Are you planning a trip to Egypt? An important way to prepare for your trip is to find out what kind of weather you can expect at your destination, for instance so that you can pack appropriate clothing. Apart from booking your flight, possibly unblocking your bank card for use outside Europe and applying for an Egypt visa before you leave, it is also wise to ask yourself what the best period for your trip is.
Desert climate in most of the country
The desert climate
Due to the fact that Egypt consists of no less than 96% desert, the dry desert determines the climate in most parts of the country. The desert climate is characterised by low rainfall and extreme dryness. Areas with this climate have a large temperature difference between day and night (sometimes as much as 20℃), and Egypt is no different in that regard. This especially applies to Egypt’s interior, where the temperature differences between day and night can be fairly large. On the Mediterranean coast, these differences are less severe. Vegetation is limited because of the drought. Only cacti, other succulents and in some places palms grow in the country. In addition, there is only 26 millimetres of precipitation annually, mostly in the form of rain. The south of the country is the driest: it hardly ever rains there.
The table below shows the average temperatures of Hurghada, a popular holiday destination among tourists. Since the climate in resorts like Hurghada is not only determined by the desert but also by the sea, which makes the temperatures slightly milder, it is sometimes said that such resorts have a subtropical desert climate.
Climate table Red Sea (Hurghada)
| Month | Average min. temperature in °C Avg. min. temp. in °C | Average max. temperature in °C Avg. max. temp. in °C | Average number of days rain Avg. number days rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 24 | 1 |
| February | 10 | 24 | 0 |
| March | 12 | 25 | 0 |
| April | 17 | 28 | 1 |
| May | 20 | 32 | 1 |
| June | 24 | 34 | 0 |
| July | 24 | 38 | 0 |
| August | 26 | 37 | 0 |
| September | 24 | 36 | 0 |
| October | 20 | 33 | 1 |
| November | 17 | 28 | 1 |
| December | 12 | 26 | 1 |
The Mediterranean climate
A narrow strip on the Mediterranean Sea in the north of the country is an exception to the dry desert climate. Here, a Mediterranean climate can be found. This climate is characterised by hot and dry summers. Winters are mild, but wetter than in the rest of Egypt, allowing for more natural vegetation. Temperatures here are somewhat lower than in the rest of Egypt, even in summer, and there is about 200 millimetres of rainfall annually.
Climate table Mediterranean (Alexandria)
| Month | Average min. temperature in °C Avg. min. temp. in °C | Average max. temperature in °C Avg. max. temp. in °C | Average number of days rain Avg. number days rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 19 | 8 |
| February | 10 | 20 | 5 |
| March | 12 | 22 | 3 |
| April | 14 | 24 | 1 |
| May | 19 | 26 | 0-1 |
| June | 21 | 29 | 0 |
| July | 23 | 30 | 0 |
| August | 22 | 31 | 0-1 |
| September | 19 | 30 | 0-1 |
| October | 19 | 28 | 2 |
| November | 16 | 25 | 4 |
| December | 12 | 21 | 8 |
The Seasons in Egypt
There are two distinct seasons in Egypt: summer and winter. Summer lasts from May to October and winter from November to April. In summer, it gets very hot in Egypt, and egularly applying sun cream with a high factor is strongly advised. Apart from the high temperatures, the sun's strength in the summer months can exceed 10. Remember to carry plenty of drinking water with you when you go outdoors. Sunglasses and a cap for protection against the sun are also a necessity.
Even in winter, temperatures of 21 to 27℃ can be reached in Hurghada. However, it can cool down considerably in the evening. For a trip in the winter months, it is therefore advised packing not only short-sleeved t-shirts and shorts, but also some warmer clothing. From March to May, there is a chance of the so-called khamsin or sirocco, a hot and dry south wind that can reach speeds of up to 140 km/hour. This hot wind can cause temperatures to rise rapidly by up to 20℃.
Best time to travel to Egypt
When you go on holiday, you naturally want good weather. What the ideal weather is for your trip to Egypt depends largely on your travel plans. Egypt is warm throughout the year and there is hardly any precipitation in most parts of the country. For those who like to enjoy the sun and for whom high temperatures (which can reach 40 °C in the shade in Egypt) are not an issue, the months from July to September are the ideal time for a trip.
The sun is guaranteed to shine in the country, whatever month you travel. Egypt is therefore very popular with holidaymakers who want to get away for the summer holidays to a country where the weather is nice. The months of September to March are very suitable for travellers who do not like extreme heat and prolonged drought. The area around the Mediterranean Sea, where the Mediterranean climate prevails, has pleasant temperatures all year round and has a higher humidity than the rest of the country. However, it is mainly the seaside resorts at the Red Sea that are especially popular among holidaymakers.
Egypt visa application
You can apply for an Egypt visa online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can even apply for your visa before you have booked your holiday and/or flight, but you have to fill in an expected arrival date in the application form. The visa is valid for ninety days During these 90 days, you can stay in Egypt for up to 30 days. The Egypt visa can be applied for in a single-entry variant and in a multiple-entry variant. Both visa types have a total validity of ninety days, but the single-entry type allows you to travel to Egypt once, while the multiple-entry variant allows you to make an unlimited number of trips to Egypt. For both variants, the maximum length of stay in Egypt is 30 days. Before applying for a visa and booking your trip, it is advised determining the most suitable period for your visit to Egypt.
Take note: this news article about the visa for Egypt is more than one year old. It might contain outdated information and advice, and no rights can therefore be derived from this article. Are you going on a trip soon and do you wish to do know what rules currently apply? Read all about the up-to-date information about the visa for Egypt.