Things to Do in Cairo in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Cairo
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect outdoor exploration weather - daytime temperatures around 19°C (66°F) mean you can comfortably walk through archaeological sites for 4-5 hours without the brutal summer heat that typically drives tourists indoors by 11am. The Giza Plateau and Saqqara are actually enjoyable in January.
- Minimal rain disruption - with only 5 mm (0.2 inches) across the month, you'll likely experience maybe one or two brief showers maximum. Unlike Europe's winter gloom, Cairo gives you reliable sunshine for planning day trips to Luxor or Alexandria without weather backup plans.
- Cooler evenings make Nile-side dining and rooftop experiences genuinely pleasant - around 10°C (50°F) after sunset means you can sit outside at Khan el-Khalili or Zamalek cafes without sweating through your clothes or needing aggressive air conditioning.
- Shoulder season pricing on accommodations - January sits between the Christmas/New Year peak and the February surge, so you'll find hotels in Garden City and Downtown offering 20-30% lower rates than high season, particularly in the first two weeks of the month.
Considerations
- Mornings can be surprisingly chilly - that 10°C (50°F) low means you'll want layers for early starts at the pyramids. Many tourists show up with only shorts and t-shirts, then spend the first hour shivering before the sun properly warms things up around 9am.
- The humidity feels oddly high for a desert city - 70% humidity combined with variable conditions means some days feel muggy and uncomfortable, particularly if you're walking through crowded areas like Islamic Cairo where buildings trap moisture. Not the crisp desert air many visitors expect.
- Occasional sandstorms can reduce visibility and coat everything in fine dust - while not frequent in January, when they do hit, outdoor photography becomes frustrating and the air quality drops noticeably. If you're traveling specifically for photography, this is worth considering.
Best Activities in January
Giza Plateau and Saqqara Archaeological Tours
January is genuinely the best month for extended pyramid exploration. Summer temperatures make afternoon visits at these exposed sites borderline dangerous, but in January you can comfortably spend 4-5 hours walking between the Great Pyramid, Sphinx, and lesser-known tombs without heat exhaustion. The morning light at 8-9am is perfect for photography with fewer heat haze distortions. Crowds are manageable compared to peak season, though weekends still get busy.
Nile Felucca Sailing
The traditional sailboat experience is actually pleasant in January rather than sweltering. Late afternoon trips from 3-5pm catch decent wind and comfortable temperatures around 17°C (63°F). You'll want a light jacket for sunset cruises as temperatures drop quickly once the sun goes down. The water level tends to be stable in January, and visibility is usually good unless there's been a sandstorm.
Islamic Cairo Walking Tours
The medieval quarter with its narrow alleys and covered markets is manageable in January's cooler weather. Summer makes these stone corridors unbearably hot, but January temperatures let you explore Al-Muizz Street, the Citadel, and Sultan Hassan Mosque complex for 3-4 hours comfortably. Mornings around 9-10am are ideal - still cool but with enough warmth to enjoy outdoor sections. The variable humidity can make covered souqs feel a bit stuffy, but it's tolerable.
Egyptian Museum and Indoor Cultural Sites
January's variable weather makes having solid indoor options essential for those occasional rainy or dusty days. The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, the new Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza, and the Coptic Museum all offer climate-controlled environments. The UV index of 8 means taking midday breaks indoors is smart anyway. These sites get crowded between 11am-2pm regardless of season, so early morning or late afternoon visits work better.
Alexandria Day Trips
The Mediterranean coast is particularly nice in January - cooler than Cairo by 2-3°C and with sea breezes that make walking the Corniche genuinely pleasant. The 3-hour drive each way is worth it for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel, and seafood lunch overlooking the harbor. Rain is slightly more likely in Alexandria than Cairo in January, but still minimal. The coastal air feels fresher than Cairo's urban humidity.
Khan el-Khalili Evening Market Visits
The famous bazaar is best experienced after sunset in January when temperatures drop to comfortable levels around 12-14°C (54-57°F). The evening energy picks up around 6pm and continues until 10pm or later. January's cooler weather means you can browse spice shops, metalwork stalls, and textile vendors without the oppressive heat that makes summer evening markets exhausting. The surrounding cafes and street food vendors are busiest 7-9pm.
January Events & Festivals
Coptic Christmas Celebrations
Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th following the Julian calendar. Churches throughout Cairo hold special midnight masses on January 6th, with the largest celebrations at St. Mark's Cathedral in Abbasiya. The atmosphere is festive with hymns, incense, and traditional foods afterward. Visitors are generally welcome to observe services respectfully, though churches get extremely crowded. The streets around major churches have food vendors and celebrations continuing into January 7th.
January 25th Revolution Anniversary
The anniversary of the 2011 revolution is observed on January 25th. While no longer an official holiday, you'll notice increased security presence in Tahrir Square and around government buildings. Some demonstrations or commemorations may occur, though the political climate has shifted significantly since 2011. Worth being aware of for planning purposes - some areas may have restricted access or traffic disruptions on this date.