Alexandria is Egypt's second-largest city, a Mediterranean port stretching along a broad curving corniche on the country's northern coast. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, it was once home to the ancient Great Library and the Lighthouse of Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today Alexandria mixes Greco-Roman ruins, Ottoman-era forts, Belle Époque architecture, and a lively seafood and fishing culture along a coastline of sandy bays.
Alexandria has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Koppen Csa), distinct from the desert climate found inland across most of Egypt. Its position directly on the Mediterranean coast brings hot, dry, humid summers (July-August highs around 30-32°C) tempered by sea breezes, and mild, wet winters (January lows around 9-10°C) that bring most of the city's modest annual rainfall. Alexandria receives more rain than almost anywhere else in Egypt, concentrated between November and March, while summers are essentially rain-free. Humidity is consistently higher than inland Egypt due to the coastal location.
Best time to visit
Overall Best: April-May and September-October
Reasons:
- Warm, comfortable temperatures (19-27°C) ideal for walking the Corniche and visiting outdoor sites
- Sea warm enough for swimming from May into October
- Lower rainfall than winter and less intense heat and humidity than peak summer
- Beaches and major sites noticeably less crowded than the July-August peak
- Better light for photography along the harbor and Downtown architecture
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
14°C/57°F
Coolest and wettest month; mild days but chilly, windy evenings with the highest chance of rain and rough seas
February
14°C/57°F
Still cool and rainy, though rainfall begins to ease; fewer tourists and lower prices
March
16°C/61°F
Transitional month with warming days but occasional khamsin dust winds and lingering rain showers
April
19°C/66°F
Pleasant and mostly dry; comfortable for sightseeing along the Corniche and Downtown before summer heat
May
22°C/72°F
Warm, dry, and sunny with the sea starting to warm for swimming; fewer crowds than summer
June
26°C/79°F
Warm and increasingly humid; beach season begins in earnest with lengthening daylight
July
28°C/82°F
Hot and humid with peak beach crowds; sea breezes offer some relief from the heat
August
29°C/84°F
Hottest month; busiest beaches and highest accommodation prices of the year, especially around Egyptian public holidays
September
27°C/81°F
Warm and pleasant with the sea still swimmable; crowds ease noticeably after mid-month - one of the best months overall
October
24°C/75°F
Comfortable temperatures, generally dry, and a great time for sightseeing without peak-summer crowds
November
20°C/68°F
Mild but rain begins returning; still pleasant for daytime walking with cooler evenings
December
16°C/61°F
Cool and increasingly wet; mild by international winter standards but noticeably damper and windier than the rest of Egypt
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Mild, increasingly warm temperatures (18-25°C) with occasional khamsin winds bringing dusty, hot spells from the desert. Rain tapers off by April. A pleasant time to explore the Corniche and outdoor sites before summer heat and crowds.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Hot and humid (28-32°C) with sea breezes moderating the heat somewhat compared to Cairo. This is peak beach season for Egyptian and regional tourists, and public beaches and the Corniche get very crowded, especially in August.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
September and October remain warm and pleasant (22-27°C) with the sea still swimmable and crowds thinning after the summer peak. Rain begins returning by November as the wet season starts.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Mild by European standards (10-18°C) but Alexandria's wettest and windiest season, with storms bringing rain, rough seas, and occasional flooding on the Corniche. Skies are grayer than the rest of Egypt's typically sunny winter.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- Jul-Aug (Egyptian and regional beach tourism peak, especially around school holidays), plus Egyptian public holidays and Eid periods
- Shoulder Season
- Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct (comfortable weather with lighter crowds - generally the best times to visit)
- Low Season
- Nov-Mar (wettest and coolest months, fewest tourists, lowest prices)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Alexandria International Film Festival
A long-running Mediterranean-focused film festival held in Alexandria, drawing regional and international filmmakers and screenings across the city
Ramadan and Eid celebrations
Alexandria's Downtown and Corniche take on a festive evening atmosphere during Ramadan, with iftar gatherings and lit decorations; Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha bring family beach outings and busy public spaces
Summer beach season peak
Egyptian and regional vacationers flock to Alexandria's Corniche and beaches during the school summer holidays, making this the city's busiest and liveliest period
Alexandria Cultural events around Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina hosts periodic exhibitions, conferences, and cultural programming through the autumn shoulder season, when the library's outdoor plaza is especially pleasant