Cairo Holiday Weather Overview
Cairo is the largest city in the Middle-East and Africa and is the capital city of Egypt. The city is located on the Nile Delta and it has the nickname, “the city of a thousand minarets.”
Cairo was founded during the Fatimid Dynasty in the 10th Century though Cairo is often associated with Ancient Egypt as it stands close to the ancient cities of Giza, Fustat and Memphis as well as being close to the Egyptian monuments of the pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx.
Best food and places to eat in Cairo
There is plenty of food to choose from in Cairo with places such as the Shogun Japanese Restaurant that offers Japanese cuisine that is prepared in front of the customers. There is also Sabaya, a Middle Eastern and Eastern European style restaurant with meals that range from around £9 to £24 per person.
If you are looking for a more international menu then there is the Windows Restaurant and Floor 10, Kempinski Hotel that will not disappoint though there are slightly more expensive than other places you can dine in.
Other places you may want to try include Stavolta, Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant, the Birdcage, the Osmanly Restaurant and the Bellini Cocktail Lounge.
Top places to stay in Cairo
There are plenty of places to stay in Cairo and though there are some private rental options and cheaper hotel options, due to the levels of heat and number of mosquitos and other biting insects around it is advisable to stay in a hotel.
There are lots of hotels to choose from including the Kempinski Nile Hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, the Fairmont Cairo, the Pyramids View Inn, the Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah, the Hotel Longchamps, the Ramses Hilton, the Conrad Cairo, the Baron Hotel Helipolis Cairo, the InterContinental Citystars Cairo and the Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences.
There are slightly less expensive options when it comes to hotels with the Windsor Hotel Cairo, the City View Hotel, the Havana Hotel and the Talisman Hotel de Charme.
Things to do and see in Cairo
There is a lot more to do in Cairo than to trip out of the city to see the wonders of the Ancient World.
For those who are travelling solely to see the ancient monuments then the Gizeh Plateau, the Keops Pyramid, the Dahshur, the Saqqara, the Egyptians Antiquities Museum, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Kefre Pyramind, the Solar Boat Museum, Memphis and Saqqara, the Statue of Ramesses II, the Alabaster Sphinx and the Great Sphinx are all sights that you can visit whilst staying in Cairo.
However if you are wanting to do something more there is the Nilometer, the Coptic Museum, the Mohamed Ali Mosque, the Al-Azhar Park, the Old City, the Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, the Hanging Church, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the Citadel and the Cave Church that offer an alternative to the ancient wonders of Egypt.
Best month to visit Cairo
The best time to visit Cairo is during December, January and February as the climate is at its most pleasant. However this is also the most popular time for tourists to visit Cairo so the city can be extremely busy. Though they day time temperatures are still warm and the skies are still clear, the night time temperatures can be very cool dropping down to a low of around 8 degrees Celsius.
Climate in Cairo
Cairo has an arid, desert climate which means that the day time temperatures are always warm and the nights are cool. Unlike other climates there are two distinct seasons, a long hot summer from May until October and a mild winter from November to April. However there is very little difference in the weather between the seasons save for a change in the day time temperature and a directional change in the prevailing winds.
Cairo receives around 1cm of rain a year so the chances of rain are extremely low though the city is libel to flood due to its position on the Nile Delta.
When is the hottest time in Cairo?
This is the hottest time of year in Cairo with temperatures ranging between 22 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius on average though higher peaks have been known to happen. Though there is a millimetre or two of rain during May and October the rest of the summer season is generally without rainfall.
Winter in Cairo
Temperatures during this period have an average high of around 29 degrees Celsius during the day and a day time low of round 19 degrees Celsius. However during the night the temperature drops dramatically and ranges between 11 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius. Most of Cairo’s rain falls during this period with December being the wettest month with an average of 6mm of rain.
During March and April each year there are periods of time when the hot ‘khamsin’ wind blows and brings dust and sandstorms to the city. When this happens it is best to stay indoors until the dust storms have passed.
What to pack and wear in Cairo?
During the day all year round, light clothing is more than enough with the heat from the arid climate, however due to the amount of dust and sand that is around light colours aren’t recommended. As night time temperatures can get fairly low it is best to take some longer and warmer to wear if the nights get a little too chilly.
Best months to visit Cairo?
February and March are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Cairo. The weather averages gathered from Cairo weather forecast and Cairo weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 22°c and average of 253.8667 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Cairo?
January and February are the coldest months with temperature at around 10°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Cairo?
March and February receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 6.01mm.
Travelling to Cairo? Check out our Weather averages of Cairo to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Cairo section.