What to wear in Egypt, month by month and place by place
The short answer: Light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees work almost everywhere: the UK government advises dressing modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and markets. What changes by month is the heat, from cool winter nights to average summer highs above 40 °C in Luxor and Aswan. Choose a month below for each place's average and what to pack.
What to pack, month by month
Choose a month: the average high and low in each place, and what to wear
January
- Cairo18.9 / 10.1 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Luxor22.8 / 7.1 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Aswan23.2 / 10 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)22.2 / 11.6 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Siwa19.8 / 6.1 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Alexandria18.4 / 9.5 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
February
- Cairo20.5 / 11 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Luxor25.3 / 8.9 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Aswan25.9 / 11.7 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)23.5 / 12.4 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Siwa22.1 / 7.3 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Alexandria19 / 9.7 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
March
- Cairo23.8 / 13.2 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Luxor29.7 / 12.8 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Aswan30.3 / 15.5 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)26.2 / 15.1 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Siwa26.2 / 10.9 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Alexandria21.1 / 11.8 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
April
- Cairo28.1 / 15.9 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Luxor35 / 17.5 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Aswan35.5 / 20.1 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)29.9 / 18.7 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Siwa31.6 / 14.8 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Alexandria24.1 / 14.3 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
May
- Cairo32.2 / 19.3 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Luxor39.1 / 22.1 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Aswan39.5 / 24.6 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)33.7 / 23.1 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Siwa36.1 / 19.3 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Alexandria26.9 / 17.8 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
June
- Cairo34.6 / 22.2 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Luxor41.2 / 25 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Aswan41.6 / 26.7 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)36.3 / 26.1 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Siwa39.7 / 22.6 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Alexandria29.1 / 21.7 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
July
- Cairo35 / 23.8 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Luxor41.4 / 25.7 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Aswan41.9 / 27.8 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)37.4 / 27.8 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Siwa40.2 / 24.3 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Alexandria30.5 / 23.9 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
August
- Cairo34.9 / 24.3 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Luxor41.2 / 25.6 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Aswan41.9 / 27.9 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)37.5 / 28 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Siwa40.4 / 24.6 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Alexandria31 / 24.4 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
September
- Cairo33.4 / 22.7 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Luxor39.3 / 23.3 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Aswan40 / 25.5 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)35.3 / 25.6 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Siwa37.3 / 21.8 °CVery hot: dawn and late afternoonWear: the lightest covering clothes you own, a wide hat, and a bottle of water; sightsee at dawn.
- Alexandria30.2 / 22.5 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
October
- Cairo30 / 20 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Luxor35.5 / 19.6 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Aswan36.4 / 22.3 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)32.1 / 22.2 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Siwa32.8 / 17.2 °CHot: sightsee earlyWear: loose linen or cotton that covers arms and legs keeps the sun off; a wide hat and sunglasses.
- Alexandria27.8 / 19.3 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
November
- Cairo24.9 / 15.6 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Luxor29.1 / 13.4 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Aswan29.8 / 16.2 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)27.8 / 17.7 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Siwa26.3 / 12.1 °CWarmWear: light long trousers or a long skirt, a shirt with sleeves, a hat and sun cream.
- Alexandria24 / 15.1 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
December
- Cairo20.5 / 11.7 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Luxor24.2 / 8.6 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Aswan24.5 / 11.4 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Hurghada (Red Sea)23.8 / 13.4 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Siwa21.2 / 7.8 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
- Alexandria20.1 / 11.1 °CMildWear: layers. A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, long trousers, closed shoes.
Every month in one table (mean daily maximum, °C)
| Month | Cairo | Luxor | Aswan | Hurghada (Red Sea) | Siwa | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18.9 | 22.8 | 23.2 | 22.2 | 19.8 | 18.4 |
| Feb | 20.5 | 25.3 | 25.9 | 23.5 | 22.1 | 19 |
| Mar | 23.8 | 29.7 | 30.3 | 26.2 | 26.2 | 21.1 |
| Apr | 28.1 | 35 | 35.5 | 29.9 | 31.6 | 24.1 |
| May | 32.2 | 39.1 | 39.5 | 33.7 | 36.1 | 26.9 |
| Jun | 34.6 | 41.2 | 41.6 | 36.3 | 39.7 | 29.1 |
| Jul | 35 | 41.4 | 41.9 | 37.4 | 40.2 | 30.5 |
| Aug | 34.9 | 41.2 | 41.9 | 37.5 | 40.4 | 31 |
| Sep | 33.4 | 39.3 | 40 | 35.3 | 37.3 | 30.2 |
| Oct | 30 | 35.5 | 36.4 | 32.1 | 32.8 | 27.8 |
| Nov | 24.9 | 29.1 | 29.8 | 27.8 | 26.3 | 24 |
| Dec | 20.5 | 24.2 | 24.5 | 23.8 | 21.2 | 20.1 |
Temperatures: NOAA climate normals 1991–2020, as on our best-time guide. What to wear is our judgement, from the average high.
What mosques, churches and monasteries ask
- Mosques and churches: cover shoulders and knees. Women may be asked to cover their hair in mosques, so a light scarf is worth carrying.
- Shoes: you take them off to enter a mosque; slip-ons save time.
- St Catherine's Monastery: shoulders and knees covered, as at any working monastery.
- Tombs and temples: no dress rule beyond modesty, but closed shoes help on uneven stone and steep tomb passages.
The UK government's advice (read 30 September 2026) is to dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs, and notes that behaviour accepted in tourist resorts may not be accepted elsewhere. During Ramadan, it adds, clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence.
For women, for men, and at the beach
Women
In our judgement: loose trousers or long skirts, tops that cover the shoulders and upper arms, and a light scarf. It is about comfort in the sun as much as custom. See [solo female travel](/guides/egypt-solo-female-travel).
Men
In our judgement: long trousers or knee-length shorts in cities and at sites, and long trousers for mosques. Sleeveless tops draw attention away from the resorts.
At the resorts
Swimwear is normal at hotel pools and beaches. Cover up to walk into town, as the UK advice on resort behaviour suggests.
In our judgement, pack these whatever the month:
- A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Closed walking shoes for temples and tombs
- A light scarf: shade, dust and mosques
- A warm layer for the desert at night and for early starts in winter
- A fleece and hat for a night climb of Mount Sinai
Where to go from here
Sources and review
Reviewed on by Deluxe Trips Egypt. Official statements are attributed to their source; where we give a judgement, we say so. This guide names no school, boat or hotel.
Photo: Djehouty, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
