Egypt in January: Fantastic Weather, Tours and Tips
Egypt in January is one of the best times to visit the land of the pharaohs. Travelers will find sunny, beautiful weather, perfect for a historical affair or outdoor sightseeing in the cooler Cairo, and sunbathing in spectacular resorts like lavish Hurghada or famous Sharm el Sheik. Visiting Egypt at the beginning of the year can be just the ideal holiday you are looking for.
- Eduardo
- From USA
Egypt Weather in January
The weather in Egypt is pleasant in January throughout the country, but temperatures may vary depending on your destination. In Cairo, for instance, while evenings can drop down to 10°C, daytime highs average about 19°C. Traveling further south to the stunning Egyptian beaches, you will encounter warmer weather with an average temperature of 11°C at night and daytime highs of 23°C in Hurghada and Luxor.
Both Cairo and the southern areas show very little rain in January, but it can get wetter if your destination is the northern coast. Alexandria awaits visitors with about 11 days of precipitation and temperatures of 18°C during the day and around 9°C at night. Also, storms hit the beaches on the Sinai Peninsula on rare occasions, but usually, the average temperatures drop from 22°C during the day to 14° C at night in popular places like Sharm el Sheik.
And to further satisfy your curiosity about this beautiful country, go through our seasonal overview on the best time to visit Egypt.
Weather in Egypt in January - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 18 | 18 | 22 | 27 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 23 | 19 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 9 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 10 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 65 | 65 | 72 | 81 | 90 | 94 | 94 | 92 | 90 | 83 | 74 | 67 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 49 | 49 | 54 | 59 | 65 | 68 | 72 | 72 | 68 | 65 | 58 | 50 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 15 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Dec | Jan | Feb | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 19 | 18 | 18 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 67 | 65 | 65 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 50 | 49 | 49 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 3 | 15 | 4 |
Why visit Egypt in January
January is wintertime in Egypt, meaning it is the high season with a lot of tourists traveling the country. Here is why you should book your holiday to Egypt in January.
- Fantastic weather for sightseeing: January is a peak month, and, if crowds don’t bother you, the pleasant weather anywhere in Egypt allows visitors to explore all the outdoor landmarks and historical wonders without fighting the usual unbearable heat.
- Multiple options: High seasons bring lots of crowds, but the silver lining is that everything is open for you to visit. Also, you have multiple options for transportation and tours.
- Head to the beach: For some, the southern coastal regions can become suffocating during the summer months, but in January, they welcome you with warm, pleasant weather perfect for a pampering beach holiday.
Where to go and what to do
January in Egypt is perfect for sightseeing, and Egypt has a multitude of stunning temples, tombs, and other ancient sites to visit. If history is your cup of tea, visiting the Pyramids of Giza is a must. And while in Cairo, visits to the Al-Azhar Mosque and the Sultan Hassan Mosque might be a great way to dive into Egyptian culture. History aficionados should pair sightseeing in Cairo with a day tour to Alexandria, where the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages, is ready to amaze and inspire.
Beach lovers shouldn’t miss a sunny holiday in Dahab, Marsa Alam, or Sharm el Sheik, one of the world’s best places for diving. Another diving spot to check out is the popular Jolanda Reef and Thistlegorm, one of the top wreck dives in the world. Combine sunbathing and diving with an authentic camel ride to Mount Sinai to have the ultimate Sharm el Sheik escapade and don’t forget to stop at the foot of the mountain to visit St. Catherine's Monastery, the Sinai Peninsula's top historical landmark.
Active visitors can join the Annual Egyptian Marathon, which takes place every year in January, while book lovers who choose to visit Cairo can check out the Arab world’s biggest and oldest book event, Cairo International Book Fair.
And, if you want to indulge in the southern attractions in a different way, you can book a cruise along the Nile River. Traveling during the peak season will give you plenty of Nile cruising options.
If you want to visit Egypt in January, get ready for the high season and one of the best months to explore the country's rich history and outdoor wonders. You might encounter crowds of people, but with the weather being so friendly and the sights breathtaking, the busy peak month will be a delight.
Check out our guide on how many days to spend in Egypt to plan out all the activities you want on your holiday. If you feel you need a hand with your next vacation plans, our experts will help you. You deserve a customized escapade to Egypt!
Go through our tours to Egypt in January for more ideas.
