When to go to Hurghada?

The Egyptian resort of Hurghada on the Red Sea is renowned for its sunny climate. The weather is warm and sunny all year round, ideal for a pleasant stay by the sea. But before planning your trip, it’ s important to know when to leave for Hurghada.

We’ll give you all the essential information you need to know before booking your plane ticket, including seasonality, weather, tourist numbers and the events that punctuate local life.

Sunshine and temperatures

The climate is subtropical desert, with mild winters and hot summers. Temperatures are high, ranging from 20° in winter to 37° in summer.

Peak temperatures can reach 40° in July and August. This arid climate can quickly become stifling in full sun. Note that if you opt for an excursion to Luxor, a city further inland, it will be extremely hot at this time.

What makes the heat bearable is the humidity level, which fluctuates between 15% and 30% at its hottest, particularly in July and August. To give you an idea: in France, the humidity level is around 70%. It’s very hot in Hurghada, but the air is bearable and you don’t sweat much.

With 4,000 hours of sunshine a year, the sun shines for most of the year. Meanwhile, sandstorms and cloudy skies are common. Rain is rare: it almost never rains in Hurghada, with a few exceptions in September, October and May. As for the desert, it is windswept and pleasant.

The tourist influx

If you’re wondering when to go to Hurghada, you should also take into account the tourist season, which runs mainly from April to October. There is also a peak in December.

More generally, tourists come all year round because of the sunshine. The busiest months are July and August. If it’s possible for you to come outside the school vacations, we strongly recommend it.

If you wish to book during the peak summer season, we recommend that you do so in advance, as demand is high.

To avoid the crowds and still enjoy the warmth, choose spring or autumn. For more information on booking a plane ticket to Hurghada, please consult our dedicated guide.

Ramadan, also a factor when deciding when to go to Hurghada

Ramadan, which is a period of fasting and one of the five pillars of Islam, is observed in Egypt, as in most countries of the Maghreb and the Near and Middle East. One month a year, Muslims devote themselves to the “holy month par excellence”, with prayer in the spotlight.

This event always takes place in the ninth month of the Hegirian calendar. This calendar uses the lunar calendar to determine the fasting dates. These change every year, influencing when to go to Hurghada.

So find out the dates in advance and plan your stay around this event. Note that during this period, the atmosphere is not the same, as the streets are virtually empty during the day and most restaurants and stores are closed. But don’t panic – you’ll always find something to eat!

However, out of respect, avoid eating in the street. All-inclusive hotels still have their buffets. On the adventure front, excursions are still available for tourists, even if some only take place in the morning.

Although we don’t recommend this period for exploring the city, it’s a good alternative if you want to live at the same pace as the locals. In the evening, you can celebrate iftar, the first meal of the day, served in most restaurants.