What to Wear in Cairo
Egypt · 6 monthly packing guides
Cairo runs Saharan summer with extreme dry heat (33-36°C / 91-97°F afternoons May-August, 30% humidity, 0 rain days typical). The wardrobe register splits across Islamic-historic Cairo (Khan el-Khalili souk, Al-Azhar Mosque founded 970 CE, Sultan Hassan Mosque from 1356, Old Cairo's Coptic quarter, the Citadel of Saladin) where covered shoulders and knees are the safe choice; and modern Cairo (Zamalek, Maadi, Heliopolis) running international-luxury contemporary. Maison Tahiya, Okhtein (handbags by Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf since 2014), Reemami (UAE-Lebanese), and the heritage Egyptian cotton brands lead local design. The Saharan principle (full-coverage loose fabric in light colors) applies year-round summer.
Choose your month below to match your layers and shoes to the weather. Across the months covered, average daily lows reach 10°C / 50°F in January; average highs reach 36°C / 97°F in July.
Compare Cairo by month
Monthly averages help compare packing needs; check the forecast before departure. Only months with published guides are listed. See the source notes below for station and measurement differences. Scroll across the table to see all weather details on a small screen.
| Month | Average low | Average high | Rain days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January packing guide | 10°C / 50°F | 19°C / 66°F | 1 | 10h 25m |
| May packing guide | 18°C / 64°F | 33°C / 91°F | 1 | 13h 25m |
| June packing guide | 22°C / 72°F | 35°C / 95°F | 0 | 13h 50m |
| July packing guide | 22°C / 72°F | 36°C / 97°F | 0 | 13h 35m |
| August packing guide | 24°C / 75°F | 35°C / 95°F | 0 | 12h 50m |
| December packing guide | 12°C / 54°F | 21°C / 70°F | 1 | 10h 15m |
Choose your Cairo packing list
Cairo in January: 19°C / 66°F days, 10°C / 50°F nights, and the Cairo International Book Fair from 20 January.
In this capsule: Grey herringbone tweed blazer with rust flecks; Cream ribbed crew-neck sweater; Olive pleated wide-leg trousers, cropped.
Cairo in May: 33°C / 91°F afternoons, 18°C / 64°F mornings, 30% humidity, 1 rain day — pre-summer Saharan heat builds.
In this capsule: Loose linen long-sleeve sun-cover (cream, beige); Maxi dress or knee-length kaftan; Wide-leg cream or beige trousers.
Cairo in June: 35°C / 95°F afternoons, 22°C / 72°F mornings, 0 rain days — Saharan summer begins, Eid al-Adha typically here.
In this capsule: Loose linen long-sleeve sun-cover (3+); Maxi dress + knee-length kaftan; Wide-leg cream or beige trousers (2 pairs).
Cairo in July: 36°C / 97°F afternoons, 22°C / 72°F mornings, 0 rain days — peak Saharan summer, Revolution Day July 23.
In this capsule: Loose linen long-sleeve sun-cover (3+); Maxi dress + knee-length kaftan (2 pieces); Wide-leg cream trousers (2+ pairs).
Cairo in August: 35°C / 95°F afternoons, 24°C / 75°F mornings, 0 rain days — peak Saharan summer continues, Coptic Dormition Aug 15-22.
In this capsule: Loose linen long-sleeve sun-cover (3+); Maxi dress + knee-length kaftan; Wide-leg cream trousers (2+ pairs).
Cairo in December: 21°C / 70°F days, 12°C / 54°F nights, and the Grand Egyptian Museum open to 9pm twice a week.
In this capsule: Camel double-breasted trench, belted, to the knee; White cotton shirt with a chest pocket; Cobalt fine-knit crew-neck sweater.
Climate sources by month
These credits follow the source recorded on each monthly guide. Climate figures inform the packing advice; outfit combinations and illustrations are editorial suggestions.
- January: Egyptian Meteorological Authority · Cairo International Airport (62366) · 1991–2020 normalsThe Egyptian Meteorological Authority's 1991–2020 normal for Cairo International Airport, as submitted to the WMO's normals collection.
- May: Egyptian Meteorological Authority · monthly climate averages
- June: Egyptian Meteorological Authority · monthly climate averages
- July: Egyptian Meteorological Authority · monthly climate averages
- August: Egyptian Meteorological Authority · monthly climate averages
- December: Egyptian Meteorological Authority · Cairo International Airport (62366) · 1991–2020 normalsThe Egyptian Meteorological Authority's 1991–2020 normal for Cairo International Airport, as submitted to the WMO's normals collection.
Frequently asked questions
Start with your travel month. The 6 published guides cover January, May, June, July, August, December. Compare the average low as well as the high: among these months, January has the lowest average low at 10°C / 50°F, while July has the highest average high at 36°C / 97°F. For a trip spanning two months, read both lists before deciding which layers to bring.
No. They are monthly climate averages for planning, not temperatures promised for a particular day or hour. Check the local forecast close to departure and adjust your layers and rain protection. The source, station and averaging period are listed for each month where recorded; different stations or rain-day definitions can affect comparisons.
No. Treat the capsule as a set of clothing functions: walking shoes, a base outfit, weather protection and any change for dinner or a venue's dress code. Start with equivalents you own. Adjust quantities to your trip length and laundry access; the illustrations are outfit suggestions, not a shopping requirement.