Things to Do in Cairo in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Cairo
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect weather with daily highs of 23°C (74°F) and almost no rainfall - ideal for exploring pyramids and outdoor sites without summer's brutal 40°C+ (104°F+) heat
- Tourist crowds are 40% lighter than peak winter season (December-February), meaning shorter queues at Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum with better photo opportunities
- Hotel prices drop 25-35% compared to peak season while weather remains excellent - luxury Nile view rooms available for 30% less than February rates
- Spring winds keep air pollution levels lower, offering clearer views of monuments and better conditions for photography - visibility at Giza extends 15-20km (9-12 miles) on most days
Considerations
- Occasional sand storms (khamaseen winds) can occur 2-3 times in March, reducing visibility and creating dusty conditions for 1-2 days at a time
- Temperature swings of 10°C (18°F) between day and night require layered clothing - mornings start cool at 13°C (55°F) before warming significantly
- This is shoulder season transitioning to summer, so some Nile cruise operators reduce schedules and fewer evening cultural performances run compared to peak winter months
Best Activities in March
Giza Pyramids Complex Exploration
March offers the perfect sweet spot for pyramid visits - warm enough at 23°C (74°F) for comfortable walking but not the scorching summer heat that makes climbing inside pyramids unbearable. Clear skies provide excellent photography conditions, and moderate crowds mean you can actually get iconic shots without hundreds of people. The lower humidity (45%) makes the 2-3 hour walking tours much more pleasant.
Nile Felucca Sailing
March weather creates perfect sailing conditions on the Nile - consistent but gentle breezes, comfortable temperatures for 2-4 hour trips, and minimal chance of rain cancellations. The spring winds that occasionally bring sand also provide excellent sailing conditions. Sunset trips are particularly magical as temperatures cool from the daily high to a comfortable 18°C (64°F).
Islamic Cairo Walking Tours
The comfortable March temperatures make Islamic Cairo's narrow alleyways and mosque visits ideal - you can easily walk 5-8km (3-5 miles) through Khan el-Khalili and Al-Azhar areas without summer's exhausting heat. Lower tourist volumes mean better interaction with local artisans and clearer photography of architectural details. The reduced humidity preserves energy for climbing minarets.
Egyptian Museum Extended Visits
March's moderate weather makes combining indoor museum time with outdoor Cairo exploration perfect. You can spend 3-4 hours inside without feeling trapped by extreme weather outside. The museum's limited air conditioning is less critical when outdoor temperatures are comfortable. Tutankhamun exhibits require patience - March's smaller crowds mean better viewing opportunities.
Coptic Cairo Heritage Trail
Perfect weather for exploring this historic Christian quarter's narrow streets and ancient churches. March temperatures allow comfortable 3-4 hour walking tours through sites like Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue. The lower humidity helps preserve old manuscripts and artifacts on display, and reduced crowds mean better access to guide explanations and photo opportunities.
Saqqara and Memphis Day Trips
March weather is ideal for these extensive outdoor archaeological sites located 30km (19 miles) south of Cairo. Comfortable walking temperatures for exploring the Step Pyramid complex and open-air Memphis museum. The clear spring air provides excellent visibility across the vast Saqqara necropolis, and you can easily spend 4-5 hours outdoors without heat exhaustion concerns.
March Events & Festivals
Sham el-Nessim Spring Festival
Egypt's ancient spring celebration typically falls in late March or early April (date varies with Coptic Easter). Families picnic in parks, eat traditional foods like feseekh (fermented fish), and paint eggs. Join locals in Al-Azhar Park or along the Nile Corniche for authentic cultural immersion.