Month by month
Egypt in August
European holiday traffic on the coast, near-empty temples inland.
What Egypt in August is actually like
Egypt in August has the warmest sea of the year at around 31C, which is close to bathwater and not to everyone's taste for diving.
The paradox of August is that the Red Sea resorts fill with European school-holiday traffic while Luxor and Aswan are as empty as they ever get. If you can handle the heat, you will have the Valley of the Kings largely to yourself.
Prices on the coast rise with the demand; inland they stay at their lowest.
What Egypt in August is good for
- ▲Snorkelling in the warmest water of the year, at around 31C.
- ▲Empty temples, if you can tolerate the conditions — the Valley of the Kings is as quiet as it ever gets.
- ▲Alexandria, which is several degrees cooler than Cairo and has a Mediterranean breeze.
One thing to plan for
European school holidays fill the Red Sea resorts while the Nile valley stays empty. Prices move in opposite directions on the two halves of the country.
Egypt in August at a glance
| Cairo | 35°C |
| Luxor and Aswan | 41°C |
| Red Sea water | 31°C |
| Crowds | Quiet |
| Prices | Low season |
Typical daytime highs. Sea temperature is Hurghada. Approximate.
Common questions
Is August a good time to visit Egypt?+
European holiday traffic on the coast, near-empty temples inland. Expect about 35C in Cairo and 41C in Luxor, with the Red Sea around 31C.
How hot is Luxor in August?+
Typical daytime highs are around 41C. Upper Egypt is consistently hotter than Cairo, and the Valley of the Kings has almost no shade, so morning visits are better than afternoon ones whatever the month.
Can you swim in the Red Sea in August?+
Yes. At around 31C the water is comfortably warm for swimming, snorkelling and diving.
Is August expensive?+
Low season. This is when Egypt is at its cheapest, with real savings on boats and hotels.
Official sources
Entry rules, opening hours, security advice and exchange rates all move. Check them at the source, not here.
- UK FCDO travel advice for Egypt ↗It updates continuously, and most UK travel insurance follows it.