To compare with the other seasons, see our guide to the best time to visit Egypt.
Egypt in February is one of the best months for the temples. Luxor averages 25.3 °C (78 °F) in the afternoon and 8.9 °C (48 °F) at night, with virtually no rain. Cairo is cooler, and the Red Sea is mild but windy. February is ideal for a Nile cruise; just plan ahead for school holidays and, in 2027, Ramadan.
February falls in the middle of the high season for cultural travel. The heat has not started to build yet, skies are clear, and the sun-alignment phenomenon at Abu Simbel takes place around 22 February. The downside: the best-known sites are very busy and prices are high.
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Egypt in February: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ ideal for Luxor, Aswan and a Nile cruise
- Luxor: 25.3 °C (78 °F) in the afternoon, 8.9 °C (48 °F) at night, 0.4 mm (0.0 in) of rain
- Red Sea: mild air, water at its coolest, frequent wind
- Event: sunlight reaches the back of the Abu Simbel sanctuary around 22 February
- Plan ahead: winter school holidays and the likely start of Ramadan in 2027
- In your suitcase: a jacket for mornings and evenings
Weather in Egypt in February, region by region
For Luxor we give the February normals. For the other stations we give the range between January and March, as published on our best time to visit page: February falls between the two. To read that range more closely, the weather in Egypt in January gives the starting point of these normals, station by station.
| City | February | January → March (max / min) | What for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxor | 25.3 / 8.9 °C (78 / 48 °F), 0.4 mm (0.0 in) | 22.8 / 7.1 → 29.7 / 12.8 °C (73 / 45 → 85 / 55 °F) | Temples, Valley of the Kings, hot-air balloon |
| Aswan | — | 23.2 / 10.0 → 30.3 / 15.5 °C (74 / 50 → 87 / 60 °F) | Cruise, Philae, Abu Simbel |
| Cairo | — | 18.9 / 10.1 → 23.8 / 13.2 °C (66 / 50 → 75 / 56 °F) | Pyramids, museums |
| Hurghada | — | 22.2 / 11.6 → 26.2 / 15.1 °C (72 / 53 → 79 / 59 °F) | Beach, diving (cool water) |
| Sharm El Sheikh | — | 22.2 / 13.8 → 26.4 / 17.3 °C (72 / 57 → 80 / 63 °F) | Beach, diving (cool water) |
In Upper Egypt the gap between day and night is large: close to 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon, but under 10 °C (50 °F) at dawn, when trips leave for the Valley of the Kings or hot-air balloon flights. In Cairo, a few millimetres of rain are still possible in winter. On the Red Sea, the air is mild but the wind cools evenings and boat trips.
Things to do in Egypt in February
- Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan (Edfu, Kom Ombo): the best period of the year runs from November to February.
- Luxor: Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple, all to be visited without the heat.
- Abu Simbel: around 22 February, the sun lights up the back of the sanctuary. The site is very busy then.
- Cairo and Giza: pleasant in the afternoon; bring an extra layer for the morning.
- Red Sea: good for mild sunshine; for diving and snorkelling, a thick wetsuit is useful.
Best avoided: a beach-only trip if you want warm sea water. For that, aim for April-May or October-November.
Ramadan and events in February
The Abu Simbel sun phenomenon takes place around 22 February. Ramadan follows the lunar calendar and moves forward by about 11 days each year; in 2027 it is expected to begin in February, on a date confirmed only once the moon is sighted. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026), it is culturally insensitive to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours in Ramadan, and it is advisable not to play loud music, dance or swear in public.
Crowds and prices in February
Crowds are very heavy and prices high, especially during winter school holidays in Europe and North America. Book flights and your cruise 3 to 5 months ahead: the best-rated boats fill up quickly.
What to pack for Egypt in February
- A jacket or sweater for mornings, evenings and nights on the boat
- Clothes covering shoulders and knees for mosques and traditional neighbourhoods
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Walking shoes for the sites
- Entry formalities (visa and passport) depend on your nationality: see our page on the entry requirements for Egypt
A typical day on the Nile in February
Visits start early: departure around 6 a.m. for the Valley of the Kings or the hot-air balloon flight, when it is still below 10 °C (50 °F). Keep a jacket on until about 9 a.m.
At midday it is around 25 °C (77 °F) in Luxor: the temples are comfortable to visit, but the sun is still strong at sites with no shade. A hat and water remain essential.
In the evening the temperature drops quickly. On the deck of the boat, a warm layer is necessary. Stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo often take place late in the day.
Our tips for a successful trip in February
- Book your cruise early, especially during winter school holidays.
- Aim for Abu Simbel outside 22 February if you are not set on the sun phenomenon: the site will be less crowded.
- Drink only bottled water: the U.S. Department of State says that in many areas tap water is not safe to drink, while bottled water and beverages are generally safe (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025). The UK FCDO lists dengue among the health risks in Egypt (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026), so protect yourself from mosquito bites.
- If Ramadan falls during your stay, keep a low profile in public during the day, as the FCDO advises.
If February does not suit you
January is a little cooler and just as popular after the holidays. March is still excellent, with close to 30 °C (86 °F) in Luxor and the first possible khamsin episodes. Egypt in December is mild everywhere, with very heavy crowds over the holidays.
Other ideas for February: the weather in Marrakech in February, Cape Verde in February for the beach, or Oman. More ideas: where to go in February. To plan your route, see our Egypt travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Egypt in February?
Mild and dry: 25.3 °C (78 °F) in the afternoon and 8.9 °C (48 °F) at night in Luxor, according to the 1991-2020 normals. Cairo is cooler, and the Red Sea is mild but windy.
Is it hot in Hurghada in February?
The air is mild (between 22 °C (72 °F) in January and 26 °C (79 °F) in March in the afternoon, according to the normals), but the water is at its coolest and the wind cools evenings. Our page on travelling to Egypt in March covers the following month.
What is the weather like in Cairo in February?
Cool in the morning and mild in the afternoon: between 19 °C (66 °F) in January and 24 °C (75 °F) in March in average maximum temperature. Bring a jacket.
Is February the best month for a Nile cruise?
It is one of the best, along with November to January: moderate heat and clear skies. Book early, as demand is high.
Can you see the Abu Simbel phenomenon in February?
Yes, around 22 February, when the sun lights up the back of the sanctuary. The site is very busy then.
Our sources
- Egyptian Meteorological Authority, via the World Meteorological Organization 1991-2020 climate normals (NOAA archive): Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh stations
- Health and safety information read on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Egypt country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), and UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Egypt (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026)
- Calendars taken from our page on the best time to visit Egypt
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.