan have very dry air instead, so 41°C there is fierce but sweat evaporates fast. Alexandria on the Mediterranean is the coolest major city, at around 30°C with a steady sea breeze.
Why You Should Visit Egypt in Summer
The heat is real, but so are the rewards. A summer vacation in Egypt suits travelers who plan around the sun.
Fewer Crowds at the Great Sites
Summer is the quiet season for international tourism. Sites that are packed from October to April, such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, are far calmer. You will spend less time in queues at the tombs and more time in front of the art. Early morning visits in July can feel almost private.
Lower Prices
Hotels, flights and tour packages cost noticeably less than in peak season. Nile cruise ships have more cabins free, so you have a wider choice of ship and dates. You can often find Nile cruise deals that move you up a category, from a standard ship to one of the luxury Nile cruises, for the price of a winter booking.
The Best Season for the Red Sea
The Red Sea is at its warmest in summer. Water temperatures reach about 26°C in June and 28°C in August, and visibility on calm days is excellent. This is the season for long snorkeling sessions and dives, as our snorkeling in the Red Sea guide explains.
Long Days and Summer Flavors
Long daylight hours give you a cool dawn window for sightseeing and a long evening for the city. Summer is also mango season. Fresh mango juice from street stalls is one of the small pleasures of an Egyptian summer.
Best Places to Visit in Egypt in Summer
The smartest summer trips mix the Nile Valley with somewhere cooler or coastal.
Cairo and Giza
Visit the Giza Pyramids at opening time, ideally before 10am. Then spend the hot midday hours inside the air-conditioned Grand Egyptian Museum, which needs at least half a day. Cairo comes alive after sunset. Khan El Khalili is busiest from about 7pm until late, and a Nile dinner cruise in Cairo is a cool way to end the day.
Luxor and Aswan
Upper Egypt is the hottest region, but it rewards early risers. Plan temple visits for the first hours after opening and again in the late afternoon. In Aswan, a sunset felucca ride around Elephantine Island catches the river breeze. The evening sound and light show at Philae Temple runs after dark. If you plan a trip to Abu Simbel, leave Aswan before dawn so you arrive before the heat builds. Our guides to things to do in Luxor and things to do in Aswan have more ideas.
The Red Sea Coast
Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam are Egypt's summer favorites. They have sea breezes, resort pools, and coral reefs such as Giftun Island and Ras Mohammed. Marsa Alam, about three hours south of Hurghada, is known for dugongs and dolphins. See our guides to things to do in Hurghada and the best beaches in Egypt.
Alexandria
Alexandria is around 5°C cooler than Cairo. Its sights include the Qaitbay Citadel, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. In July and August its beaches fill with Egyptian families escaping the heat.
Magical Nile Cruise in the Shade of Summer
A Nile cruise is one of the most comfortable ways to see Upper Egypt in summer. Modern ships are fully air-conditioned, and most have a sun deck pool. Sightseeing is planned around the heat. Guides lead temple visits early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and the ship sails through the hottest hours while you rest, swim or watch the riverbanks from the shade.
A typical cruise between Luxor and Aswan lasts three to four nights, with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Read our Luxor to Aswan vs Aswan to Luxor comparison to choose a direction. Each summer month has its own cruise guide:
Many travelers combine the river with a beach stay. A Nile cruise from Hurghada links the two easily, and our guide to a Nile cruise and Red Sea trip shows how to split your days. Families traveling in the school holidays will find tips in our Nile cruise with kids guide.
In mid August, Egypt still marks Wafaa El Nil, a festival that recalls the ancient flood that once rose with the summer.
Summer Weather Tips for Egypt
A little planning turns the heat from a problem into a rhythm.
Plan Your Day Around the Sun
Start sightseeing at opening time. Many major sites open between 6am and 7am, and those early hours are the coolest of the day. Avoid outdoor sites between about 11am and 4pm. Use that window for museums, lunch, a nap or the pool. Head out again after 4pm for markets, sunset views and dinner. Take things slowly for the first 48 hours while your body adjusts. Book an early Luxor hot air balloon ride for the coolest views of the West Bank.
Stay Hydrated and Protected
Drink water before you feel thirsty, at least 3 liters a day in Upper Egypt. Stick to bottled or filtered water. Oral rehydration salts are sold cheaply at Egyptian pharmacies. Learn the signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness and headache. If they appear, move to the shade, cool down and drink. Seek medical help if you do not feel better within 30 minutes. Our health guide for Egypt covers water and food safety, and travel insurance for Egypt is worth having.
What to Pack
Pack loose, light-colored cotton or linen clothing. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, UV sunglasses and sunscreen of SPF 50 or higher, and reapply it every two hours. Add a light scarf for sun and for covering up at mosques. A refillable water bottle and comfortable walking shoes are essentials. Outside beach resorts, cover your shoulders and knees. Our Nile cruise packing list has the full checklist.
Getting Around in the Heat
Long road journeys are tiring in summer, so fly where you can. The flight from Cairo to Luxor takes about an hour, compared with around nine hours by road. A private guide with an air-conditioned vehicle lets you start at dawn and leave a site the moment the heat builds, which is harder on a fixed group schedule. Our comparison of private and group tours explains the difference. Carry some small cash for cold drinks and tips, as our guide to money in Egypt explains.
Book Your Nile Cruise and Sail Away Across the Summer Heat
Egypt in summer is not for everyone, but for travelers who rise early and rest at midday, it offers something rare. You can have the great temples almost to yourself, choose from the best ships at lower prices, and dive into the warmest water of the year. The heat shapes your day, but it does not have to limit your trip.
When the sun drops behind the western cliffs and the Nile turns gold, the long summer evening becomes the finest hour of the journey. Explore our Egypt tour packages with a Nile cruise, design a tailor made summer trip, or contact our team for summer prices and availability.
