When to go · Cairo
Cairo in May
Mixed month. Hot from mid-morning.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 33° / 19°
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 0
- Crowds
- Low
- Egypt overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Egypt overall
Verdict
Hot from mid-morning.
Weather in May
- CairoHighs around 33 °C, lows around 19 °C, rain on about 0 days
- Cairo and the Delta, Egypt · Cairo, Giza, Saqqarahot
Mild winters, hot dusty summers around 35 °C; spring khamsin winds (Mar–May) bring sand haze some days.
Spring season
Warming quickly; Sham el-Nessim brings families out to parks and the Corniche.
Watch: Khamsin dust storms can reduce visibility and air quality for a day or two.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Ramadan check
Moves yearly; check this year's dates · Citywide
Shorter shop and museum hours by day, restaurants closed until sunset, then a livelier city until late; no eating or drinking in public by day.
Eid al-Adha big impact
About 16–19 May 2027 (lunar — check) · Egypt
Several days off; transport and resorts booked out.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Egypt overall
- Low
- Prices · Egypt overall
- Medium
Egypt overall: Luxor hits 40 °C; temples at dawn only. Eid al-Adha about 16 May 2027 fills transport (check).
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen