Things to Do in Cairo in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in Cairo
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect weather window - October sits right between the scorching summer heat and winter tourist crowds. Daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F) drop to comfortable 20°C (68°F) evenings, making it actually pleasant to explore the Pyramids midday without feeling like you're melting into the sand.
- Ramadan typically falls outside October in 2026, meaning restaurants operate normal hours, you can eat and drink publicly during the day, and the city maintains its regular rhythm. This matters more than most guidebooks admit - trying to find lunch during Ramadan as a tourist can be genuinely frustrating.
- Shoulder season pricing without shoulder season crowds - hotels drop rates by 20-30% compared to December-February peak, but October doesn't feel empty. You'll still wait in line at the Egyptian Museum, but we're talking 15 minutes instead of 45. Flight prices from Europe typically run USD 450-650 roundtrip versus USD 700+ in winter.
- The Nile reaches ideal levels after summer - felucca sailing is particularly good this month, and sunset cruises get those postcard-perfect reflections. The river actually looks inviting rather than the muddy brown you sometimes see in late spring.
Considerations
- Still genuinely hot by most standards - that 30°C (86°F) average means midday at the Pyramids or Luxor temples can push 35°C (95°F) in direct sun. If you struggle with heat or have mobility issues that make you move slowly in sun exposure, this might not be your month despite being cooler than summer.
- Dust storms happen - not frequently, but October sits in a transitional weather pattern where you might get a khamsin wind event. These aren't dangerous, but they do reduce visibility, make outdoor sites less photogenic, and leave a fine layer of sand on everything including your sinuses.
- Islamic New Year typically falls in late October 2026, which means government offices and some museums close for 2-3 days. Worth checking exact dates when planning - you don't want to arrive the day everything shuts down.
Best Activities in October
Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Complex Tours
October mornings at Giza are about as good as it gets - arrive at opening (8am) when temperatures sit around 22°C (72°F) and the light hits the pyramids at that golden angle every photographer wants. By 11am it's warm but manageable, unlike summer when it's borderline dangerous. The Great Pyramid interior stays relatively cool year-round, but October means you won't emerge sweating through your clothes. Most importantly, October crowds are thick enough that you feel the energy of the place, but thin enough that you can actually get photos without 47 people in your frame.
Egyptian Museum and Downtown Cairo Walking Tours
The Egyptian Museum's lack of modern climate control actually works in your favor in October - it's never uncomfortably hot inside, unlike summer when the upper floors feel stuffy. October also marks when Cairo's downtown walking tours become genuinely pleasant rather than an endurance test. The architecture in Tahrir Square, along Talaat Harb Street, and through the old colonial quarter deserves proper attention, which you can actually give it when you're not desperately seeking shade every five minutes. Evening walks through Islamic Cairo (Al-Muizz Street, Khan el-Khalili bazaar) are particularly good - that 20°C (68°F) evening temperature means you'll happily wander for hours.
Nile Felucca Sailing and Sunset Cruises
October Nile conditions are ideal - water levels stabilize after summer, winds are consistent enough for good sailing but not so strong that it's choppy, and those comfortable evening temperatures mean sunset cruises are actually relaxing rather than you either freezing or sweating. The traditional felucca sailboats catch the breeze perfectly this time of year. Sunset around 5:30-6pm in October means you can do a late afternoon sail (4-6pm) that captures golden hour without cutting into dinner plans.
Saqqara and Memphis Ancient Sites Day Trips
Saqqara gets overlooked by tourists doing the Giza-only circuit, which is their loss and your gain in October. The Step Pyramid complex is less crowded, more spread out (so you're not packed in), and frankly more interesting archaeologically. October weather makes the 45-minute drive south from Cairo and the extensive walking between tombs and pyramids completely manageable. The recently reopened tombs here have better-preserved colors than anything at Giza. Memphis, the ancient capital, sits nearby and takes maybe 45 minutes - worth combining into one day trip.
Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo Heritage Walking Tours
October is when exploring Cairo's medieval Islamic quarter and the older Coptic Christian area becomes genuinely enjoyable rather than a sweaty ordeal. The narrow covered streets of Khan el-Khalili bazaar stay naturally cooler, and you'll actually want to stop and browse rather than rush through. The Citadel of Saladin offers spectacular city views, and in October's clearer air (less summer haze) you can sometimes see all the way to the Pyramids. Coptic Cairo's churches and the Coptic Museum deserve a full morning - the Ben Ezra Synagogue and Hanging Church are architectural gems that most tourists skip because they're exhausted by the time they get there.
Alexandria Day Trips
October makes the 3-hour drive to Alexandria worthwhile - the Mediterranean coastal city runs about 3-5°C (5-9°F) cooler than Cairo, and the sea breeze is legitimately refreshing. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (modern library), Qaitbay Citadel on the water, and the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are all worth seeing, but honestly the main appeal is just being by the Mediterranean eating fresh seafood after several days in landlocked Cairo. October sea temperatures around 26°C (79°F) mean some people still swim, though beaches get quieter than summer.
October Events & Festivals
Islamic New Year (Muharram 1)
The Islamic New Year typically falls in late October 2026 (exact date depends on moon sighting, likely October 27-28). This isn't a major tourist spectacle, but it is a public holiday when government offices, banks, and some museums close for 1-2 days. The Egyptian Museum and Pyramids usually stay open, but smaller sites might not. The atmosphere in Cairo becomes noticeably quieter as locals spend time with family. Some restaurants and shops close early or all day, particularly in more conservative neighborhoods.
Cairo International Film Festival
If your dates align with late October into November, the Cairo International Film Festival brings an interesting energy to the city. This is one of the oldest film festivals in the Middle East, screening international and Arab cinema at venues around downtown Cairo. Not something to plan your trip around, but if you're already there and interested in film, it's worth checking the schedule. Tickets are surprisingly affordable (EGP 50-100) and it gives you a window into contemporary Egyptian and Arab culture you won't get at tourist sites.