The best time to visit the pyramids at a glance
The plateau is open desert with little shade. In the cooler months you can walk the open ground for hours. From June to September the average daily high is 33 to 35 °C, and a long visit in the middle of the day gets hard.
For most visitors, November to March is the comfortable window. April and October also work if you start early and accept warmer afternoons. Winter nights are cool, with averages around 10 °C in January, so bring a layer for the first hours.
Whatever the month, the plan is the same: be at the gate when it opens. Book a pyramid ticket or a Giza pyramids tour with an early start, and keep the museum or lunch for the hot hours.
Cairo weather by month
Long-term averages for Cairo, 1981 to 2010. These are monthly means of daily highs and lows, not forecasts and not records. Today's weather can differ.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.0 °C | 9.7 °C | 4.8 mm |
| February | 20.3 °C | 10.3 °C | 4.1 mm |
| March | 23.4 °C | 12.3 °C | 5.7 mm |
| April | 28.2 °C | 15.4 °C | 1.1 mm |
| May | 31.9 °C | 18.4 °C | 0.4 mm |
| June | 34.6 °C | 21.4 °C | 0.0 mm |
| July | 34.8 °C | 22.9 °C | 0.0 mm |
| August | 34.5 °C | 23.3 °C | 0.0 mm |
| September | 33.1 °C | 21.7 °C | 0.1 mm |
| October | 29.7 °C | 19.0 °C | 0.4 mm |
| November | 24.7 °C | 14.6 °C | 3.7 mm |
| December | 20.4 °C | 11.0 °C | 4.5 mm |
For most visitors, the best months are November to March for long days outdoors, with spring and autumn as good second choices. If you can only travel in summer, plan one early morning on the plateau and spend the afternoon indoors.
Our pick: sunrise at the pyramids
The early start avoids the midday heat.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pyramids tours and day trips from Cairo
Guided tours of the Giza Plateau, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Saqqara, with live prices and availability. Compare start times if you want to beat the heat.
Season by season
December to February
The coolest months, with average highs of 19 to 20 °C and lows near 10 °C. Rain is rare but a little more likely than in summer, at 4 to 5 mm on average.
March and April
Highs climb from 23 to 28 °C. Good for walking, and the afternoons are warm by April.
May to September
Average highs of 32 to 35 °C. Go at opening time, drink water often and plan shade and breaks.
October and November
Highs fall from about 30 to 25 °C. A good time for a longer day outdoors, with warm afternoons in October.
Rain is rare in every month. The wettest months, November to March, average about 4 to 6 mm, and no month is guaranteed dry. Monthly means are not the hottest it can get, so pack water and sun protection.
Opening hours and the time of day
The plateau is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00. The Great Pyramid and the Menkaure pyramid are open 07:00 to 17:00. Check the current timetable at the gate, and see the ticket page for prices.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is a good place for the hot hours. On Wednesday and Saturday the complex stays open until 22:00 and the galleries until 21:00. On the other days the complex closes at 19:00 and the galleries at 18:00. Last entry is 1 hour before the galleries close. Read more on the Grand Egyptian Museum page.
The sound and light show is the evening option. Dates and times can change, so check before you go.
Ramadan 2027
Ramadan is expected to begin on 9 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr on 10 March 2027. Both dates are provisional and depend on the moon sighting. Opening hours can change during Ramadan: the plateau may run 08:00 to 15:30, and the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir Square is open 09:00 to 16:00. Check the current timetable before you go.
In 2027 Ramadan falls in the cooler part of the year, with February and March averages of 20 to 23 °C for the daily high. Book timed tickets, such as the Grand Egyptian Museum, for a specific day only once you know the current hours.
Travelling on to the south? See the weather guides for Luxor and Aswan.
Plan the rest of your visit
Best time to visit the pyramids: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit the pyramids?
For most visitors, November to March: average highs of 19 to 25 °C and comfortable for hours outdoors. April and October also work if you start early.
Which month is the hottest?
July has the highest average high at 34.8 °C, followed closely by August and June. Individual days can be hotter than the monthly mean.
Does it rain at the pyramids?
Rarely. The wettest months, November to March, average about 4 to 6 mm. From June to August the average is 0.0 mm, but no month is guaranteed dry.
When is Ramadan in 2027?
Expected from 9 February to about 10 March 2027, with Eid al-Fitr on 10 March. The dates are provisional and depend on the moon sighting.
Are the pyramids open during Ramadan?
Yes, but hours can differ. Some visitor guides give 08:00 to 15:30 for the plateau. Check the current timetable before you go.
What time of day should I go?
At opening time, which is 08:00 on the plateau. The first hours are the coolest, and you can spend the hot afternoon in a museum.