Weather in Egypt in May

Is May a good time to visit Egypt?

May falls at the end of peak season in Egypt, this means that holiday specials and accommodation deals are sometimes offered as airlines and hotels try to make the most out of the end of season travellers holidaying in Egypt. The weather in Egypt in May is perfect for tourists visiting the Red Sea coast in Egypt, however desert trips are sometimes ill advised during the changing of the seasons as high winds can whip up sandstorms quite quickly. Despite the occasional desert wind, the warm spring weather in Egypt makes it an ideal holiday destination for May.

 

Climate in Egypt in May

The main aspect of Egypt’s weather in May that holidaymakers should be weary of is the khamsin desert wind which tends to blow for a few days in early May. This desert wind makes the sandy desert environment quite uncomfortable. Much of Egypt’s east coast along the Red Sea is protected from this wind enjoys perfect weather with average temperatures of 24 to 34°C (68 to 86°F). Sea temperatures in Sharm el-Sheikh are 24°C (75°F) in May and there are generally about eleven hours of sunlight each day throughout the month of May in Egypt. The average temperature in Cairo in May is 18 to 32°C (59 to 82°F), but areas further south and in the desert are generally hotter.

 

What’s on in Egypt in May

International Labour Day on May 1 is a public holiday throughout Egypt. Visitors should expect government offices and most shops to be closed on this day. However, resort areas along the Sinai peninsula and the Red Sea coast remain active. Sharm el Sheikh is host to a National Fishing Competition in May. Although most holidaymakers wouldn’t expect it, the popular resort of Sharm el Sheikh was once a humble fishing village and the fishing competition celebrates this aspect of the area’s heritage.

 

What to pack for a holiday in Egypt in May

With temperatures beginning to get close to the summer highs, Visitors need to pack very little for a holiday in Egypt in May. Cool, but protective clothing is best as the desert sun and sand can be quite harsh. Temperatures seldom drop below 24°C (75°F) which means that visitors wont really need to pack warm clothing. If you reach Egypt and find the cooler night temperatures slightly too cold then the best thing to do would be to head to one of the local markets and buy an Egyptian scarf to drape over your shoulders in the evenings. For a holiday on the Red Sea coast, pack swimwear, beach paraphernalia and lots of suncream.