Here are some tips to help guide you on what you can expect at different times of the year:
Weather-wise, Egypt is usually hot, sunny and dry. The warmer months are between May and October; the cooler months between November and April.
HOT SEASON
From May to October, southern Egypt which includes Abu Simbel, Aswan and Luxor, has the warmest daytime temperatures - sometimes as high as 42 Celsius (108 Fahrenheit). During that period, sightseeing is best enjoyed in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
Cairo, located further north, enjoys a summer daytime high of about 36 Celsius (97 Fahrenheit).
Alexandria, situated on the north coast, enjoys the cool breezes of the Mediterranean and a high of about 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). It is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike, as a summer destination.
Sharm El Sheikh, located to the east, on the Sinai Peninsula, has a summer peak of about 37 Celsius (99 Fahrenheit). Year-round sun, water sports and amazing resorts, make Sharm El Sheikh a popular year-round destination.
COOL SEASON
During the cool season, Abu Simbel, Aswan and Luxor have the mildest climate of Egypt, with a high of about 26 Celsius (79 Fahrenheit) - a key reason why these destinations and the Nile cruise have been especially attractive for Northern Hemisphere visitors since the 19th century.
The newer Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada have attracted their fair share of visitors in recent years, with similar temperatures.
Egypt's capital - Cairo, has an average daytime high of 21 Celsius (70 Fahrenheit). Alexandria to the north, is cooler, experiencing some wind and rain in the months of December and January.
Between the end of March and mid-May, visitors may experience hot, dry and dusty winds, named by the locals as "Khamsin". "Khamsin" is named for the 50 ("khamsin") days when the winds are expected to blow.
>>More on Egypt Temperatures
PEAK SEASON
New Year and Easter are the most popular periods for visitors, with bookings made far in advance.
RAMADAN AND OTHER MUSLIM FEASTS
When traveling to a country with a Muslim majority, it is good to know when the Islamic month of Ramadan falls.
2010
August 11 - September 9
2011
August 1 - August 29
August 11 - September 9
2011
August 1 - August 29
During Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast of no food and no water from sun-up to sun-down. Being with family and friends during the breaking of the fast at sun-down is especially important. You can expect that businesses will close early to allow enough time for workers to get home.
Following the breaking of the fast, businesses reopen and evenings in Egypt are among the liveliest of the year.
>>More on Holidays and Special Days in 2010
>>More on Holidays and Special Days in 2011
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