"Saison sèche idéale, 22°C journée."
Expert on Cairo · 1 contributions
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Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit Cairo is October to April. The most recommended months are Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Août, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre.
Oct, Nov, Déc, Jan, Fév, Mar, Avr
Saison fraîche — la meilleure période
- ✅Températures idéales entre 14 et 28 °C, parfaites pour marcher dans le Vieux Caire
- ✅Ciel souvent dégagé, lumière magnifique sur les minarets et la Citadelle
- ✅Affluence touristique gérable sauf à Noël et au Nouvel An
- ❌Soirées fraîches (8-12 °C) en décembre-janvier, prévoir une veste
- ❌Tarifs hôteliers en hausse de fin décembre à début janvier
- ❌Quelques jours de khamsin (vent de sable) possibles entre mars et avril
Mai, Juin, Jui, Aoû, Sep
Été — chaleur écrasante
- ✅Tarifs hôteliers au plus bas, sites moins fréquentés
- ✅Soirées longues, terrasses ouvertes jusque tard
- ❌Chaleur extrême (35-42 °C en juin-août), visites épuisantes
- ❌Pollution atmosphérique accentuée par la chaleur
- ❌Ramadan : commerces et restaurants à horaires bouleversés (dates variables)
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Cairo across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 9° | 9° | 12° | 15° | 19° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 23° | 19° | 15° | 12° |
| Max | 20° | 21° | 25° | 31° | 35° | 38° | 39° | 39° | 37° | 32° | 27° | 23° |
| Mer | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pluie | 4mm | 10mm | 13mm | 1mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 2mm | 3mm | 6mm |
| Soleil/j | 9.2h | 9h | 10.6h | 11.5h | 12.2h | 13.6h | 13.6h | 12.2h | 11.6h | 10.6h | 9.6h | 9.2h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
60
Fév
65
Mar
75
Avr
75
Mai
55
Jui
40
Jui
30
Aoû
35
Sep
55
Oct
75
Nov
75
Déc
70
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I plan for Cairo?+
Three days minimum to cover the essentials: one day for Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, one day for Islamic Cairo (Citadel, Al-Azhar Mosque, Khan el-Khalili) and one day for the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square and Coptic Cairo. With 4-5 days you can add a Saqqara and Memphis excursion, wander Zamalek and enjoy the Nile terraces without rushing.
Is Cairo a safe destination?+
Broadly yes — Cairo is safe for tourists. Police presence is strong around tourist sites and major hotels. The main annoyances are commercial harassment (often insistent but harmless) and pickpockets on crowded transport. Avoid political demonstrations and stay alert at night in remote working-class districts. Solo women should favour modest clothing and avoid deserted streets after dark.
How do I get around Cairo?+
The Cairo metro (3 lines) is the fastest way to bypass the monstrous traffic jams, with a women-only carriage on each line. Uber and Careem work very well and are very cheap (€2-5 per ride in town). White metered taxis are also reliable. Don't rent a car: Cairo driving is among the most chaotic in the world.
Which neighbourhood should I stay in?+
Zamalek (Gezira island, on the Nile) is the most pleasant area: relatively quiet, embassies, international restaurants, 15 minutes by taxi from the Egyptian Museum and Khan el-Khalili. Garden City and Downtown are central and historic. Avoid sleeping in Giza itself unless you want the pyramids on your doorstep — you'll lose time getting to the centre.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?+
Yes, but it's simple: most European, UK, US and Canadian travellers can get an e-visa online (USD 25 for 30 days) via the official site visa2egypt.gov.eg, or a visa on arrival at Cairo airport for the same fee. Allow 5-7 working days for the e-visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date.
What should I eat in Cairo?+
Cairo cuisine is one of the most flavourful and affordable in the Arab world. Definitely try koshari (rice, pasta, lentils, tomato sauce, fried onions — the national dish), ful medames (fava bean mash with cumin), ta'amiyya (Egyptian fava-bean falafel), mahshi (stuffed vegetables) and oriental pastries (basbousa, konafa, qatayef). Popular addresses include Abou Tarek (koshari, Downtown), Felfela and Naguib Mahfouz Café at Khan el-Khalili.
Egyptian Museum or Grand Egyptian Museum?+
Both! They're complementary. The historic __Egyptian Museum__ on Tahrir Square (1902) still holds a vast collection of royal mummies, statues and ritual objects in its uniquely old-school atmosphere. The __Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)__ in Giza, officially inaugurated in 2024, now hosts the entire Tutankhamun treasure (5,400 pieces) and many collections transferred from Tahrir. Plan a half-day minimum for each.
Our verdict
Cairo is a full-blown experience, one of the most intense any major city can offer. Between Saladin's Citadel, the labyrinth of the Khan el-Khalili, the pharaonic treasures of the Egyptian Museum and the buzz of Nile terraces, you understand why travellers rarely come back unchanged. The friction is real — chaotic traffic, pollution, summer heat, commercial hassle — but it is part of the journey. Come ideally between October and April, plan at least three full days, sleep in a quieter quarter like Zamalek or Garden City, and accept that Cairo has to be earned. Cairo isn't visited: it's lived.
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