Last updated on November 14th, 2026 at 01:02 pm
The best time to visit Aswan is October to April, with warm days and cool nights. December to February is the most comfortable and busiest. Summer is extremely hot, so go early or choose another season.
Quick answer: November, December, February and March give the best mix of comfortable weather and reasonable prices. January is the coolest month, with chilly early mornings for the Abu Simbel trip. From May to September, plan sightseeing before 10 am and after 4 pm, and keep the middle of the day for the hotel pool or the air-conditioned Nubian Museum.
Aswan is one of the hottest places in Egypt. October to April gives pleasant sightseeing weather; December and January are the coolest months, while May to September are very hot. Plan outdoor sights for the morning in any season.
Average temperatures in Aswan by month (approximate, in °C):
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23 | 9 | Coolest month; cold mornings for Abu Simbel |
| February | 25 | 10 | Great weather; Abu Simbel sun alignment around 22 February |
| March | 29 | 13 | Warm and pleasant |
| April | 34 | 18 | Hot afternoons; sightsee early |
| May | 38 | 22 | Very hot |
| June | 41 | 25 | Extreme heat |
| July | 41 | 26 | Extreme heat |
| August | 41 | 26 | Extreme heat |
| September | 39 | 24 | Still very hot |
| October | 35 | 20 | Getting better; sun alignment around 22 October |
| November | 29 | 15 | Pleasant and quieter than winter |
| December | 24 | 11 | Comfortable and busy |
Days are warm and sunny and nights are cool, so bring a light jacket for evenings and early mornings. This is the busiest season, so book Abu Simbel, hotels and cruises early. The sun alignment at Abu Simbel takes place around 22 February; see our Abu Simbel Sun Festival guide.
December and January evenings on the Nile can feel cold on a felucca or a motorboat to a Nubian village, so pack a jumper. The water of Lake Nasser is too cool for most people to swim in winter.
March and April are still comfortable, but temperatures rise quickly and May can be very hot. Sightsee early and rest in the afternoon.
September is still hot, but October and November are pleasant and quieter than winter. The second Abu Simbel sun alignment is around 22 October. Check the sun festival guide.
October and November are a sweet spot: the heat drops, Nile cruises restart their full schedules and hotels are less busy than in late December.
Summer is extremely hot, with daytime temperatures often above 40 C. Visit early morning or late afternoon, drink plenty of water and plan indoor breaks. Prices are lower and crowds are small.
Christmas, New Year and the Egyptian winter holidays are the busiest times, and hotels and Nile cruises fill up. November, early December and March are a good balance of good weather and fewer people. Summer is the cheapest, but plan sightseeing for dawn and late afternoon only.
December to February for the most comfortable weather, or November and March for good weather with fewer crowds.
Very hot: daytime highs are often around 40 to 42°C from June to August.
Around 22 February and 22 October, when the sun reaches the inner sanctuary at sunrise.
Yes. Days are warm and sunny, but mornings and nights are cool, so bring a jacket.
Some Nile cruises and hotels offer their lowest prices of the year in summer, and Abu Simbel is much quieter. If you go, choose a hotel with a pool and reliable air conditioning, and book an early-morning Philae visit.
| Activity | Best time | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Simbel | October to April; 22 February and 22 October for the sun festival | Very early start in winter is cold; bring a jacket |
| Felucca on the Nile | All year, at sunset | Winter sunsets are around 5 pm |
| Nile cruise | October to April for weather; summer for lower prices | Book early for Christmas and New Year |
| Nubian village | Late afternoon, all year | In summer go after 4 pm |
| Philae | Opening time, or the evening show | Midday is hottest and brightest |
Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year. Sites stay open, but some hours change and many restaurants open only after sunset, so check the dates when you plan.
Go between October and April, with December to February for the best weather. If you must visit in summer, start at dawn and plan around the heat.
Book this experience: Aswan day tour: Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam from $25.
Visiting Aswan – A complete Guide to For First-time Travelers
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Guided trips with bottled water, transfers and hotels arranged for you.
