Egypt in April is a very good month for the Red Sea and Cairo, but already hot in Upper Egypt: about 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon in Hurghada, 28 °C (82 °F) in Cairo and 35 °C (95 °F) in Luxor and Aswan. Verdict: ⚠️ with reservations: ideal for a beach stay or a Cairo + Red Sea tour, more demanding for a Nile cruise (dawn visits), with a risk of khamsin, the spring sandstorm wind. All the periods are on our page on when to go to Egypt. For a Cairo and Red Sea tour, our Cairo travel guide helps you organise the visits before heading to the coast.
April is the tipping point between the mild winter and the scorching summer. It hardly rains: the only real criterion is the heat, which is very different between the coast, the north and the Nile Valley.
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Egypt in April: key facts
- Cairo: 28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon, 16 °C (61 °F) at night
- Luxor and Aswan: 35 to 36 °C (95 to 97 °F) in the afternoon, 17 to 20 °C (63 to 68 °F) at night
- Red Sea: 30 °C (86 °F) in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the best months for the beach and diving
- Khamsin: episodes of hot, sandy wind possible from March to May
- Crowds: heavy at Easter, then easing
Weather in Egypt in April: city by city
| City | Max | Min | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 28.1 °C (83 °F) | 15.9 °C (61 °F) | ✅ Mild |
| Luxor | 35.0 °C (95 °F) | 17.5 °C (64 °F) | ⚠️ Strong heat |
| Aswan | 35.5 °C (96 °F) | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | ⚠️ Strong heat |
| Hurghada | 29.9 °C (86 °F) | 18.7 °C (66 °F) | ✅ Beach, diving |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | 30.4 °C (87 °F) | 20.6 °C (69 °F) | ✅ Beach, diving |
Rain is almost absent: 0.3 mm (0.01 in) on average in April in Luxor. The gap between day and night remains marked in the Nile Valley (17 °C (63 °F) at dawn in Luxor). Sandstorms are common in spring and reduce visibility and air quality (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025). During a khamsin episode, the sky turns hazy, visibility drops and the temperature can rise suddenly for a few hours or a few days, sometimes disrupting domestic flights or boat trips.
Things to do in Egypt in April
- The Red Sea: Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh, with warming water and air that is still bearable.
- Cairo, Giza and Saqqara: April is one of the best windows for the pyramids and the historic centre.
- Luxor and Aswan: possible, starting visits very early (Valley of the Kings, Karnak) and resting during the hot hours.
- The tour + beach combination: Cairo, then a flight to Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh.
Nile cruise in April: is it sensible?
Yes, if you accept the heat. With an afternoon average of 35 °C (95 °F) in Luxor and Aswan, visits need to be done before about 11 a.m., and the Abu Simbel excursion requires a very early start. Boats are generally air-conditioned. If the cruise is the heart of your trip, November to February remains more comfortable; in April, a short cruise combined with the Red Sea is a good compromise.
Holidays, crowds and prices in April
Easter and spring holiday periods make the early part of April the busiest of the month, especially on the Red Sea (Western Easter falls on 28 March 2027), and flights and cruises should be booked 3 to 5 months ahead. Crowds then ease. Sham el-Nessim, the spring festival, is celebrated in April or May depending on the year. Muslim holidays follow the lunar calendar, so check the dates of Ramadan and Eid each year.
What to pack for Egypt in April
- Light, covering clothes (shoulders and knees), comfortable in the heat and at religious sites.
- A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a water bottle: at least two litres of water a day.
- A scarf against sand in case of khamsin.
- A light jacket for cool mornings in the Nile Valley.
- Mask and fins for the Red Sea.
For visas, passport validity and arrival procedures, see our guide to the entry requirements for Egypt.
10-day itinerary idea for April
In April, the most comfortable combination is to start with the Nile Valley and end on the Red Sea:
- Days 1 to 3: Cairo, Giza and Saqqara; the Egyptian Museum in the middle of the day, out of the heat.
- Days 4 to 6: flight to Luxor: Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Medinet Habu at sunrise, then rest during the hot hours.
- Option: a short cruise from Luxor to Aswan, or an excursion to Abu Simbel from Aswan, very early in the morning.
- Days 7 to 10: Hurghada or Marsa Alam for the beach and diving.
- Allow for: some margin in case of a khamsin episode, which can delay a domestic flight or cancel a boat trip.
Good to know on the ground
- Visit open-air sites before 11 a.m. and always carry water.
- Tipping is very common: carry small notes in Egyptian pounds (see our Egypt guide).
- In case of khamsin, protect your eyes and airways and check the status of your domestic flight.
- In many areas of Egypt tap water is not safe to drink, while bottled water and beverages are generally safe (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025); the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026) lists dengue among the health risks, so protect yourself from mosquito bites.
If April does not suit you
March is milder in Upper Egypt (close to 30 °C (86 °F) in Luxor) and better suited to a full tour. For the temples in the best conditions, see Egypt in February or Egypt in December. May is still good for the Red Sea, but already close to 40 °C (104 °F) in Luxor.
Other destinations in April: Jordan, Morocco or Tunisia in April, which is milder. More ideas: where to go in April. To plan your stay: our Egypt travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Egypt in April?
Hot and dry: about 28 °C (82 °F) in Cairo, 30 °C (86 °F) in Hurghada and 35 °C (95 °F) in Luxor in the afternoon, according to the 1991-2020 normals. It almost never rains.
Is it too hot in Luxor in April?
It is about 35 °C (95 °F) in the afternoon. Visits remain possible by starting early in the morning and avoiding the middle of the day.
Is April a good month for the Red Sea?
Yes, it is one of the best, with May, October and November: about 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon, warming water and near-certain sunshine.
What is the khamsin?
A hot, dry wind from the desert, mostly in spring. It lifts sand, reduces visibility and can raise the temperature for a few hours or a few days.
Is Egypt crowded in April?
Very much so during Easter and spring holiday periods, then crowds ease with the heat. Book early for those weeks.
Our sources
- Egyptian Meteorological Authority, 1991-2020 climate normals via the World Meteorological Organization (NOAA archive): Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh (data published on our page on when to go to Egypt)
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Egypt (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026, read on 26 October 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, Egypt country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025, read on 26 October 2026)
- Data taken from our page on when to go to Egypt
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.