Anywhere south of Cairo during the summer months from June through August, is extremely hot, particularly Luxor and Aswan where daytime temperatures climb up to 40°C (104°F). In Cairo, the mixture of heat, dust, pollution, and noise makes walking the city streets a genuine test of stamina. Then again, a sweltering sun might be precisely what you are looking for, a week or two of lounging on the beaches of southern Sinai, the Alexandrian coast or the Red Sea, however, be prepared to fight for hotel rooms.

When visiting somewhere such as Luxor, winter is by far the most comfortable time. Cairo isn't quite as pleasing, with cloudy skies and cold evenings, because of the location up on the Mediterranean coast Alexandria is known for regular rainstorms resulting in flooded, muddy streets. Even Sinai's shores are too chilly for sunbathing in January. March through May or September through November is the greatest time to enjoy the warm days without the crush of bodies on the beaches.

• Best Time to Travel to Alexandria
• Best Time to Travel to Aswan
• Best Time to Travel to Cairo
• Best Time to Travel to Dahab
• Best Time to Travel to Hurghada
• Best Time to Travel to Luxor
• Best Time to Travel to Redsea
• Best Time to Travel to ShermElSheikh
• Best Time to Travel to Suez
• Best Time to Travel to Tabaheights

HOLIDAYS

Date 2008 Occasion

January - Coptic Christmas Day*

March - Easter Sunday - Easter Monday

April - Sinai Liberation Day

May - Labour Day

June - Evacuation Day/Liberation Day

July - Revolution Day

August - Flooding of the Nile (Wafa'a el Nil)*

September - Coptic New Year (September 12 in Leap Years)*

October - Eid ul-Fitr

October - Armed Forces Day

October - Suez Victory Day

December - Eid ul-Adha

December - Victory Day

December - Islamic New Year

*Coptic Christian Holidays

Weekend Friday, Saturday