Egypt in October: A Time of Festivities
Egypt in October is the start of the peak season and a stellar month to visit. You can expect temperate weather conditions, amazing festivals and everything starting to open up. The weather in Egypt is perfect for exploring the ancient sites of Alexandria or cruising the Nile, while several local festivals—like the Abu Simbel Sun Festival— also occur this month, making October a lively time to visit Egypt.
- Eduardo
- From USA
Egypt Weather in October
With October being at the end of fall and the start of winter, the temperatures in Egypt drop to a daily average of 28°C, which is still warm enough to enjoy a beach getaway. However, if you’re looking to visit the capital city, Cairo, you can expect warmer temperatures up to 32°C, as there isn’t as much of a coastal breeze.
The rain levels remain low, ebbing between 1-15mm for the entire month. The occasional rainfall is short and sparse, so you can still enjoy all the wonders that Egypt has to offer during October.
For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Egypt.
Weather in Egypt in October - 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 |
| Sep | Oct | Nov | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 32 | 28 | 23 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 20 | 18 | 14 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 90 | 83 | 74 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 68 | 65 | 58 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Why Visit Egypt in October
October offers plenty of reasons to book a holiday in Egypt. Here are a few.
- More options: With the start of peak season, more tour companies and tourist-focused establishments are opening back up for business. Similarly, more resorts will be running activities to cater to the crowds. You will have plenty of options in terms of destinations and how to get there.
- Abu Simbel Sun Festival: On the 21st of October there’s a huge festival that commemorates the day that Ramses II—one of the most famous pharaohs in Egyptian history—ascended to the throne. It’s a one-of-a-kind event that you don’t want to miss out on.
- Celebrate harvest with Siyaha: During October, you can experience Siyaha, a full moon harvest festival at the Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert. Expect Sufi chanting, dancing, delicious food and a nighttime prayer circle that’s a huge cultural moment to witness. It is a great opportunity to find out more about local Egyptian culture.
- Moulid of Sayyed Al Badawi: Get in touch with the religious history of the Sufi people as they engage on a pilgrimage along the Nile Delta. This pilgrimage is in honor of Sayyed Al Badawi, a 13th-century hero who helped to defeat the crusaders.
Where to go and what to do
Want to inject some history and culture into your trip? Travel to Alexandria to check out the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. The underground nature of the catacombs offers a cooling respite from the north African sun. While in Alexandria, check out some of the other historical sites like Serapeum and Pompey's Pillar, erected for the Roman emperor, or the Alexandria National Museum that’s full of interesting artifacts.
October is the perfect time to check out the beach towns of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. As it’s just the start of the peak season, the crowds may not have fully descended yet and you might be able to score yourself a deal. The more manageable coastal temperatures aren’t overwhelming and, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, there are plenty of activities including parasailing, and windsurfing available to try!
Looking to add more adventure to your Egyptian holiday? Egypt is home to beautiful resorts with world-class scuba diving. The cooler temperatures and tourist spots reopening mean that October is an ideal time to get qualified. A trip to Dahab is ideal for scuba diving as it is packed with great resorts and amenities for you to enjoy even when you’re out of the water. Don’t worry about bringing all your gear, scuba diving is a popular activity here, so you can rent everything you need when you arrive. Why not enjoy a holiday and come back with a new skill?
If you’re looking to explore the expansive desert landscapes in Egypt, October is a great month to go on a desert safari. As October is cooler than the summer months with the nighttime temperatures in the desert getting down, it’s possible to explore the desert on a guided 4x4 tour, and appreciate nature at its finest.
All in all, October is an excellent time to visit Egypt, and the earlier in the month, the better (in terms of prices and crowds). However, no matter when you visit, there will be plenty of festivals, culture, history and beaches to appreciate.
It’s not always easy to plan an entire trip on your own, so why not take advantage of our customizable trip tool? Just put in your dates and party size and our travel experts will do the hard work for you.
Why not go through our tours to Egypt in October for more inspiration.
